IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0861190
(2013-04-11)
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등록번호 |
US-9364116
(2016-06-14)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Waldron, Corey
- Forbing, Aric
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
11 |
초록
A modular beverage brewing apparatus comprising a removable hot water producing module, a removable pressurized hot water producing module, and a removable steam producing module all connected to a remote dispensing liquid beverage dispensing unit.
대표청구항
▼
1. A beverage making and dispensing apparatus, comprising: a first module comprising a hot water heating element, the first module connectable to a water supply and a power source for producing hot water;a second module connectable to the water supply and the power source for producing pressurized h
1. A beverage making and dispensing apparatus, comprising: a first module comprising a hot water heating element, the first module connectable to a water supply and a power source for producing hot water;a second module connectable to the water supply and the power source for producing pressurized hot water, the second module comprising: a pressurized hot water electronic control device;a first water boiler in fluid communication with the water supply;a first temperature sensor associated with the first water boiler, the first temperature sensor electrically connected to the pressurized hot water electronic control device;a first heating element configured to heat water from the water supply within the first water boiler to a first target temperature, the first heating element electrically connected to the pressurized hot water electronic control device;a second water boiler in fluid communication with the first water boiler;a second temperature sensor associated with the second water boiler, the second temperature sensor electrically connected to the pressurized hot water electronic control device; anda second heating element configured to heat water received from the first water boiler within the second water boiler to a second target temperature, the second heating element electrically connected to the pressurized hot water electronic control device; anda third module comprising at least one steam heating element, the third module connectable to the water supply and the power source for producing steam;wherein each module is fluidly connectable to a remote dispensing unit; andwherein the remote dispensing unit is removably connectable to each of the modules, and wherein the remote dispensing unit is configured to be located above a counter surface and the first, second, and third modules are configured to be located below the counter surface, the remote dispensing unit comprising: a hot water delivery device fluidly connectable to the first module;a pressurized hot water delivery device fluidly connectable to the second module, the pressurized hot water delivery device comprising: a brew head having a dispenser portion;a third temperature sensor associated with the brew head, the third temperature sensor electrically connected to the pressurized hot water electronic control device;a third heating element attached to the brew head, the third heating element configured to heat water received from the second water boiler at the dispenser portion to a third target temperature, the third heating element electrically connected to the pressurized hot water electronic control device; anda steam delivery device fluidly connectable to the third module,wherein each module is removable from the remote dispensing unit without affecting operation of the other modules. 2. The beverage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hot water electronic control device in electronic communication with said first module, a steam electronic control device in electronic communication with the third module, and at least one electronic input device in electronic communication with said hot water electronic control device, the pressurized hot water electronic control device, and the steam electronic control device, wherein the hot water electronic control device accepts input from the electronic input device and provides output instructions to the first module, wherein the pressurized hot water electronic control device accepts input from the electronic input device and provides output instructions to the second module, and wherein the steam electronic control device accepts input from the electronic input device and provides output instructions to the third module. 3. The beverage apparatus of claim 2, wherein said third module comprises a water inlet, a solenoid valve, a steam boiler, a steam temperature sensor, and a fill level sensor, wherein said water inlet is in fluid connection with said solenoid valve, wherein said solenoid valve is electronically connected to said steam electronic control device so that said steam electronic control device can regulate a flow of water through said solenoid valve based on inputs from said electronic input device, said steam temperature sensor, and said fill level sensor. 4. The beverage apparatus of claim 3, wherein said steam electronic control device receives feedback inputs from said fill level sensor and said steam temperature sensor and provides control signals to said steam heating element. 5. The beverage apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a steam valve which is electronically connected to said steam electronic control device, wherein said steam valve is of the three-way type, wherein upon actuation of said steam valve a steam delivery tube is open to a flow of steam from said steam boiler. 6. The beverage apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a micro switch in electronic communication with said steam valve, wherein when open, said micro switch causes said steam boiler to supply steam to said steam delivery device via the steam delivery tube for flow of steam through a steam channel and out of a steam wand. 7. The beverage apparatus of claim 6, wherein said fluid connection tube has a first end attached to the steam valve and a second end attached to a mechanically controlled needle valve, wherein the apparatus further comprises means to open the mechanically controlled needle valve and activate a switch, and further comprises an outlet port fluidly connected to said mechanically controlled needle valve. 8. The beverage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said steam delivery device comprises a steam wand, wherein said steam wand comprises an inner tube in communication with a steam path, a secondary outer tube which is not in communication with said steam path so that a separation of space is provided between said inner and outer tubes, and an insulating material placed between the inner tube and the outer tube. 9. The beverage apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second module further comprises a flow meter, a pump, a motor, and a solenoid valve, wherein said second module is electrically connected to said electronic input device. 10. The beverage apparatus of claim 9, wherein said pressurized hot water electronic control device is further in electronic communication with said flow meter so that said flow meter provides flow rate information to said pressurized hot water electronic control device, wherein said pressurized hot water electronic control device uses said flow rate information to control said pump. 11. The beverage apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electronic input device is configured to accept a desired output temperature for water, wherein said first temperature sensor from said first water boiler, said second temperature sensor from said second water boiler, and said third temperature sensor from said brew head provide feedback temperature information to said pressurized hot water electronic control device, which is in electronic communication with said first heating element, said second heating element, and said third heating element. 12. The beverage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said third heating element and third temperature sensor are configured such that said pressurized hot water electronic control device can further adjust the third target temperature of water exiting the dispensing point of said brew head to provide fine temperature adjustment directly at said brew head. 13. The beverage apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pressurized hot water delivery device comprises means to control the pressure of fluid delivered from said second module to said dispensing point, wherein said brew head further comprises a pressure transducer, a potentiometer, and an actuator-switch in wired or wireless electronic communication with said pressurized hot water electronic control device such that said pressurized hot water electronic control device can further adjust the pressure of water entering the brew head to provide fine pressure adjustment directly at said brew head. 14. The beverage apparatus of claim 13, wherein said potentiometer is in direct connection to said actuator switch or a lever and is in wired or wireless communication with said pressurized hot water electronic control device, wherein said pressurized hot water electronic control device receives information from said potentiometer and further instructs said motor to power said pump at a rotation speed in direct relationship to information received from said potentiometer so that a feedback loop is provided. 15. The beverage making and dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic input device in electronic communication with the pressurized hot water electronic control device, the electronic input device configured to accept input from a user and communicate the input from the user to the pressurized hot water electronic control device, wherein the pressurized hot water electronic control device is configured to communicate output instructions to the second module such that the second module selectively controls the temperature and pressure of water exiting an outlet of the brew head based on the output instructions. 16. The beverage making and dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronic input device is located at the brew head.
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