초록 ▼

A multicontrolled, fresh beverage brewer (20) with a dispense manifold heater (104) for selectively instantaneously heating pre-heated hot water from a hot water tank (29) immediately before the preheated hot water is dispensed into the brew basket (49) in sensed temperature of the beverage within t

A multicontrolled, fresh beverage brewer (20) with a dispense manifold heater (104) for selectively instantaneously heating pre-heated hot water from a hot water tank (29) immediately before the preheated hot water is dispensed into the brew basket (49) in sensed temperature of the beverage within the brew basket the preheated water immediately prior to being added to the brew basket, a photosensor (106) for sensing a level of light conductance of the beverage for controlling at least one of a brew dispense valve (37), a bypass valve (38) and a brew basket drain hole closure (94) in response to photosensor sensing a level of light conductance level of the beverage, and brew basket pressurization system (50, 69, 51) for selectively pressurizing the brew basket (49) to selectively accelerate the flow rate of hot water though an ingredient within the brew basket. A rotary spray head drive (110) rotates a rotating spray assembly to provide an even distribution of hot water over the surface of the ingredient, and a spray distribution plate employs open channels of differing length (156) to channel the water to different desired location are open for easy cleaning and elimination of clogging from lime residue. A brew basket filter holder (72) insert for insertion into the filter holder has a cylindrical, water impervious wall to prevent side passage of the hot water through the layer of beverage ingredient.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly under control of an electronic controller during a dispense period of a

The invention claimed is: 1. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly under control of an electronic controller during a dispense period of a brew cycle, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: a pressure source; means for selectively directly applying positive air pressure from the pressure source to vary the air pressure within the brew basket during the brew cycle; and means including the electronic controller for automatically controlling the application of pressure to the brew basket during the brew cycle by the selectively applying means to selectively vary the rate of seepage of hot water through a layer of beverage ingredient within the brew basket during the brew cycle. 2. The hot beverage brewer of claim 1 in which the controlling means includes means for sensing pressure within the brew basket during the brew cycle, and in which the electronic controller includes means responsive to the pressure sensing means for automatically controlling the application of pressure to the brew basket by the selectively applying means during the brew cycle. 3. The hot beverage brewer of claim 2 in which the pressure sensing means senses the pressure during the brew cycle at least one of (a) an outlet from the pressure source when in pressure communication with the brew basket; (b) an outlet from the pressure source when in pressure communication with the brew basket; (c) a solenoid controlled valve when in pressure communication with the brew basket; and (d) the brew basket. 4. The hot beverage brewer of claim 1 in which the brew basket assembly has a bottom with a beverage drain hole, or opening, and including a closure gate carried by the bottom and mounted to the bottom by mounting members for sliding movement between a closed position and an open position. 5. The hot beverage brewer of claim 4 including electronic means for sensing the level of beverage, and means within the controller responsive to the level sensing means to control the timing of opening and closing of at least one of (a) a hot water dispense valve, (b) a brew bypass valve and (c) the brew basket closure gate. 6. The hot beverage brewer of claim 5 in which the control of elements (a), (b) and (c) is in concert with preprogrammed brewing cycles and the application of pressure to the brew basket assembly by the selectively applying means. 7. The hot beverage brewer of claim 6 in which the controlling means controls the selectively applying means to apply pressure to the brew basket assembly to accelerate discharge rate of beverage from the brew basket one of (a) once after a single period of accumulation, (b) periodically after a plurality of periods of accumulation, and (c) otherwise intermittently. 8. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly under control of an electronic controller, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: a pressure source; means for selectively applying positive air pressure from the pressure source to the brew basket, the selectively applying means including a special dispense head assembly with a manifold with an inlet and an outlet that communicates directly with an open top brew basket assembly, and a solenoid controlled pressure valve with at least one outlet in pressure communication with the brew basket assembly; and means for controlling the application of pressure to the brew basket by the selectively applying means to control the rate of seepage of hot water through a layer of beverage ingredient within the brew basket. 9. The hot beverage brewer of claim 8 in which the controlling means includes at least one pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at the at least one outlet that is fed back from head space above the beverage within the brew basket assembly. 10. The hot beverage brewer of claim 1 in which the pressure source includes an electrically powered pneumatic pump, and the controlling means includes means for controlling the application of power to the pneumatic pump. 11. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly under control of an electronic controller, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: a pressure source including an electrically powered pneumatic pump a pressure tank that is pressurized by the pneumatic pump; means for selectively applying positive air pressure from the pressure source to the brew basket; and means for controlling the application of pressure to the brew basket by the selectively applying means, including means for controlling the application of power to the pneumatic pump and a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure in the pressure tank, to control the rate of seepage of hot water through a layer of beverage ingredient within the brew basket, said pressure in the pressure tank being less than the pressure in the brew basket due to leakage between the brew basket assembly and the pressure tank. 12. The hot beverage brewer of claim 11 including means to create a partially airtight seal between the pressure source and headspace within the brew basket assembly. 13. The hot beverage brewer of claim 12 including a housing with an underside, and in which said seal creating means includes means carried by the underside has an encircling mounting member that has a size and configuration that matches a mating mounting member carried by the brew basket assembly and surrounding an upwardly facing opening of the brew basket assembly, and said mating mounting means carried by the brew basket assembly releasably attaching the brew basket assembly to the encircling mating edge in abutting, sealed relationship. 14. The hot beverage brewer of claim 13 in which the pressure source that has an outlet at the underside of the housing and laterally located within the encircling mating member. 15. The hot beverage brewer of claim 14 including a resilient seal member carried by at least one of the encircling mounting member of the housing and the mating mounting member of the brew basket. 16. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly under control of an electronic controller, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: a pressure source; means for selectively applying positive air pressure from the pressure source to the brew basket; and means for controlling the application of pressure to the brew basket by the selectively applying means to control the rate of seepage of hot water through a layer of beverage ingredient within the brew basket, the controlling means including means for timing the brew cycle and selectively applying pressure to the brew basket assembly at preselected times during the brewing cycle to speed the rate at which the water percolates though the beverage ingredient during preselected time periods during the brew cycle in order to maximize uniform extraction and optimum flavor. 17. The hot beverage brewer of claim 16 in which the controlling means includes a microprocessor controller that is programmed to speed the flow during a latter part of a dispense period of the brew cycle after more than half of the hot water to be added to the brew basket has passed the a hot water dispense valve. 18. The hot beverage brewer of claim 16 in which the controlling means is programmed to increase the pressure within the brew basket assembly a drip period of a brew cycle after all of the water has passed into the brew basket but before it has all passed out of the brew basket assembly. 19. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly under control of an electronic controller, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: a pressure source; means for selectively applying positive air pressure from the pressure source to the brew basket; means for controlling the application of pressure to the brew basket by the selectively applying means to control the rate of seepage of hot water through a layer of beverage ingredient within the brew basket, and in which said brew basket assembly has a bottom with a beverage drain hole, a closure gate carried by the bottom and mounted to the bottom by mounting members for sliding movement between a closed position and an open position, a spring carried by the bottom of the brew basket assembly to resiliently bias the closure gate to a closed position, and a solenoid controlled brew basket valve controller for selectively engaging the closure gate to move the gate to the open position or to allow the gate to remain closed, said solenoid controlled closure gate being controlled by the controlling means in coordination with control of the application of pressure to achieve different preselected beverage flow rates during different preselected times during a brew cycle. 20. The hot beverage brewer of claim 19 in which the controlling means include a microcomputer that is programmed to close the drain hole closure gate to enable beverage within the brew basket assembly to accumulate at a time close to an end of a dispense period at the end of a brew cycle for a preselected time period. 21. The hot beverage dispenser of claim 20 in which the controlling means controls the opening and closing of the closure gate on an intermittent basis during the dispense period in coordinated, synchronized relationship with intermittent delivery of hot water to the brew basket assembly. 22. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly with a beverage drain hole under control of an electronic controller, the improvement being a brew basket flow rate control system, comprising: means for selectively closing the beverage drain hole to accumulate beverage within the brew basket assembly during preselected time periods of a brew cycle to reduce the rate of flow of beverage from the drain hole; means for selectively increasing positive air pressure to the brew basket assembly during some preselected time periods of the brew cycle to increase the rate of beverage flow from the brew basket assembly drain hole to a first level during the preselected time periods; and means for selectively terminating application of positive air pressure to the brew basket during other preselected time periods of the brew cycle to decrease the rate of beverage flow from the brew basket assembly drain hole to a second level less than the first level during the other preselected time periods. 23. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a movably mounted brew basket assembly with a brew basket for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage into a beverage container, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as the beverage flows downwardly out of the drain hole and falls freely through air to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage prior to being mixed in the beverage container; said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container; said brew basket being removably mounted to the brewer, and said light measuring means being spaced from the brew basket and the beverage container to enable removal of the brew basket without first disconnecting the light measuring means from the brew basket; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control a hot water brew dispense valve for changing the rate of flow of the hot water onto the ingredient in the brew basket. 24. The hot beverage brewer of claim 23 in which the light characteristic sensing mean is an infrared photo sensor located next to the drain hole and above the beverage container for detecting light transmittance through the beverage as it falls unrestrained through air from the drain hole and before entering the beverage container. 25. The hot beverage brewer of claim 23 in which the light characteristic sensing means includes an infrared photo sensor located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container and infrared photo sensor detects both temperature and light transmittance of the beverage falling from the drain hole. 26. A multicontrolled beverage brewer, comprising: a hot water tank; means for preheating water in the hot water tank; means for selectively pressurizing a brew basket during a brew cycle to selectively accelerate the flow rate of hot water from the hot water tank though an ingredient within the brew basket to make the beverage; at least one electronic temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of at least one of (a) the temperature of the beverage within the brew basket, and (b) the temperature of the preheated water immediately prior to being added to the brew basket; means for selectively instantaneously heating the pre-heated hot water from the hot water tank immediately before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket in response to the electronic temperature sensor. 27. A multicontrolled beverage brewer, comprising: a brew basket; a source of hot water; at least one of (a) a brew dispense valve for passing hot water from the source to ingredient within the brew basket, (b) a bypass valve for passing hot water from the source to the brew basket but bypassing the ingredient, and (c) a brew basket drain hole closure at the bottom of the brew basket for draining beverage from the brew basket to a container; means for selectively pressurizing the brew basket to selectively accelerate the flow rate of hot water from the source though an ingredient within the brew basket to make the beverage; a photosensor sensing a level of light conductance of the beverage before entering the container; means for selectively controlling at least one of (a) the brew dispense valve, (b) the bypass valve, and (c) the brew basket drain hole closure in response to the photosensor. 28. A multicontrolled beverage brewer, comprising: a brew basket; a source of preheated water; at least one of (a) a brew dispense valve for passing hot water from the source to ingredient within the brew basket to make the beverage, (b) a bypass valve for passing hot water from the source to the brew basket but bypassing the ingredient, and (c) a brew basket drain hole closure at the bottom of the brew basket for draining beverage from the brew basket to a container; at least one electronic temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of at least one of (a) the temperature of the beverage within the brew basket, and (b) the temperature of the preheated water immediately prior to being added to the brew basket; means for selectively instantaneously heating the pre-heated hot water from a hot water tank immediately before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket in response to the at least one electronic temperature sensor; a photosensor for sensing a level of light conductance of the beverage before being passed to the container; and a means for selectively controlling at least one of (a) the brew dispense valve, (b) the bypass valve, and (c) the brew basket drain hole closure in response to the photosensor. 29. The beverage brewer of claim 28 including a brew basket pressurization system for selectively pressurizing the brew basket to selectively accelerate the flow rate of hot water though an ingredient within the brew basket. 30. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage into a beverage container, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as it flows downwardly out of the drain hole to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage, said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the serving container; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control at least one of (a) a hot water brew dispense valve, (b) a bypass valve for passing hot water into the brew basket at a location spaced from the ingredient, (c) means to pressurize the brew basket to hasten draining of the beverage from the drain hole, and (d) an instantaneous electric hot water heater for heating hot water spaced from the hot water tank just before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket; and in which the controller is responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control a drain hole closure means. 31. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assemble, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as it flows downwardly out of the drain hole to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage, said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control one of (a) a bypass valve for passing hot water into the brew basket at a location spaced from the ingredient, (b) means to pressurize the brew basket to hasten draining of the beverage from the drain hole, (c) a drain hole closure means and (d) an instantaneous electric hot water heater for heating hot water spaced from the hot water tank before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket, and in which the controller is responsive to control the means to pressurize the brew basket to change the pressure within the brew basket. 32. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as it flows downwardly out of the drain hole to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage, said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control an instantaneous electric hot water heater for heating hot water spaced from the hot water tank before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket, the hot water having a temperature just before being dispensed into the brew basket, and the controller being responsive to control the instantaneous hot water heater to change the temperature of the hot water just before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket. 33. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a movably mounted brew basket assembly with a brew basket for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage, a water dispense system including a brew water dispense valve for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly and though the ingredient, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as it flows downwardly out of the drain hole and falls freely through air to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage, said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container and spaced from the brew basket and the beverage container to enable removal of the brew basket without first disconnecting the light measuring means from the brew basket; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control at least one of (a) a bypass valve spaced from the brew water dispense valve for passing hot water into the brew basket at a location spaced from and bypassing the ingredient, (b) means to pressurize the brew basket to hasten draining of the beverage from the drain hole, (c) a drain hole closure means and (d) an instantaneous electric hot water heater for heating hot water spaced from the hot water tank before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket. 34. The beverage brewer of claim 33 in which the controller is responsive to control the bypass valve to change the rate of flow of water through the bypass valve. 35. The beverage brewer of claim 33 in which the controller is responsive to the instantaneous level of extraction to control the bypass valve for passing hot water into the brew basket at a location spaced from the ingredient. 36. The beverage brewer of claim 33 in which the controller is responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control the means to pressurize the brew basket to hasten draining of the beverage from the drain hole. 37. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as it flows downwardly out of the drain hole to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage, said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control the drain hole closure means. 38. In a hot beverage brewer having a source of hot water, a brew basket assembly for holding beverage ingredient and a drain hole to dispense beverage, a water dispense system for selectively passing hot water into the brew basket assembly, the improvement being a brew basket control system, comprising: means for electronically measuring a light characteristic of the beverage as it flows downwardly out of the drain hole to detect an indication of an instantaneous level of extraction of ingredient into the beverage, said light measuring means being located adjacent the drain hole and above the beverage container; and a controller responsive to the indication of the instantaneous level of extraction to control an instantaneous electric hot water heater for heating hot water spaced from the hot water tank before the hot water is dispensed into the brew basket.