초록 ▼

Apparatus for brewing a beverage is disclosed. Typically, the brewed beverage is coffee, but it might be hot tea, iced tea, or soup. The beverage is brewed by delivering heated brew water to a product to be brewed by passing the heated brew water through the product to extract flavor therefrom. The

Apparatus for brewing a beverage is disclosed. Typically, the brewed beverage is coffee, but it might be hot tea, iced tea, or soup. The beverage is brewed by delivering heated brew water to a product to be brewed by passing the heated brew water through the product to extract flavor therefrom. The brewed product is dispensed into a brewed beverage container. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, a controllable inlet valve for water entering the apparatus, and a controllable brew valve for delivery of heated brew water to the product. The inlet valve and the brew valve are under the control of the microprocessor, so that they may be opened or closed in keeping with signals sent thereto by the microprocessor. There is a control panel for the microprocessor, having a plurality of switches, each of which has a designated primary function for controlling a specific predesignated operating function of the brewing apparatus. Also, upon successful completion of a conditioning sequence of switch manipulations, each of the plurality of switches has a designated secondary function for controlling the microprocessor in setting specific operating parameters for specific predesignated operating features of the brewing apparatus. There is a timer for controlling the timing of any function requiring timing control under the control of the microprocessor; and a real time clock for permitting real time setting of any function requiring a real time setting control under the control of the microprocessor. The microprocessor may be controlled so that the specific predesignated operating functions, and the specific predesignated operating features of the brewing apparatus, may be preset for a specific type of brewing apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for brewing a beverage and, when the beverage to be brewed is to be a warm beverage, for keeping a brewed beverage warm, wherein a beverage is brewed by heating water and delivering heated brew water to a product to be brewed by passing said heated brew water th

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for brewing a beverage and, when the beverage to be brewed is to be a warm beverage, for keeping a brewed beverage warm, wherein a beverage is brewed by heating water and delivering heated brew water to a product to be brewed by passing said heated brew water through said product to extract flavor therefrom, and dispensing a brewed product into a brewed beverage container therefor;wherein said apparatus comprises a microprocessor, a water heater tank having a controllable heating element therein, delivery means operatively coupled to said water heater tank to initiate a brewing cycle and to deliver a predetermined volume of heated brew water which is heated at least to a first predetermined temperature below boiling to said product during each selected brewing cycle, temperature detection means for determining the temperature of said heated water at any time under the control of said microprocessor and for initiating a heating cycle for said heated water whenever its temperature drops below a second predetermined temperature which is lower than said first predetermined temperature, and actuator means to preclude delivery of said heated water to said product when the temperature thereof is below said second predetermined temperature, said apparatus further comprising:a brew chamber for retaining said product therein, wherein heated brew water will pass through said product in order to extract flavor therefrom, and wherein said heated brew water subsequently will pass from said brew chamber into said brewed beverage container;a controllable inlet valve for water entering said heater tank, said inlet valve being under the control of said microprocessor, whereby said controllable inlet valve can be opened or closed in keeping with signals sent thereto by said microprocessor;a controllable brew valve for delivery of said heated brew water to said product, said brew valve being under the control of said microprocessor, whereby said controllable brew valve can be opened or closed in keeping with signals sent thereto by said microprocessor;a control panel for said microprocessor, said control panel having a plurality of switches each having a designated primary program function for controlling a specific predesignated operating function of said brewing apparatus; and wherein, upon successful completion of a predetermined sequence of switch manipulations, each of said plurality of switches also has a designated secondary program function for controlling said microprocessor in setting further specific operating parameters for said brewing apparatus so as to enable respective specific predesignated operating features thereof;timer means associated with said microprocessor; anda real time clock associated with said microprocessor for permitting real time setting of any function requiring a real time setting control under the control of said microprocessor;wherein said microprocessor may be controlled so that the specific predesignated operating functions of said brewing apparatus, and specific predesignated operating features of said brewing apparatus, may be preset for a specific type of brewing apparatus.