CN113518569A

CN113518569A - Beverage brewing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113518569A
Application number: CN202080017688.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 亚德里恩·里韦拉
Original assignee: Ya DelienLiweila
Current assignee: Ya DelienLiweila
Priority date: 2019-03-01
Filing date: 2020-01-13
Publication date: 2021-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-13
Also published as: EP3930543A4; EP3930543A1; CN113518569B; CA3128010A1; WO2020180396A1

Abstract

A beverage brewing machine includes a pump, an inlet tube assembly connected to an inlet of the pump at a pump end, an outlet tube assembly connected to an outlet of the pump at the pump end, a brewing material holder assembly configured to hold ground brewing material and disposed at an exit end of the outlet tube assembly, and a container volume configured to receive a container assembly disposed at an exit portion of the holder assembly. The suction end of the intake tube assembly is disposed in the interior of the container volume. The pump is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the holder assembly. The holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume.

Description

Beverage brewing machine

Industrial applicability

The invention is suitable for the beverage brewing industry.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to beverage brewing, and in particular to a brewing device for hot or cold brewing of a beverage.

Background

Several types of beverages, such as coffee, tea, yerba mate and scented tea (herbal tea), are brewed by infusing or immersing ground or chopped beverage material in water or other liquid. For rapid brewing, hot water is typically used. However, cold brewing is sometimes preferred, i.e., the brewing material is steeped in cold or ambient water rather than hot water. For example, some coffee drinkers prefer the flavor provided by cold brewing and can avoid bitterness and sourness when brewing certain teas by soaking in unheated water rather than hot water. This cold brewing is achieved by submerging a portion of the brewing material in unheated water for a period of time to allow the brewing material to soak in the water. While this infusion process may provide desirable results, the time required for cold brewing is longer than the time required for brewing in hot water.

Conventional cold brew infusion requires a user to measure a specific amount of infusion material and pour the specific amount of infusion material into the infusion solution. A pre-measured portion of the directly plunged brewing material may be convenient, particularly for use in brewing machines that simplify the removal of the brewing material and cleaning of the brewing machine. A brewer that can be used for both hot brewing and cold brewing would provide flexibility and it would be advantageous for the brewer to be configured to accelerate the cold brewing process. The ability to use bulk beverage brewing materials or prepackaged brewing materials in capsules or other containers would make such brewing machines universally useful.

It would also be advantageous to provide a feature in which brewing time is reduced when the beverage is cold brewed. Many people enjoy the flavor of cold brewed beverages, but the time taken for cold brewing is typically longer than that for traditional hot brewing. The addition of stirring or rotating features to cold brewers has been shown to reduce cold brew time. Another way to accelerate the process is to increase the flow of the brewing liquid through the brewing material. Some conventional devices use gravity feed to draw water through the brewing material using osmotic type action, which speeds the brewing time to some extent. However, these systems tend to have motorized systems outside the brewing container to provide the force of gravity, resulting in brewing machines with large footprints that occupy considerable counter space. In addition, the complexity of these systems makes them difficult to clean properly and exposes the user to potential accumulation of bacteria and other contaminants that can affect the flavor of the beverage and the health of the user. Other systems use a water reservoir to provide water for brewing the beverage and a separate container to dispense the brewed beverage, thereby increasing the size and complexity of the device.

Thus, a reliable, fast cold brewing system using a fluid feed to increase fluid flow will provide an overall improved brewing experience. It is also advantageous that such a system can be constructed as a compact unit, preferably as a portable unit. If the brewing system can also be used to brew hot beverages, or if the brewing system can be used to heat beverages that have been cold brewed by the system, flexibility will be provided to supply warm or hot beverages with a cold brew flavor. Such a system using a beverage supply vessel as a source of fluid for brewing a beverage would make the unit more compact and easy to use and clean. A system with simple features that allow the brewing line to be cleaned quickly between brews will reduce the likelihood of pathogen accumulation, will make it easier to use the same system to brew different types of beverages without tainting the beverages, and will maintain the fresh mouthfeel of the brewed beverage.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a pump assembly, an inlet tube assembly, an outlet tube assembly, a brewing material holder assembly, and a container volume. The intake tube assembly is connected to an inlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The outflow tube assembly is connected to an outlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to hold ground brewing material and is disposed at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly. The capsule volume is configured to receive a capsule assembly configured to hold a fluid, and the capsule volume is disposed at a discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly. The suction end of the intake tube assembly is disposed within the interior of the container volume. The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume.

The beverage brewing machine may also include a container assembly configured to be disposed in the container volume.

The beverage brewing machine may further comprise a heating element arranged below the container volume.

The brewing material holder assembly may be arranged below the outflow tube assembly, and the capsule volume may be arranged below the brewing material holder assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a pump assembly, an inlet tube assembly, an outlet tube assembly, a brewing material holder assembly, a vent tube assembly, and a container volume. The intake tube assembly is connected to an inlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The outflow tube assembly is connected to an outlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to hold ground brewing material and is disposed at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly. The snorkel assembly is coupled to the intake tube assembly and is configured to selectively allow air to be discharged into an interior of the intake tube assembly. The capsule volume is configured to receive a capsule assembly configured to hold a fluid, and the capsule volume is disposed at a discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly. The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid through the inlet tube assembly and expel fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume.

The vent tube assembly may include a vent tube and a vent tube valve, the access tube assembly may include an inlet tube, and the vent tube valve may be controllable to selectively allow or prevent fluid communication between an interior of the vent tube and an interior of the inlet tube. The vent tube valve is biased in a closed position thereby preventing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube, and the vent tube valve is controllable against the bias into an open position thereby allowing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a frame, a holder assembly, an inlet tube having a proximal end and a distal end, an outlet tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a pump assembly coupled to the frame having an inlet and an outlet. The proximal end portion of the access tube is disposed at the first frame through-hole. The distal end of the inlet tube is coupled to the frame and is disposed in fluid communication with the proximal end of the inlet tube at the first frame through-hole. The proximal end of the inlet tube is coupled to the inlet of the pump assembly. The proximal end of the outlet tube is coupled to the outlet of the pump assembly. The distal end portion of the outlet tube is disposed at the second frame through hole. The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from the distal end of the inlet tube through the inlet tube and the inlet tube, and to discharge the drawn fluid through the outlet tube. The retainer assembly is configured and arranged to receive fluid discharged from the outlet tube.

The distal end of the access tube may be disposed at a level below the retainer assembly.

The access tube may be made of a flexible material.

The inlet tube may be arcuate in shape.

The beverage brewer may also include an inlet tube filter attached to the distal end of the inlet tube and configured to filter particulate matter from the fluid.

The pump assembly may include a pump and a motor configured to drive the pump.

The frame may include a base, an extension, and a support chassis. The base may be configured to rest on a surface to maintain the beverage brewing machine in a stable state. The extension may be configured to be coupled to and extend upwardly from the base at the lower end and to be coupled to the support chassis at the upper end, thereby maintaining the support chassis in spaced apart relation above the base. The pump assembly may be coupled to the frame at the support chassis. The proximal end of the access tube may be coupled to the frame at the support chassis. The distal end of the inlet tube may be coupled to the frame at the support chassis. The first frame through hole and the second frame through hole may be disposed in the support chassis.

The extension may be at least partially configured as a handpiece. The support chassis is hingedly coupled to the extension. The beverage brewing machine may further include a support hoop coupled to the upper end of the extension and configured to support the support chassis.

The retainer assembly may include an upper retainer rim, a retainer bottom, and a retainer sidewall connecting the upper rim to the retainer bottom. The retainer bottom may include a retainer bottom aperture.

The beverage brewing machine may further include an outflow needle coupled within the holder bottom aperture and extending into the interior of the holder assembly and an inflow needle coupled within the second frame through-hole and extending away from the distal end of the outlet tube. The outflow needle and the inflow needle may for example be tubes with sharp ends. The distal end of the outlet tube may be arranged for fluid communication with the inflow needle through the second frame through hole. Thus, the holder assembly may also be configured as a sealed container that receives the ground brewing material. In this case, the inflow needle is configured to pierce an upper seal of the sealed container of ground brewing material and to provide the expelled fluid to an interior of the sealed container when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid expelled from the outlet tube, thereby brewing the beverage, and the outflow needle is configured to pierce a bottom of the sealed container of ground brewing material and to expel the brewed beverage when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid expelled from the outlet tube.

Alternatively, the beverage brewing machine may include a bottom tube coupled within the holder bottom aperture and extending into the interior of the holder assembly and an upper tube coupled within the second frame through-hole and extending toward the base. The distal end of the outlet tube may be arranged for fluid communication with the upper tube through the second frame through hole. Thus, the holder assembly may be configured to receive a reusable container containing ground brewing material. The reusable container includes an upper container rim, a container bottom having a container bottom aperture, a container sidewall connecting the upper rim to the bottom, and a lid configured to be removably coupled to the upper container rim and having a lid aperture. The upper tube may be configured to enter the interior of the reusable container through the lid aperture and provide the discharged fluid to the interior of the reusable container when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube, thereby brewing the beverage, and the bottom tube may be configured to enter the interior of the reusable container through the container bottom opening and discharge the brewed beverage when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube. Alternatively, the holder assembly may be configured to directly hold the ground brewing material. In this case, the upper tube may be configured to enter an interior of an upper holder rim of the holder assembly and provide the discharged fluid to the interior of the holder assembly when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube, thereby brewing the beverage, and the bottom tube may be configured to enter the interior of the holder assembly through the holder bottom aperture and discharge the brewed beverage when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube.

The beverage brewer may alternatively include an upper tube coupled within the second frame through-hole and extending toward the base. In this case, the distal end portion of the outlet tube is arranged for fluid communication with the upper tube through the second frame through hole. The retainer sidewall can include a plurality of ribs connected at opposite ends between the upper retainer rim and the retainer bottom. The plurality of ribs and corresponding spaces between the plurality of ribs define a retainer sidewall, and the retainer assembly can include a mesh material at least partially covering the spaces between the plurality of ribs in the retainer sidewall. The holder assembly may be configured to hold ground brewing material. The upper tube may be configured to enter an interior of the upper holder rim when the holder assembly is arranged to receive fluid expelled from the outlet tube and provide the expelled fluid to the interior of the holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage. The mesh material may be configured to discharge the brewed beverage. The retainer bottom can include an open area corresponding to a space between the plurality of ribs in the retainer sidewall, and the mesh material can at least partially cover the open area.

The beverage brewing machine may further include a container assembly configured to receive and retain a fluid and disposed on the base and below the holder assembly such that the distal end of the access tube is disposed within the interior of the holder assembly. The container assembly may include a container body and a container band. The container body may include an open upper container rim, a container bottom, and a container sidewall connecting the upper container rim to the container bottom. The container cuff may include an open upper cuff edge, an open bottom cuff edge, and a cuff sidewall connecting the upper cuff edge to the bottom cuff edge. The bottom hoop edge may correspond to and be coupled to the upper container edge. The retainer assembly may also include a retainer plate extending outwardly from the retainer sidewall. The retainer sheet may be configured to couple with an inner surface of the container collar such that the retainer assembly is disposed within the collar sidewall. The retainer plate may include a plate through hole, and the proximal end portion of the access tube may be coupled to the retainer plate at the plate through hole.

The beverage brewing machine may also include a heating element assembly including a heating element disposed on the base. The distal end of the access tube is disposed above the heating element. The heating element assembly may further include a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value corresponding to a temperature of a fluid held in a container assembly disposed on the base and below the holder assembly such that the distal end of the access tube is disposed in an interior of the container assembly. The heating element assembly may also include a heating element controller configured to receive a temperature value and adjust a relative temperature provided by the heating element based on the temperature value.

The beverage brewing machine may further comprise a support chassis cover hingedly connected to the upper end of the extension and configured to alternately cover and uncover the pump assembly, the inlet tube, the outlet tube and the support chassis.

The beverage brewing machine may also include a vent tube assembly coupled to the inlet tube at the first end and configured to selectively allow air at the second end to vent to an interior of the inlet tube. The vent tube assembly may include a vent tube and a vent tube valve. The vent tube valve can be controlled to selectively allow or prevent fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube. The vent tube valve may, for example, be biased in a closed position, thereby preventing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube, and the vent tube valve may be controllable against the bias into an open position, thereby allowing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage brewing machine comprises a pressure means for providing fluid suction at an inlet opening and a corresponding fluid discharge at a flow outlet opening, an inlet means for providing an inlet fluid channel, an outlet means for providing an outlet fluid channel, a material holding means for holding ground brewing material, arranged at the discharge end of the outlet means, and a fluid holding means for holding fluid, arranged at the discharge portion of the material holding means. The suction end of the intake device is disposed within the interior of the fluid retaining device. The pressure device is configured to draw fluid from within the fluid holding device through the inlet device and expel fluid through the outlet device into the material holding device, thereby brewing the beverage in the material holding device. The material holding device is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the fluid holding device.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage brewing machine comprises pressure means, inlet means, outlet means, material retaining means, venting means and fluid retaining means, the pressure device is used to provide fluid suction at the inlet port and corresponding fluid discharge at the outlet port, the inlet means for providing an inlet fluid passage, the inlet means being connected at a pressure end to an inlet port of the pressure means, the outflow means for providing an outflow fluid channel, the outflow means being connected at a pressure end to an outflow opening of the pressure means, the material holding means for containing the ground brewing material, the material holding means being arranged at the discharge end of the outflow means, the vent is coupled to the access device and configured to selectively allow air to vent to an interior of the access device, and a fluid retaining device for containing a fluid, the fluid retaining device being arranged at the discharge portion of the material retaining device. The pressure device is configured to draw fluid through the inlet device and expel fluid through the outlet device into the material holding device, thereby brewing the beverage in the material holding device. The material holding device is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the fluid holding device.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage brewing machine comprises a container, a pump configured to provide liquid suction at a suction port and a corresponding liquid discharge at an outflow port, an inlet line connected to the suction port of the pump and configured to transport liquid from the container to the pump, an outflow line connected to the outflow port of the pump and configured to provide liquid from the pump to an end of the outflow line, and a brewing material holder arranged at the end of the outflow line and configured to contain ground brewing material and brew a beverage with the liquid provided by the outflow line. The capsule is arranged to receive a beverage brewed at the brewing material holder.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a container, a pump configured to provide liquid suction at a suction port and corresponding liquid discharge at a flow outlet, an inlet line connected to the suction port of the pump and configured to transport liquid from the container to the pump, an outlet line connected to the flow outlet of the pump and configured to provide liquid from the pump to an end of the outlet line, an outflow material holder arranged at the end of the outlet line and configured to contain ground brewing material and brew a beverage with the liquid provided by the outlet line, and a vent tube coupled to the inlet line and configured to selectively allow ambient air to discharge to the interior of the inlet line by the suction action of the pump.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a pump assembly, an inlet tube assembly, an outlet tube assembly, a brewing material holder assembly, and a container assembly. The intake tube assembly is connected to an inlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The outflow tube assembly is connected to an outlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to hold ground brewing material and is disposed at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly. The capsule assembly is configured to hold a fluid and is arranged at the discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly. The suction end of the intake tube assembly is arranged for fluid communication with the interior of the container volume. The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly. At least a portion of the access tube assembly is attached to the container assembly. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume.

The portion of the intake tube assembly may be attached to an inner surface of the container assembly.

The container assembly may include a port that allows fluid communication between the interior of the container assembly and the exterior of the container assembly. The portion of the access tube assembly may be coupled to the container assembly outside of the container volume. The suction end of the intake tube assembly may be disposed at a port of the container assembly. The portion of the air intake tube assembly may be coupled to an outer surface of the container assembly, and the pump assembly may be coupled to the outer surface of the container assembly. The container assembly may include a handpiece that may include a hollow interior passage forming a portion of the access tube assembly. Alternatively, the handpiece may include a hollow interior channel, wherein the at least a portion of the access tube assembly is disposed in the hollow interior channel. The pump assembly may be disposed in a handpiece.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a pump assembly, an inlet tube assembly, an outlet tube assembly, a brewing material holder assembly, and a container volume. The intake tube assembly is connected to an inlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The outflow tube assembly is connected to an outlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to hold ground brewing material and is disposed at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly. The capsule volume is configured to receive a capsule assembly configured to hold a fluid, the capsule volume being arranged at the discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly. The suction end of the intake tube assembly is disposed within the interior of the container volume. The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly. At least a portion of the inlet tube assembly is attached to the brewing material holder assembly. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a beverage brewing machine includes a pump assembly, an inlet tube assembly, an outlet tube assembly, a brewing material holder assembly, a container volume, and a control assembly. The intake tube assembly is connected to an inlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The outflow tube assembly is connected to an outlet of the pump assembly at the pump end. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to hold ground brewing material and is disposed at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly. The capsule volume is configured to receive a capsule assembly configured to hold a fluid, the capsule volume being arranged at the discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly. The suction end of the intake tube assembly is disposed within the interior of the container volume. The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume. The control assembly is configured to selectively actuate the pump assembly.

The control assembly may include a user interface configured to receive brewing parameters provided by a user. The user interface may be configured to receive a brewing parameter associated with a desired brewing concentration. The control assembly may also be configured to selectively control a duration of actuation of the pump assembly and/or a pump assembly flow rate. The beverage brewing machine may also include a container assembly, and may also include a volume detector configured to determine a volume of liquid present within the container assembly. For example, the volume detector may include one of the brewing parameters provided by the user via the user interface. The control assembly may be configured to selectively control at least one of a duration of actuation of the pump assembly and a flow rate of the pump assembly based at least in part on the determined volume of liquid.

The beverage brewing machine may further comprise a heating element disposed below the container volume. The control assembly may be configured to selectively control a duration of heating element actuation and a heating element temperature.

Drawings

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention with the cover and container assembly removed.

Figure 3 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention with the cover and container assembly removed.

Figure 4 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention with the cover and container assembly removed.

Figure 5 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 6 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows the underside of the support chassis of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention, wherein a sealed container of ground brewing material is inserted in the holder assembly.

Figure 10 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention with a sealed container of ground brewing material inserted therein.

Fig. 11 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention, wherein a reusable container of ground brewing material is inserted in the holder assembly.

Figure 12 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of a holder assembly of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention with a reusable container of ground brewing material inserted therein.

Fig. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of the beverage brewing machine of the present invention with the cover removed.

Figure 14 illustrates a top view of an exemplary brewer according to the present invention with a control options interface enabling brew strength selection and additional modes, and an on/off actuation button.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary heating element assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 16 illustrates the underside of an exemplary heating element assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 17 shows an exemplary embodiment of a power base for a brewing machine according to the present invention.

Fig. 18 shows an exemplary power module for the beverage brewing machine of the present invention, wherein the power module is in this case housed in the bottom of the handle assembly.

Figure 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a brewer according to the present invention with a vent assembly.

Figure 20 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of a brewing machine according to the present invention having a vent assembly.

Figure 21 shows another view of an exemplary embodiment of a brewing machine according to the present invention, wherein the brewing machine has a vent assembly.

Figure 22 shows an exemplary embodiment of a container body of a brewing machine according to the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, the present invention is a beverage brewing machine 1 that may be used to brew a beverage made from ground or chopped beverage brewing material such as ground coffee beans, chopped tea leaves, or herbal material. If desired, other flavorings such as chicory or ginger may be added to the material that is soaked in water to brew the beverage. The brewer 1 is supplied with water or other liquid for brewing a beverage by a pod assembly 2 or other vessel (cup, mug, carafe, etc.) which pod assembly 2 or other vessel is also used to receive the brewed beverage after brewing. Since the same vessel is used for both providing water and receiving brewed beverage, the design of the brewing machine 1 is compact and convenient and is less labour-intensive to clean than conventional brewing machines. Further, brewing can be continued for any desired amount of time by constantly recirculating the brewed beverage through the brewer to provide a customized brew strength.

With reference to fig. 2 to 4, in order to brew a beverage in this way, the beverage brewing machine comprises a pump assembly 3 to draw water from a reservoir and supply the water to a brewing material holder assembly 4, in which brewing material holder assembly 4 the brewing material is infused to brew the beverage. The pump assembly 3 generates a negative pressure at the inlet 5 and a positive pressure at the outlet 6 in a manner known to those skilled in the art, so as to draw fluid at the inlet 5 and expel the drawn fluid at the outlet 6.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown, one end 7 of the inlet tube assembly is arranged in the reservoir assembly 2 and the other end is connected to the inlet 5 of the pump assembly 3, so that the pump assembly 3 can draw water from the reservoir assembly 2 to start the brewing process. Likewise, the outflow tube assembly is connected at one end to the outlet 6 of the pump assembly and at the other end 8 arranged to discharge the sucked water into the brewing material holder assembly 4. The brewing material holder assembly 4 is configured to hold the ground brewing material such that the beverage is brewed when water exiting the outlet tube assembly passes through it. The capsule assembly 2 is arranged to receive the brewed beverage from the brewing material holder assembly. In this manner, the pump assembly 3 draws fluid from within the container assembly 2 through the inlet tube assembly and expels fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly 4 to brew the beverage, which is then fed back into the container assembly 2. Thus, water is drawn from the capsule assembly 2 and replaced in the same capsule assembly 2 with the brewed beverage. Thus, according to the preferred embodiment, only one container is required for the brewing process.

The beverage brewing machine 1 may perform this brewing function according to a cold brewing operation or according to a hot brewing operation. If used to cold brew a beverage, the cycle of fluid from the reservoir assembly 2, through the pump assembly 3, through the brewing material holder assembly 4, and back to the reservoir assembly 2 may be repeated as necessary to provide a desired strength of brewed beverage. To perform a heated brewing operation, the beverage brewing machine 1 may further comprise a heating element 9 provided below the capsule assembly 2 or otherwise arranged to heat the water in the capsule assembly 2 prior to brewing. In this case, the pump assembly 3 may comprise a timer to delay the pumping action until a predetermined time has elapsed after activation of the heating element 9, so that the water is heated to a suitable temperature before the brewing material is infused. Alternatively, the water may be circulated as it is heated. The use of the heating element 9 may be skipped so that the user may choose whether to warm or cold brew the beverage. After cold brewing the beverage, the cold brewed beverage may be heated using the heating element 9 to provide a warm beverage having the flavor of a cold brew.

As shown in fig. 2-4, an exemplary embodiment of the beverage brewing machine comprises a frame 10, a holder assembly 4, an inlet tube 11, an inlet tube 12, an outlet tube 13 and a pump assembly 3. The access tube 11 is arranged inside the container assembly 2 and is connected to the frame 10 at a first through hole 14, which may be supported by flanges 15 on either side for coupling. The inlet pipe 12 is coupled to the frame 10 at the other side of the first through hole 14, and thus continues the fluid communication path from the tank assembly. The other end of the inlet pipe 12 is coupled to the inlet 5 of the pump assembly 3. Thus, the inlet tube assembly is shown in this embodiment as including an inlet tube 11 and an inlet tube 12, but a single tube or other tube may be used to provide the same effect. For example, a single tube may be pushed through the first through hole 14 to couple with the pump assembly 3. Alternatively, if the pump assembly 3 is instead mounted on the underside of the frame 10, no through-holes are required and a single tube may be used. Essentially, the system provides a fluid path from the interior of the container to the pump and from the pump to the brewing material holder. The access tube 11, inlet tube 12 and outlet tube 13, or any alternative configuration of tubes, may be coupled to be removable for cleaning and/or replacement.

The outlet tube 13 is coupled at one end to the outlet 6 of the pump assembly 3. The other end of the outlet pipe 13 is arranged at the second frame through hole 8, which may be supported by the flange 16 for coupling. Also, if the pump assembly 3 is mounted on the other side of the frame 10, a second through hole may not be necessary. The pump assembly 3 is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir assembly 2 through the inlet tube 11 and the inlet tube 12, and to discharge the drawn fluid through the outlet tube 13. As configured, the holder assembly 4 may be arranged to receive fluid expelled from the outlet tube 13 in order to brew the beverage.

The pump assembly 3 comprises a pump 17 and a motor 18, which may be an AC-or DC-driven motor, configured to drive the pump 17. The power for the pump assembly 3 may be provided via the AC power cord 19 and/or batteries of the power converter unit, via rechargeable batteries, via solar power or by any other power source known to the person skilled in the art. The power supply may also be used to power the heating element 9. As shown, if AC power is provided, a typical AC power cord 19 may extend from the frame 10, which may be used to house any necessary power conversion circuitry and/or power dividers to power the pump assembly 3. The use of a battery source for electrical power will allow the compact brewer 1 to be portable and able to be used even without an AC power source, so both AC and DC power options are available on the same unit.

The connection of the power supply of the beverage brewing machine 1 may be activated via a user accessible power switch, for example in the form of a button 20. A control unit may be provided to allow a user to control various aspects of the operation of the brewing machine 1, such as the throughput and duration of the pumping process, and the temperature and duration of operation of the heating element 9.

As shown, the frame 10 may include a base 21, an extension 22, and a support chassis 23. The base 21 is configured to be placed on a surface such as a table or kitchen counter and to stabilize the beverage brewing machine 1 during operation. The extension 22 is coupled to and extends upwardly from the base 21 at a lower end and is coupled to the support chassis 23 at an upper end to raise the support chassis 23 a sufficient distance above the base 21 to accommodate the container assembly 2. The pump assembly 3 is preferably coupled to an upper surface of the support chassis 23, as are the upper ends of the inlet tube 11 and the distal end of the inlet tube 12. The first through hole 14 and the second through hole 8 are arranged in the support chassis to provide fluid communication between the inlet pipe 11 and the inlet pipe 12 and between the outlet pipe 13 and the holder assembly 4, respectively. As mentioned above, the components may alternatively be arranged, such as by mounting the pump assembly 3 on the underside of the support chassis 23 or by otherwise arranging the pipe components to couple with the pump 17. Instead of through holes, cutouts in the periphery of the support chassis 23 may be provided. Any arrangement of the pump assembly 3 and the tube components that allows fluid to be drawn from the container assembly 2 and expelled to the holder assembly 4 is within the contemplation of the present invention.

The extension 22 may be at least partially configured as a handpiece. The handpiece may be grasped by a user to move the beverage brewing machine 1. The extension 22 may be made hollow so that any wiring from the base 21 to the pump assembly 3 or other components on the support chassis 23 can be routed through the handpiece and not be exposed.

The support chassis 23 is preferably hingedly coupled to the extension 22 so that the support chassis 23 and attachment member can be lifted away from the container assembly 2 while remaining coupled to the extension 22. The beverage brewing machine 1 may further comprise a support collar 24, the support collar 24 being coupled to the upper end of the extension 22 and configured to support the support chassis 23 when the support chassis 23 is in the lowered position. The support hoop 24 also provides a stop position when the support chassis 23 is lowered. The support chassis 23 and the support hoop 24 may be coupled to the extension 22 at the same hinge connection 25. To allow for movement of the support chassis 23, the access tube 11 may be made of a flexible material, may be formed in an arcuate shape or other non-linear shape, or may include a flex portion formed by a corrugated fold of the side wall of the access tube 11. Generally, the access tube 11 may, but need not, be straight and rigid, and any modifications to the material, shape, and composition of the access tube 11 that are apparent to those skilled in the art are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention, so long as the access tube 11 provides end-to-end fluid communication. For example, the inlet pipe may have a rubber tip, or a filter at the end of the vessel, to filter out particulate matter that may be present during recirculation.

The holder assembly 4 is configured to hold the brewing material, either directly or by holding a container storing the brewing material. The holder assembly may be embodied by a structure as simple as a ring configured to support the beverage capsule by the upper rim, or may comprise additional elements for flexibility of use. It is contemplated that the holder assembly 4 may be configured to hold any one or more of a disposable beverage capsule, a reusable beverage capsule, and a filter material, or may be configured to directly hold a beverage material. As shown in fig. 5-7, the example retainer assembly 4 includes at least an upper retainer rim 26, a retainer bottom 27, and a retainer sidewall 28 connecting the upper retainer rim 26 to the retainer bottom 27. The holder base 27 preferably has an aperture 29, the aperture 29 being arranged anywhere in the base, such as in a central position or, as shown, off-centre, and the aperture 29 preferably being supported by a flange. The particular configuration of the sidewalls and bottom may vary depending on the intended use of the retainer assembly 4, as described in more detail below.

For example, the holder assembly 4 may be configured for use with a prepackaged, sealed brewed beverage capsule. Such prepackaged capsules are for example in

Of the type used in beverage machines and generally referred to as

Or

Any similar pre-packaged capsule, disposable or non-disposable, is contemplated for use with the holder assembly 4 of the present invention. In this case, the beverage brewing machine 1 may further comprise a bottom needle 30 (fig. 7) and an upper needle 31 (fig. 8), the bottom needle 30 being coupled within the holder bottom aperture 29 and extending into the interior of the holder assembly 4, the upper needle 31 being coupled within the second frame through hole 8 and extending towards the base 21, i.e. in this case downwards, such that the upper needle 31 extends towards the interior of the holder assembly 4 when the holder assembly 4 is arranged for brewing. Thus, the outlet pipe 13 is far awayThe end is arranged for fluid communication with upper needle 31 through second frame through hole 8. A flange or seal 33 may be provided to prevent leakage at the fluid connection between the outlet tube 13 and the upper needle 31, the flange or seal 33 providing an air-tightness of the upper needle 31 and the chassis support 23 at the second frame through hole 8.

The bottom needle 30 and the upper needle 31 are for example open tubes with sharp ends directed towards the interior of the holder assembly 4. The needle may be, for example, a tube having a circular cross-section, wherein the end is cut at an oblique angle to form a tip. The needle may be made of hard plastic or metal, for example. Alternatively, the needle may be formed from multiple parts, such as a plastic tube fitted with a metal tip that is crimped, friction fit, or otherwise attached to the plastic tube. Any needle configuration having a tube configured to pierce an end of a sealed brewed beverage capsule is contemplated for use as a needle in the present invention.

Referring to fig. 9 and 10, according to this exemplary embodiment, a sealed container or capsule 32 of ground brewing material is positioned within the holder assembly 4 and may be pushed down into the holder assembly 4 such that the bottom needle 30 pierces the bottom of the sealed container 32, thereby providing fluid into the interior of the sealed container 32 to the tube of the bottom needle. Typically, the sealed container 32 will have an upper rim that can rest on the upper holder rim 26 when fully inserted into the holder assembly 4. When the support chassis 23 is brought down to the closed position, the upper needles 31 pierce the upper surface of the sealed container 32 of ground brewing material. A flange or seal 33 may also abut the upper surface to provide a seal against the container and provide a stop point for upper needle 31. When water is supplied to the outlet tube 13 by the pump assembly 3, the water flows from the outlet tube 13 into the tube of the upper needle 31 and thus into the interior of the sealed container 32, in which interior of the sealed container 32 the water soaks the ground beverage material in the container 32 and brews the beverage. The brewed beverage then flows outwardly from the pod 32 via the bottom needle 30 and into the pod assembly 2 below. Retainer assembly sidewall 28 may, but need not, be a solid surface, or may include openings, as the fluid flow passes from upper needle 31 through sealed container 32 to bottom needle 30. Thus, the beverage is brewed under pressure from the pump assembly 3 using liquid taken from the same container 2 from which the beverage is ultimately delivered.

Alternatively or in addition, the holder assembly 4 may be configured with, for example

The reusable beverage brewing capsule of the brewing receptacle is used together as shown in fig. 11 and 12. These containers typically include an upper container rim, a container bottom having a container bottom aperture, a container sidewall connecting the upper rim to the bottom, and a lid configured to be removably coupled to the upper container rim and having a lid aperture. Alternatively, the side walls and/or the bottom have an open panel covered by a mesh material. The container may hold the beverage brewing material to be brewed and the container may be reused after emptying and cleaning. Thus, the holder assembly 4 may be configured to receive such a reusable container 34 containing ground brewing material. In this case, the beverage brewing machine 1 may comprise a bottom tube 30 and an upper tube 31, the bottom tube 30 being coupled within the holder bottom aperture 29 and extending into the interior of the holder assembly 4, the upper tube 31 being coupled within the second frame through hole 8 and extending towards the base 21. Thus, the distal end of the outlet tube 13 is arranged for fluid communication with the upper tube 31 through the second frame through hole 8. The upper tube 31 and the bottom tube 30 may be needles such as those described in the previous embodiments, but need not be because there is no surface to puncture. Alternatively, if the reusable container 34 does not include a lid, the upper tube may include an end of any size and geometry, such as a circular shower head that provides a distribution of many orifices through which liquid may be dispersed on the brewing material in the reusable container 34, and the end of the tube may be stationary or may be rotated or otherwise moved over the container.

The upper tube 31 passes through the lid aperture 35 into the interior of the reusable container 34 and provides fluid from the pump assembly 3 to the interior of the reusable container 34 where it infuses the beverage brewing material, thereby brewing the beverage. The flange or seal 33 abuts the container lid 37 and covers the lid aperture 35 to prevent leakage or spillage. The bottom tube 30 passes through the pod bottom aperture 36 into the interior of the reusable pod 34 and discharges the brewed beverage to the pod assembly 2 below. If the reusable container 34 has a mesh sidewall and/or bottom panel, the bottom tube 30 is not needed because the brewed beverage can flow out of the reusable container 34 through the mesh panel and into the holder assembly 4, and out through the holder bottom aperture 29 and into the container assembly 2 below.

Alternatively or in addition, the holder assembly 4 itself may be configured to hold the ground brewing material and brew the beverage. For example, the upper tube 31 may be configured to enter the interior of the upper holder rim 26 of the holder assembly 4 when the holder assembly 4 is arranged to receive the fluid expelled from the outlet tube 13 and provide the expelled fluid to the interior of the holder assembly 14, thereby brewing the beverage. The bottom tube 30 may be configured to enter the interior of the holder assembly 4 through the holder bottom aperture 29 and discharge the brewed beverage to the receptacle assembly 2 below when the holder assembly 4 is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube 13.

As mentioned above, if the holder assembly 4 does not include a cap, the upper tube may include an end of any size and geometry, such as a circular shower head that provides a distribution of a number of orifices through which liquid may be dispersed on the brewing material in the holder assembly 4, and the end of the tube may be stationary or may rotate or otherwise move over the receptacle.

Alternatively, the use of a bottom tube 30 is not required, and the brewed beverage may flow from the holder assembly 4 to the container assembly 2 below through the holder bottom orifice 29. In this case, if there is no prepackaged or reusable beverage brewing receptacle, the beverage brewing machine 1 of the present invention can still be used to brew a beverage. In this case, in order not to let the beverage brewing material such as coffee grounds enter the container assembly 2, it is preferable to insert disposable paper or a reusable wire mesh filter or the like into the holder assembly 4 to support the beverage brewing material.

The holder assembly 4 may be modified to discharge the brewed beverage in an alternative manner. For example, the beverage brewing machine 1 may comprise an upper tube 31 coupled within the second frame through hole 8 and extending towards the base 21. The distal end of the outlet tube 13 may be arranged for fluid communication with the upper tube 31 through the second frame through hole 8. The retainer side wall 28 may include a number of ribs 37 connected at opposite ends between the upper retainer rim 26 and the retainer bottom 27. The ribs 37 and the corresponding spaces between the ribs 37 define the holder side walls 28. In this case, the holder assembly 4 comprises a mesh material at least partially covering the spaces between the ribs 37 in the holder side walls 28. The holder assembly 4 may furthermore hold ground brewing material, and when the holder assembly 4 is arranged below the outlet tube 13, the upper tube 31 may enter the interior of the upper holder rim 26 and provide water from the pump assembly 3 to the interior of the holder assembly 4, thereby brewing the beverage. The mesh material allows the brewed beverage to flow outwardly from the holder assembly 4 and into the container assembly 2 below. The holder bottom 27 can include open areas corresponding to spaces between the ribs 37 in the holder sidewall 28, and the mesh material can at least partially cover the open areas. In this embodiment, the beverage may be brewed without the use of a prepackaged or reusable beverage brewing receptacle and without the use of a filter within the holder assembly 4.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment in which the holder sidewall 28 includes ribs 37 and webbed portions, the upper tube 31 is an upper needle, and the bottom tube 30 is a lower needle, is a common embodiment that allows brewing of a beverage from a beverage material enclosed within a prepackaged and sealed container, from a beverage material enclosed within a reusable container, or from a beverage material supported directly within the holder assembly, and that any particular structural embodiment that enables any or all of these brewing schemes is contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention.

The holder assembly 4 is described as a separate element, but may be attached to, coupled to or integrated with other elements of the brewer for ease of production or economy, stability or any other reason. For example, at least a portion of the access tube assembly may be removably coupled to the brewing material holder assembly, or may be attached to any portion of the holder assembly, or may be manufactured integrally with the holder assembly.

The container assembly 2 is configured to receive and retain a fluid and is disposed on the base 21 such that the suction end 7 of the access tube 11 is disposed in the interior of the container assembly 2. Preferably, the inlet tube suction end 7 is suspended low enough within the reservoir assembly 2 to draw liquid from within the reservoir assembly 2 when the pump assembly 3 is operating, even when small amounts of beverage are brewed, i.e., when small amounts of liquid are provided within the reservoir assembly, as the general arrangement of the access tube suction end 7 will generally determine the minimum amount of beverage that can be brewed.

As shown, the container assembly 2 includes a container body 38 and a container band 39. Container body 38 is a typical vessel for holding liquids, and container body 38 includes an open upper container rim, a container bottom, and a container sidewall connecting the upper container rim to the container bottom. A container hoop 39 fits on top of the container body 38 and includes an open upper hoop edge, an open bottom hoop edge, and a hoop sidewall connecting the upper hoop edge to the bottom hoop edge. The bottom hoop edge corresponds to and is coupled to the upper container edge. Preferably, the upper rim includes a spout 40 to pour the brewed beverage from the container assembly 2.

The holder assembly 4 is preferably mountable within the vessel hoop 39, and the holder assembly 4 includes a holder plate 41 extending outwardly from the holder sidewall 28. As shown, the retainer sheet 41 preferably extends outwardly from the retainer side wall 28 at a distance downwardly from the upper retainer edge 26, and the retainer sheet 41 preferably includes a notch that facilitates removal of the prepackaged or reusable beverage material container from the retainer assembly 4. Retainer sheet 41 is configured to couple with the inner surface of container hoop 39 such that retainer assembly 4 is disposed within the hoop sidewalls.

For example, the periphery of the retainer plate 41 may include nubs 42, the nubs 42 snap-fitting into corresponding indentations in the inner side wall of the container collar 39. Other snap-fit, friction-fit, screw-in, or other types of configurations may be provided such that retainer assembly 4 can be easily removably coupled to container band 39, as known to those skilled in the art. While the holder assembly 4 is preferably coupled to the receptacle band 39 when brewing the beverage, the holder plate 41 may alternatively or additionally be configured to couple with the underside of the support chassis 23 through the use of snap elements or the like. Retainer plate 41 may include a plate through hole 43, preferably supported by one or more flanges 44, such that the proximal end of access tube 11 may be coupled to retainer plate 41 at plate through hole 43.

The access tube is described as being coupled to the retainer plate at the through hole. However, many alternative arrangements are contemplated within the intended scope of the invention. For example, the access tube may be pushed through the through-hole to extend in either direction from the retainer plate. The inlet tube may be coupled through the support chassis, coupled to the cover, attached directly to the sidewall of the holder, or otherwise arranged to provide the water inlet function required to brew a beverage using the water initially held in the final supply vessel. To achieve these alternative arrangements, the access tube need not be straight, but may take any shape, such as an arcuate shape, a twisted arrangement, or any other shape, and may include a folded spring portion or any other arrangement to provide any desired resilience.

Furthermore, the access tube may be arranged through the extension/handpiece and the pump assembly may be arranged on or in the extension/handpiece. Alternatively, the container body may have a hollow handpiece in which the inlet tube is arranged, or which serves as a suction end of the inlet tube, providing a passage into the interior of the container body to suck the liquid to be recirculated for brewing.

For example, the suction end of the access tube assembly may be arranged in any manner that allows fluid communication with the interior of the container volume, and at least a portion of the access tube assembly may be attached to the container assembly, such as to an interior surface of the container assembly.

Alternatively, a portion of the access tube assembly may be coupled to the container assembly outside of the container volume. In this case, the container assembly may include a port that allows fluid communication between the interior of the container assembly and the exterior of the container assembly. The suction end of the access tube assembly may be disposed at the container assembly port, a portion of the access tube assembly may be coupled to an outer surface of the container assembly, and the pump assembly may be coupled to the outer surface of the container. Thus, the inlet tube assembly can draw fluid from the interior of the container assembly through the port and to an externally disposed pump assembly that provides fluid to the outlet tube assembly. The port itself may be the suction end of the access tube assembly if desired, or a length of tubing may be coupled or attached at the port within the container assembly to provide additional reach for the suction end.

Such a constant arrangement of the access tube assembly may be convenient when arranged in cooperation with other container assembly elements. For example, the container assembly may include a handpiece that may include a hollow interior passage that forms a portion of the inlet tube assembly and/or the outlet tube assembly. Alternatively, the handpiece may include a hollow interior channel in which at least a portion of the access tube assembly is disposed. The pump assembly may be disposed in the handpiece. Thus, the handpiece used to facilitate dispensing of the resulting brewed beverage may be arranged according to functional aspects of the beverage brewing machine.

Any arrangement of tubes and pump assemblies that enables the brewing liquid to recirculate from the container body through the holder assembly and back into the container body is contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

As mentioned above, the beverage brewing machine 1 may further comprise a heating element 9 arranged on or in the base 21. Refer to fig. 13. Without the heating element 9, the beverage brewing machine 1 may be used for cold brewing of a beverage. By means of the heating element 9, the beverage brewing machine 1 provides versatility in that the beverage can be brewed with hot water. In this case, the heating element 9 should be activated for a sufficient period of time to heat the water in the reservoir assembly 2 to a sufficient temperature before the pump assembly 3 begins circulating water through the holder assembly 4, or the water may be heated as the water is circulated. A timer may be provided to delay the pumping action when the brewer 1 has been actuated, or the inlet tube 11 may incorporate a thermometer which provides an output to the controller which actuates the pump assembly 3 only after a threshold temperature has been reached.

Once the beverage has been brewed, the temperature of the heating element 9 may be reduced to maintain the brewed beverage in the container assembly 2 at the desired serving temperature. Alternatively, the beverage may be cold brewed and, once brewing is complete, the heating element 9 may raise the temperature of the brewed beverage to the desired warm drinking temperature. The heating elements may be arranged in multiple zones to provide separate brewing and warming functions, and the heating elements may include extensions that measure the temperature of the water/beverage to automatically adjust the temperature according to the control of the controller.

Figure 14 shows a top view of an exemplary brewer according to the present invention with a control options interface 50 and an on/off actuator button 51, the control options interface 50 configured to communicate with the controller to enable brew strength selection and additional modes. In this exemplary embodiment, the user selects the brew strength required to brew the beverage. A more concentrated brew requires a longer brew time, so selection of the enriched brew option will result in a longer brew time, i.e., a longer time: during this time, the brewing liquid will be recirculated through the system through the holder assembly 4. When the liquid is recirculated, the brewed beverage thus produced becomes enriched, that is to say more concentrated. Conversely, lighter brewing requires less recirculation and therefore shorter brewing times. Although the available brew strength is shown as a discrete option, different brew strengths can be achieved in a continuous range by providing different brew times in a continuous range, thereby achieving a truly customized brew strength.

The strength of the brewing thus performed also depends on the amount of water in the capsule body. That is, the volume of water added to the container body is the same as the amount of final brewed beverage that will be produced. A larger volume of water will require a longer brewing time to brew a beverage having a strength comparable to that of a beverage brewed with a smaller volume of water. Thus, a volume input may also be provided to the controller, providing a volume value to be taken into account when determining and setting the brewing time for a desired strength of the brewed beverage. This volume value corresponds to the volume of water in the container body and may be set in any of a variety of ways. For example, the value may be set by a user using the control option interface based on the amount of water the user adds to the container body. Alternatively, the volume of water in the container body may be determined by the beverage brewing machine using a float with a sensor, a weight scale in the base 21, or any device that provides an accurate volume value to the controller.

As shown, a mode may be provided in which the liquid in the container is boiled without being circulated through the system, or heated to a desired drinking temperature, and a cleaning mode is provided in which heated cleaning liquid or fresh water is circulated through the system to flush system components.

Accordingly, the beverage brewing machine may include a control assembly configured to selectively actuate the pump assembly. The control assembly may automatically function as preprogrammed and/or may include a user interface configured to accept brewing parameters provided by a user. For example, the user interface may be configured to accept a brewing parameter associated with a desired brewing concentration. To this end, the control assembly may selectively control the duration of pump assembly actuation and/or pump assembly flow rate, either automatically or in accordance with input provided by a user. The beverage brewing machine may further comprise a volume detector configured to determine the volume of liquid present within the container assembly either from one of the brewing parameters provided by the user via the user interface or by automatic means. The control assembly may use the determined liquid volume as a basis for selectively controlling the duration of actuation of the pump assembly and/or the flow rate of the pump assembly. For heated brewing, the control assembly may be configured to selectively control the duration of heating element actuation and/or the heating element temperature. The control assembly may use any and all of these factors to provide the user desired strength of brew of the beverage.

Fig. 15 and 16 illustrate an exemplary heating element assembly 52 according to the present invention. As shown, the heating element assembly 52 includes a heating plate 53, the heating plate 53 preferably being made of a material suitable for absorbing and transmitting heat from a heating element 54, the heating element 54 being connected to the power supply of the brewer. For example, the heating plate 53 may be a stainless steel plate. Alternatively, an illumination ring 55 may be arranged around the periphery of the heating plate 53. The ring 55 may include a light emitting element 56, such as an LED light pin, that illuminates when the brewer is in use. It is contemplated that in the hot brew mode, the light emitting element 56 may change color as the brew time progresses or as the sensed temperature increases. The ring 55 may be powered by an electrical connection to a power supply assembly. The temperature probe 57 may be arranged at a through hole in the plate 53 and may be arranged in contact with the plate 53 to record the heat of the plate 53, or may be thermally isolated from the plate 53 by means of a probe seal 58 to enable the temperature at the vessel 2 to be measured.

Figure 17 shows an exemplary embodiment of a power base 60 for a brewer according to the present invention. As shown, in this embodiment, AC power is provided via a plug 61 and cord 62 into a power base chassis 63. In the chassis 63, power is directed to power connectors 64 extending upwardly from the chassis 63. Power connector 64 provides convenient power access to heating element assembly 52 and temperature probe 57.

Fig. 18 shows an exemplary power supply assembly 70 for the beverage brewing machine of the present invention, the power supply assembly 70 in this case being housed in the bottom of the hand piece assembly. Locating the power supply assembly 70 in the base and at the bottom of the hand piece facilitates access to the power cord and to the heating assembly elements that require power. In addition, it is convenient to have a power supply extend through the interior of the handpiece to control the electrical circuitry that may be disposed on the support chassis 23. However, any arrangement apparent to those skilled in the art may be advantageously used in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 19-21 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a brewer according to the present invention having a snorkel assembly 80. As shown, the breather tube assembly 80 includes a breather tube 81 having a first end that intersects the inlet tube 12 at an air valve 82. The second end of the breather pipe 81 is open to the ambient air. For convenience, the second end of the vent tube 81 is shown coupled to the latch assembly, but may be disposed anywhere ambient air is available. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall of the inlet tube 12 has an aperture that is sealed to the end of the breather tube 81 such that the interior of the breather tube 81 is coupled in fluid communication with the interior of the inlet tube 12 selectively through the use of an air valve 82. Preferably, air valve 82 is biased in a closed position such that the interior of breather tube 81 is closed relative to inlet tube 12. Thus, when the air valve 82 is closed, a normal brewing operation can be performed. When the air valve 82 is open, suction by the pump assembly 3 causes ambient air to flow into the second end of the breather tube and through the first end of the breather tube 81 into the inlet tube 12. This ambient air is then expelled through the outlet tube 13 by the pump assembly 3, thereby flushing any debris in the line with a blast of air.

The vent tube assembly 80 allows the system to be air flushed and cleaned using the same pump that the system uses to brew the beverage, making the system compact and economical. The arrangement of the pump above the container body allows for this advantageous use of the vent tube assembly 80, but other arrangements may be constructed to provide the same advantages. The air flush using the vent tube assembly 80 may be performed automatically, either alone or as part of a cleaning mode, before or after flushing the system with cleaning fluid, or may be manually activated by actuation of a dedicated switch by the user. In any event, a control circuit may be used to actuate the air valve 82, for example, by powering a coil assembly with a solenoid to move the position of the air valve 82, or any other particular circuit apparent to those skilled in the art may be used to actuate the air valve 82.

Figure 22 shows an exemplary embodiment of a container body of a brewing machine according to the present invention. As shown, the container body may include finger guards 85 to protect the user's fingers when gripping the hand piece, which is particularly advantageous when the brewer is used to hot brew a beverage. As shown, the finger guard 85 may include indicia indicating, for example, the volume of beverage present in the container body.

The beverage brewing machine may further comprise a support chassis cover 45 hingedly connected to the upper end of the extension 22 and configured to alternately cover and uncover the pump assembly 3, the inlet tube 12, the outlet tube 13, any control electronics and the support chassis 23. The cover 45 may be raised from the support chassis 23 to provide access to components mounted on the support chassis 23, or may be raised with the support chassis 23 to provide access to the holder assembly 4, for example to allow a prepackaged or reusable beverage material container to be inserted or removed, or to allow beverage brewing material to be added to the holder assembly 4. A latch assembly 46 may be provided on the support chassis 23, the latch assembly 46 cooperating with the cover 45 to hold the cover 45 in place and to selectively open the cover 45. Preferably, the latch assembly 46 includes a latch hook 47 operable to cooperate with the retainer plate 41 to effect opening and closing of the cover 45.

Switches, timers, indicators such as LEDs and other control and display components may be mounted on the distribution board 48 below the cover 45. The power board 48 receives power from a power source, for example via the AC plug 19, and is in electrical communication with the buttons 20 and any other user inputs to effect operation of the brewer 1 in a manner desired by the user and known to those skilled in the art.

Thus, the brewer may be used to cold brew or hot brew beverages using the same vessel that is used to provide water for brewing the beverages and for receiving the brewed beverages. The multi-function holder assembly may itself hold the brewing material, may hold a reusable brewing material container in which the user places the brewing material, and may receive a sealed prepackaged beverage packet to brew the beverage. The brewer is compact-only a little larger than the container used to serve the beverage. The brewer may be scaled to provide any volume of beverage corresponding to the size of the container assembly provided. For example, the container assembly may be sized to hold enough beverage to provide a single serving, or alternatively may be sized to make and serve 4, 10, 12, or any number of servings, with the remainder of the brewer being scaled accordingly. The brewer may be used to flush the system with water without brewing material, or the water in the tank may include a cleaning solution to more thoroughly clean the brewer and its components, and air may be vented through lines to further help keep the brewing path clean.

The invention has been described by way of example and in accordance with a preferred embodiment. However, the invention as contemplated by the inventors is not strictly limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, various modifications and similar arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest reasonable interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a pump assembly;

an inlet tube assembly connected to an inlet of the pump assembly at a pump end;

an outlet tube assembly connected to an outlet of the pump assembly at a pump end;

an infusion material holder assembly configured to hold ground infusion material and arranged at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly; and

a container volume configured to house a container assembly configured to hold a fluid and disposed at a discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly,

wherein the suction end of the intake tube assembly is disposed in the interior of the container volume;

wherein the pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel the fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly; and is

Wherein the brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume.

2. The beverage brewing machine of claim 1, further comprising a container assembly configured to be disposed in the container volume.

3. The beverage brewing machine of claim 1, further comprising a heating element disposed below the container volume.

4. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the brewing material holder assembly is arranged below the outflow tube assembly and the capsule volume is arranged below the brewing material holder assembly.

5. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a pump assembly;

an infusion material holder assembly configured to hold ground infusion material and arranged at a discharge end of the outflow tube assembly;

a vent tube assembly coupled to the intake tube assembly and configured to selectively allow air to be discharged to an interior of the intake tube assembly; and

wherein the pump assembly is configured to draw fluid through the inlet tube assembly and expel the fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly; and is

6. The beverage brewing machine of claim 5, wherein:

the vent pipe assembly comprises a vent pipe and a vent pipe valve;

the intake tube assembly includes an inlet tube; and

the vent tube valve is controllable to selectively allow or prevent fluid communication between an interior of the vent tube and an interior of the inlet tube.

7. The beverage brewing machine of claim 6, wherein the vent tube valve is biased in a closed position thereby preventing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube, and the vent tube valve is controllable against the bias into an open position thereby allowing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube.

8. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a frame;

a holder assembly;

an access tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an inlet tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an outlet tube having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a pump assembly coupled to the frame, the pump assembly having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the proximal end portion of the access tube is disposed at a first frame through-hole;

wherein the distal end of the inlet tube is coupled to the frame and disposed in fluid communication with the proximal end of the inlet tube at the first frame through-hole;

wherein the proximal end of the inlet tube is coupled to the inlet of the pump assembly;

wherein the proximal end of the outlet tube is coupled to the outlet of the pump assembly;

wherein the distal end of the outlet tube is disposed at a second frame through-hole;

wherein the pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from the distal end of the inlet tube through the inlet tube and to discharge the drawn fluid through the outlet tube; and is

Wherein the retainer assembly is configured and arranged to receive fluid discharged from the outlet tube.

9. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 8, wherein the distal end of the inlet tube is arranged at a level below the holder assembly.

10. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 8, wherein the inlet tube is made of a flexible material.

11. The beverage brewer as recited in claim 8, wherein the inlet tube is arcuate in shape.

12. The beverage brewer of claim 8, further comprising an inlet tube filter attached to the distal end of the inlet tube and configured to filter particulate matter from fluid.

13. The beverage brewing machine of claim 8, wherein the pump assembly includes a pump and a motor configured to drive the pump.

14. The beverage brewing machine of claim 8, wherein:

the frame comprises a base, an extension and a support chassis;

the base is configured to rest on a surface to maintain the beverage brewing machine in a steady state;

the extension is configured to be coupled to and extend upwardly from the base at a lower end and to be coupled to the support chassis at an upper end, thereby maintaining the support chassis in spaced apart relation above the base.

15. The beverage brewing machine of claim 14, wherein:

the pump assembly is coupled to the frame at the support chassis;

the proximal end of the access tube is coupled to the frame at the support chassis;

the distal end of the inlet tube is coupled to the frame at the support chassis; and

the first frame through hole and the second frame through hole are disposed in the support chassis.

16. The beverage brewing machine of claim 14, wherein the extension is at least partially configured as a hand piece.

17. The beverage brewer of claim 14, where the support chassis is hingedly coupled to the extension.

18. The beverage brewing machine of claim 14, further comprising a support hoop coupled to an upper end of the extension and configured to support the support chassis.

19. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 14, wherein the holder assembly comprises:

an upper retainer edge;

a holder bottom; and

a retainer sidewall connecting the upper rim to the retainer bottom,

wherein the retainer bottom includes a retainer bottom aperture.

20. The beverage brewing machine of claim 19, further comprising:

an outflow needle coupled within the retainer bottom aperture and extending into an interior of the retainer assembly, wherein the outflow needle is a tube having a sharp end; and

an inflow needle coupled within the second frame through-hole and extending away from the distal end of the outlet tube, wherein the inflow needle is a tube having a sharp end,

wherein the distal end of the outlet tube is arranged for fluid communication with the inflow needle through the second frame through hole.

21. The beverage brewing machine of claim 20, wherein:

the holder assembly is configured to receive a sealed container of ground brewing material,

the inflow needle is configured to pierce an upper seal of a sealed container of the ground brewing material when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube and to provide the discharged fluid to an interior of the sealed container, thereby brewing the beverage, and

the outflow needle is configured to pierce a bottom of the sealed container of ground brewing material and discharge the brewed beverage when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube.

22. The beverage brewing machine of claim 19, further comprising:

a bottom tube coupled within the retainer bottom aperture and extending into an interior of the retainer assembly; and

an upper tube coupled within the second frame through-hole and extending toward the base,

wherein the distal end of the outlet tube is arranged for fluid communication with the upper tube through the second frame through hole.

23. The beverage brewing machine of claim 22, wherein:

the holder assembly is configured to receive a reusable container containing ground brewing material, wherein the reusable container comprises:

an upper container rim;

a container bottom having a container bottom orifice;

a container sidewall connecting the upper rim to the bottom; and

a lid configured to be removably coupled to the upper container rim and having a lid aperture,

the upper tube is configured to enter the interior of the reusable container through the lid aperture when the holder assembly is arranged to receive fluid expelled from the outlet tube and provide the expelled fluid to the interior of the reusable container, thereby brewing the beverage, and

the bottom tube is configured to enter the interior of the reusable container through the container bottom aperture and to discharge the brewed beverage when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube.

24. The beverage brewing machine of claim 22, wherein:

the holder assembly is configured to hold a ground brewing material,

the upper tube is configured to enter an interior of an upper holder rim of the holder assembly when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid expelled from the outlet tube and to provide the expelled fluid to the interior of the holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage, an

The bottom tube is configured to enter an interior of the holder assembly through the holder bottom aperture and to discharge the brewed beverage when the holder assembly is arranged to receive the fluid discharged from the outlet tube.

25. The beverage brewing machine of claim 19, further comprising an upper tube coupled within the second frame through-hole and extending toward the base,

wherein the distal end portion of the outlet tube is arranged for fluid communication with the upper tube through the second frame through hole,

wherein the retainer sidewall includes a plurality of ribs connected at opposite ends between the upper retainer rim and the retainer bottom,

wherein the plurality of ribs and corresponding spaces between the plurality of ribs define the retainer sidewalls, and

wherein the retainer assembly comprises a mesh material at least partially covering the spaces between the plurality of ribs in the retainer sidewall.

26. The beverage brewing machine of claim 25, wherein:

the holder assembly is configured to hold a ground brewing material,

the upper tube is configured to enter an interior of the upper holder rim when the holder assembly is arranged to receive fluid expelled from the outlet tube and provide the expelled fluid to the interior of the holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage, an

The mesh material is configured to discharge the brewed beverage.

27. The beverage brewing machine of claim 25, wherein the holder bottom includes an open area corresponding to the spaces between the plurality of ribs in the holder sidewall, and the mesh material at least partially covers the open area.

28. The beverage brewing machine of claim 19, further comprising a container assembly configured to receive and retain fluid and configured to be disposed on the base and below the holder assembly such that the distal end of the access tube is disposed in an interior of the container assembly.

29. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 28, wherein the container assembly comprises:

a container body; and

the vessel hoop is used for connecting a plurality of containers,

wherein the container body comprises:

an open upper container rim;

a container bottom; and

a container sidewall connecting the upper container rim to the container bottom,

wherein the vessel hoop comprises:

an open upper cuff edge;

an open bottom cuff edge; and

a hoop sidewall connecting the upper hoop edge to the bottom hoop edge, and

wherein the bottom hoop edge corresponds to and is coupled to the upper container edge.

30. The beverage brewing machine of claim 29, wherein the holder assembly further comprises a holder plate extending outwardly from the holder sidewall.

31. The beverage brewing machine of claim 30, wherein the retainer panel is configured to couple with an inner surface of the container collar such that the retainer assembly is disposed within the collar sidewall.

32. The beverage brewing machine of claim 30, wherein the retainer plate includes a plate through hole, and the proximal end of the inlet tube is coupled to the retainer plate at the plate through hole.

33. The beverage brewing machine of claim 14, further comprising a heating element assembly including a heating element disposed on the base, wherein the distal end of the access tube is disposed above the heating element.

34. The beverage brewing machine of claim 33, wherein the heating element assembly further comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value corresponding to a temperature of fluid held in a container assembly disposed on the base and below the holder assembly such that the distal end of the access tube is disposed in an interior of the container assembly.

35. The beverage brewing machine of claim 34, wherein the heating element assembly further comprises a heating element controller configured to receive the temperature value and adjust the relative temperature provided by the heating element based on the temperature value.

36. The beverage brewing machine of claim 14, further comprising a support chassis cover hingedly connected to the upper end of the extension and configured to alternately cover and uncover the pump assembly, the inlet tube, the outlet tube, and the support chassis.

37. The beverage brewing machine of claim 8, further comprising a vent tube assembly coupled to the inlet tube at a first end and configured to selectively allow air at a second end to vent to an interior of the inlet tube.

38. The beverage brewing machine of claim 37, wherein:

the vent tube assembly includes a vent tube and a vent tube valve, an

The vent tube valve is controllable to selectively allow or prevent fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube.

39. The beverage brewing machine of claim 38, wherein the vent tube valve is biased in a closed position thereby preventing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube, and the vent tube valve is controllable against the bias into an open position thereby allowing fluid communication between the interior of the vent tube and the interior of the inlet tube.

40. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a container;

a pump configured to provide liquid suction at a suction port and corresponding liquid discharge at a flow outlet;

an inlet line connected to the suction port of the pump and configured to transport liquid from the container to the pump;

an outflow line connected to the outflow of the pump and configured to provide liquid from the pump to an end of the outflow line; and

a brewing material holder arranged at the end of the outflow line, the brewing material holder being configured to contain ground brewing material and brew a beverage through the liquid provided by the outflow line,

wherein the capsule is arranged to receive the beverage brewed at the brewing material holder.

41. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a container;

an outflow line connected to the outflow of the pump and configured to provide liquid from the pump to an end of the outflow line;

a brewing material holder arranged at the end of the outflow line, the brewing material holder being configured to contain ground brewing material and to brew a beverage through the liquid provided by the outflow line; and

a vent tube coupled to the inlet line and configured to selectively allow ambient air to be discharged to an interior of the inlet line by a suction action of the pump.

42. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a pump assembly;

a receptacle assembly configured to hold a fluid and disposed at an exit portion of the brewing material holder assembly,

wherein the suction end of the intake tube assembly is arranged for fluid communication with the interior of the container volume;

wherein the pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the inlet tube assembly and expel the fluid through the outlet tube assembly into the brewing material holder assembly, thereby brewing the beverage in the brewing material holder assembly;

wherein at least a portion of the access tube assembly is attached to the container assembly; and is

43. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 42, wherein said at least a portion of said inlet tube assembly is attached to an inner surface of said container assembly.

44. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 42, wherein:

the container assembly includes a port allowing fluid communication between an interior of the container assembly and an exterior of the container assembly;

the at least a portion of the access tube assembly is coupled to the container assembly outside of the container volume; and

the suction end of the intake tube assembly is disposed at the port of the container assembly.

45. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 44, wherein said at least a portion of said inlet tube assembly is coupled to an outer surface of said container assembly.

46. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 44, wherein said pump assembly is coupled to said outer surface of said container assembly.

47. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 44, wherein the container assembly comprises a hand piece.

48. The beverage brewing machine of claim 47, wherein the hand piece includes a hollow interior channel forming a portion of the inlet tube assembly.

49. The beverage brewing machine of claim 47, wherein the hand piece includes a hollow interior channel, wherein the at least a portion of the inlet tube assembly is disposed in the hollow interior channel.

50. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 47, wherein said pump assembly is disposed in said hand piece.

51. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a pump assembly;

a receptacle volume configured to house a receptacle assembly configured to hold a fluid, the receptacle volume disposed at a discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly,

wherein at least a portion of the inlet tube assembly is attached to the brewing material holder assembly; and is

52. A beverage brewing machine comprising:

a pump assembly;

a container volume configured to house a container assembly configured to hold a fluid, the container volume disposed at a discharge portion of the brewing material holder assembly; and

the control component is used for controlling the operation of the device,

wherein the brewing material holder assembly is configured to discharge the brewed beverage into the container volume; and is

Wherein the control assembly is configured to selectively actuate the pump assembly.

53. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 52, wherein the control assembly includes a user interface configured to receive brewing parameters provided by a user.

54. The beverage brewing machine of claim 53, wherein the user interface is configured to receive a brewing parameter associated with a desired brewing concentration.

55. The beverage brewing machine of claim 53, wherein the control assembly is further configured to selectively control at least one of a duration of pump assembly actuation and a pump assembly flow rate.

56. The beverage brewing machine according to claim 55, further comprising the container assembly.

57. The beverage brewing machine of claim 56, further comprising a volume detector configured to determine a volume of liquid present within the container assembly.

58. The beverage brewing machine of claim 57, wherein the volume detector includes one of the brewing parameters provided by a user via the user interface.

59. The beverage brewing machine of claim 57, wherein the control assembly is configured to selectively control at least one of a duration of pump assembly actuation and a pump assembly flow rate based at least in part on the determined liquid volume.

60. The beverage brewing machine of claim 55, further comprising a heating element disposed below the container volume.

61. The beverage brewing machine of claim 53, wherein the control assembly is further configured to selectively control at least one of a duration of heating element actuation and a heating element temperature.