WO2005107540A1 - Single/multiple beverage machine - Google Patents

Single/multiple beverage machine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005107540A1
WO2005107540A1 PCT/US2005/016242 US2005016242W WO2005107540A1 WO 2005107540 A1 WO2005107540 A1 WO 2005107540A1 US 2005016242 W US2005016242 W US 2005016242W WO 2005107540 A1 WO2005107540 A1 WO 2005107540A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
coffee
water
brewing
pump
water supply
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/016242
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2005107540A8 (en
Inventor
Andrew Yuen Chin Chen
Kwan Fai Lui
Amy Decem Cheng
Original Assignee
Electrical And Electronics Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/839,883 external-priority patent/US7089849B2/en
Application filed by Electrical And Electronics Limited filed Critical Electrical And Electronics Limited
Priority to JP2007511715A priority Critical patent/JP2007536020A/en
Priority to AU2005240216A priority patent/AU2005240216B2/en
Publication of WO2005107540A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005107540A1/en
Publication of WO2005107540A8 publication Critical patent/WO2005107540A8/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/10Coffee-making apparatus, in which the brewing vessel, i.e. water heating container, is placed above or in the upper part of the beverage containers i.e. brewing vessel; Drip coffee-makers with the water heating container in a higher position than the brewing vessel
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/24Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/46Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
    • A47J31/462Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices with an intermediate liquid storage tank
    • A47J31/465Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices with an intermediate liquid storage tank for the heated water
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/54Water boiling vessels in beverage making machines
    • A47J31/56Water boiling vessels in beverage making machines having water-level controls; having temperature controls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a home and/or commercial beverage machine, particularly, to a multifunctional coffee machine .
  • European Patent No. 1086641 discloses a combined coffee machine and steam generator having a multi-switching valve which in one position connects water reservoir to water heater and allows hot water to be fed to riser pipe leading to coffee filter container and in second position allows limited quantity of water to be fed to pressure store via separately filling funnel for heating via water heater.
  • a related Italian Patent (IT 1249124) discloses a machine comprising a pump connected to a boiler. The said machine has a control system which controls the flow of water into the boiler. By actuating a switch, the user sets the machine to one mode to make strong coffee. By switching the machine to coffee-filter mode the control system is activated to control the pump and heating elements or boiler.
  • the single-serving module of the coffee machine mentioned above produces very strong espresso coffee using the method of conveying highly pressurized, i.e. 6 - 12 bar, and superheated water through the fine ground coffee to make espresso coffee.
  • the system or machine of the present invention produces regular coffee by the method of pumping the low pressure (below 3 bar) water through coffee pod or ground coffee .
  • the boiler system of the coffee machine mentioned above is used for making both espresso coffee and steam, which required higher water temperature, i.e. over 100°C. Hence the hot water temperature for brewing filter coffee is superheated.
  • the system or machine of the present invention uses an electronic temperature control device to control and maintain the hot water at the desired temperature, i.e. below 100 °C, which is always suitable for making a cup or a jug of regular coffee.
  • the coffee machines mentioned above uses high pressure type boiler, i.e. closed type boiler, which can also produce steam.
  • high pressure type boiler i.e. closed type boiler
  • the system or machine of the present invention uses a low pressure displacement type boiler, which is open to the atmosphere, and is easier to maintain or repair, cost less to manufacture, and has a longer operating life.
  • the boiler of the present invention cost less than high pressure boilers because thinner materials can be used to manufacture boilers which are suitable for low pressure applications .
  • An object of the present inventi on i g to provide a multipurpose coffee- or beverage-making machine having a flow controller which in one position connects the water reservoir or external water supply, pump and water heater which are connected in series by suitable piping to a single-serving coffee brewing chamber or module, and in a second position to a multi-serving coffee brewing chamber or module.
  • the single-serving and multi-serving brewing chamber or module can operate alone independently or simultaneously without affecting the quality of the brewed coffee or beverage.
  • the outlet temperature of the heated water from the boiler, the flow rate, pressure, and the amount of flow of the heated water to each brewing chamber or module are controlled and monitored by a control system.
  • the single-serving brewing chamber or module is adapted to brew prepackage coffee pods (or pads) .
  • the coffee or beverage machine would be more cost effective, smaller in size, and more reliable as there is less chance for the machine to malfunction or breakdown. 2.
  • the user can program the coffee or beverage machine to brew the desired number of cups of coffee or beverage, thus minimizing waste.
  • Most conventional household drip-type coffee makers use heating element only, thus they can not control the amount of water to dispense.
  • the multi-serving brewing chamber or module of this invention can also brew high quality coffee, similar to the single-serving brewing chamber or module, by using ' a control system to control, maintain and optimize the water temperature, water flow rate, and optimal coffee brewing time or the amount of time the heated water is in contact time with the coffee grounds.
  • the location or position of the water tank/reservoir is more flexible because the appropriate water head (water pressure) needed to deliver the water from the water tank or reservoir to the brewing chamber or module will be a concern.
  • the water supply or reservoir can be placed in front or on the side of the machine. The water can even be plumbed into the machine directly from the water pipes .
  • This invention relates to a new multipurpose coffee or beverage making machine, which can make a single cup of coffee instantly, and can also make many cups of coffee easily and automatically.
  • An object of this invention is to provide the consumer or user with a machine or a solution whereby the user has the option of making high quality coffee either one cup of coffee at a time or many cups of coffee at a time easily, automatically, and most importantly, all from a single machine.
  • the object of this invention is not to simply combine a standard or conventional drip-type coffee maker with a single-serving machine into one housing or body.
  • the concept of this invention is to develop a cost-effective and reliable coffee- or beverage-making machine that allows both the single cup and the multiple cup brewing chamber or module to utilize a central/common water reservoir to store the water supply or reservoir, a central/common water boiler to heat up the water, a central/common water pump for distributing water from the water supply or reservoir to the boiler and to the appropriate brewing chamber or module, and a control system to control the flow rate of the water pump and the amount of hot water the water pump distributes to the appropriate brewing chamber or module, to control the thermositor in the water boiler which controls or regulates the desired output temperature of the water from the boiler, and to control the flow controller to control the water flow rate to the desired brewing module (s) for brewing coffee or beverage.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the machine according to the invention, showing the main components.
  • FIGURE 3 is a frontal view of the interior of the machine according to the invention, showing the main construction and components.
  • FIGURE 4 is a frontal view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 5 is a left side view of the exterior of the machine according to machine of the invention, showing a drip coffee carafe.
  • FIGURE 6 is a right side view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention, i.e. the side with the single serving brewing module.
  • FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 8 is a process flow and schematic diagram of the machine according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention provides a multifunctional coffee or beverage machine, which can make a single cup of coffee or beverage instantly, and can also make many cups of coffee or beverage easily and automatically.
  • This invention is not a drip-type coffee maker and a single-serving coffee maker combined into one machine. It is an object of this invention to develop a new system which consists of a single boiler, pump, flow controller and water tank. In an embodiment, the boiler, pump and flow controller are controlled by a control system.
  • all the main components such as the pump, boiler, water reservoir, flow controller, thermositor, and the control unit, are commonly shared by the single-serving and multi-serving brewing chambers or modules.
  • This invention provides a coffee or beverage machine, comprising: a main housing 1, a removable water reservoir 2, which can be detachably attached to side or front of the main housing 1, a single-serve brewing chamber or module 3 through which the brewed coffee or beverage flows directly into the cup 6 below, a drip-type brewing chamber or module 4 through which the brewed coffee or beverage flows directly into the serving carafe 5 below, a control system 7 and a control panel of the control system 7 which controls the pump 8, boiler 9, flow controller 10 , and thermositor 16.
  • the pump 8 is connected to a water reservoir 2 with a suitable pipe 13.
  • the pump is connected an external water source or supply.
  • the pump 8 is connected to the boiler 9 with a suitable pipe 14 in one position and to the water reservoir in another position.
  • the boiler 9 is connected to the flow controller 10 with a suitable pipe 15 in one position and to the pump with a suitable pipe in another position.
  • the flow controller 10 is connected by suitable piping to the single-serving brewing chamber or module in the first position, to the multi-serving brewing chamber or module in the second position, and to the boiler 9 in the third position.
  • the single-serving brewing chamber or module uses a coffee pod (or pad) holder 12 to attach removable prepackage coffee pods (or pads) to the single-serving brewing chamber or module to brew one cup of coffee at a time.
  • the multi-serving brewing chamber or module uses a drip coffee brew basket 11 to brew multiple cups of coffee, which flows directly into the carafe below.
  • This invention provides an independent warming heater 19 located under the carafe for keeping brewed coffee or beverage warm.
  • This invention provides a coffee or beverage machine comprising a control system 7 for controlling the flow rate of the pump, the output temperature of the water from the boiler, and the flow controller for distributing water to the desired brewing module (s) .
  • control system 7 for controlling the flow rate of the pump, the output temperature of the water from the boiler, and the flow controller for distributing water to the desired brewing module (s) .
  • operating processes of the control system of the machine or device of this invention are shown in Figure 8.
  • This invention provides a flow controller 10 comprising solenoid valves 17 and flow meters 18.
  • the amount hot water transferred or delivered into brewing chambers can be precisely measured.
  • each water channel located between the flow controller and the brewing chamber or module there is a flow meter 18 and an electrical solenoid valve 17.
  • the amount of hot water flowing into each individual channel is measured and recorded by the flow meter 18 and the water amount data is sent back to the main control unit 7.
  • the main control unit will send a signal to the appropriate electrical solenoid valve to shut off the flow of water into appropriate channel. Therefore, each chamber can be used simultaneously or individually and the amount of water can be precisely measured.
  • the water reservoir of the machine of this invention has enough capacity to make numerous servings of coffee or beverage without having to constantly refill the water reservoir. Furthermore, the amount of brewed coffee can be precisely controlled, i.e. from one cup up to many cups.
  • the water reservoir can be placed in different positions, such as the front or the side . The pump can even be attached to an external water pipeline or supply.
  • the hot water temperature is always monitored.
  • the hot water can be adjusted and controlled to the desired or optimized temperature to brew perfect tasting coffee.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

Machine for brewing coffee or beverage having at lease one single-serving brewing module (3), and at least one multi-serving brewing module (4) connected to a commonly shared pump (8), water reservoir (2), and boiler (9). A flow controller (10) is connected to the boiler, pump, and water reservoir, and in one position, the flow controller is connected to the single-serving brewing module, and in another position, the flow controller is connected to the multi-serving brewing module. The water reservoir, pump, boiler and flow controller are connected in series with suitable piping. The flow rate, temperature, and the amount of water to distribute to brewing module(s) are controlled, monitored and adjusted by a control system (7). The single-brewing module can be adapted to brew prepackaged coffee pods.

Description

SINGLE/MULTIPLE BEVERAGE MACHINE
This application claims priority of U.S . Serial No.10/839,883, filed May 6, 2004 and European Patent Application No. 05001339.0, filed January 24, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference into this application.
Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a home and/or commercial beverage machine, particularly, to a multifunctional coffee machine .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
At the present time, there are a few single-serving type coffee (and beverage) machines out in the market, which can make a good cup of high quality coffee easily, conveniently and instantly. However, it could be quite cumbersome and inconvenient for the user if he or she needs to make many cups of coffee or beverage for a large group of people at the same time using a single-serving type coffee or beverage machine, as the user would need to repeat the same operation many times . Although the overall actual brewing time of a typical single-serving machine is still faster than conventional drip-type coffee machines, it is still too much work and too tedious for the user to make one cup of coffee at a time for a group of people.
At the present time, there are also a few combined coffee machines in the market, which are capable of brewing coffee and espresso simultaneously or independently. However, these machines are more costly and are more prone to breakdown or malfunction because they contain additional parts, such as two heating systems. Generally, combined coffee machines in the market use a horseshoe type heater for making regular drip coffee, and a boiler system for making espresso coffee. Most combined machines combine two separate systems into one unit rather than sharing a single system with shared or common components, including but not limited to heaters, boilers and control system, for making different types and amounts coffee or beverage as the machine of the present invention.
European Patent No. 1086641 discloses a combined coffee machine and steam generator having a multi-switching valve which in one position connects water reservoir to water heater and allows hot water to be fed to riser pipe leading to coffee filter container and in second position allows limited quantity of water to be fed to pressure store via separately filling funnel for heating via water heater. A related Italian Patent (IT 1249124) discloses a machine comprising a pump connected to a boiler. The said machine has a control system which controls the flow of water into the boiler. By actuating a switch, the user sets the machine to one mode to make strong coffee. By switching the machine to coffee-filter mode the control system is activated to control the pump and heating elements or boiler.
The above-mentioned coffee machines have many drawbacks and limitations, which are summarized below:
1. Only one module of coffee machines mentioned above can be used at a time. However, the system or machine of the present invention can use either one or both modules to make a cup and/or a jug of coffee at the same time.
2. The single-serving module of the coffee machine mentioned above produces very strong espresso coffee using the method of conveying highly pressurized, i.e. 6 - 12 bar, and superheated water through the fine ground coffee to make espresso coffee. However, the system or machine of the present invention produces regular coffee by the method of pumping the low pressure (below 3 bar) water through coffee pod or ground coffee .
3. The boiler system of the coffee machine mentioned above is used for making both espresso coffee and steam, which required higher water temperature, i.e. over 100°C. Hence the hot water temperature for brewing filter coffee is superheated. The system or machine of the present invention uses an electronic temperature control device to control and maintain the hot water at the desired temperature, i.e. below 100 °C, which is always suitable for making a cup or a jug of regular coffee.
The coffee machines mentioned above uses high pressure type boiler, i.e. closed type boiler, which can also produce steam. The system or machine of the present invention uses a low pressure displacement type boiler, which is open to the atmosphere, and is easier to maintain or repair, cost less to manufacture, and has a longer operating life. The boiler of the present invention cost less than high pressure boilers because thinner materials can be used to manufacture boilers which are suitable for low pressure applications .
An object of the present inventi on i ,g to provide a multipurpose coffee- or beverage-making machine having a flow controller which in one position connects the water reservoir or external water supply, pump and water heater which are connected in series by suitable piping to a single-serving coffee brewing chamber or module, and in a second position to a multi-serving coffee brewing chamber or module.
In another aspect of the present invention, the single-serving and multi-serving brewing chamber or module can operate alone independently or simultaneously without affecting the quality of the brewed coffee or beverage.
In another aspect of the present invention, the outlet temperature of the heated water from the boiler, the flow rate, pressure, and the amount of flow of the heated water to each brewing chamber or module are controlled and monitored by a control system.
In another aspect of the present invention, the single-serving brewing chamber or module is adapted to brew prepackage coffee pods (or pads) .
The benefits of the present invention are outlined below:
1. By sharing common components, including but not limited to the pump, water reservoir and boiler, the coffee or beverage machine would be more cost effective, smaller in size, and more reliable as there is less chance for the machine to malfunction or breakdown. 2. Through the use of an electric pump, the user can program the coffee or beverage machine to brew the desired number of cups of coffee or beverage, thus minimizing waste. Most conventional household drip-type coffee makers use heating element only, thus they can not control the amount of water to dispense.
3. The multi-serving brewing chamber or module of this invention can also brew high quality coffee, similar to the single-serving brewing chamber or module, by using' a control system to control, maintain and optimize the water temperature, water flow rate, and optimal coffee brewing time or the amount of time the heated water is in contact time with the coffee grounds.
4. Since the machine of the present invention uses an electric pump, the location or position of the water tank/reservoir is more flexible because the appropriate water head (water pressure) needed to deliver the water from the water tank or reservoir to the brewing chamber or module will be a concern. The water supply or reservoir can be placed in front or on the side of the machine. The water can even be plumbed into the machine directly from the water pipes .
The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the present invention and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the invention, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation which may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, a brief summary of the present invention is presented. Some simplifications and omission may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the present invention, but not to limit its scope. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention concepts will follow in later sections.
This invention relates to a new multipurpose coffee or beverage making machine, which can make a single cup of coffee instantly, and can also make many cups of coffee easily and automatically.
An object of this invention is to provide the consumer or user with a machine or a solution whereby the user has the option of making high quality coffee either one cup of coffee at a time or many cups of coffee at a time easily, automatically, and most importantly, all from a single machine.
The object of this invention is not to simply combine a standard or conventional drip-type coffee maker with a single-serving machine into one housing or body. The concept of this invention is to develop a cost-effective and reliable coffee- or beverage-making machine that allows both the single cup and the multiple cup brewing chamber or module to utilize a central/common water reservoir to store the water supply or reservoir, a central/common water boiler to heat up the water, a central/common water pump for distributing water from the water supply or reservoir to the boiler and to the appropriate brewing chamber or module, and a control system to control the flow rate of the water pump and the amount of hot water the water pump distributes to the appropriate brewing chamber or module, to control the thermositor in the water boiler which controls or regulates the desired output temperature of the water from the boiler, and to control the flow controller to control the water flow rate to the desired brewing module (s) for brewing coffee or beverage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the machine according to the invention, showing the main components.
FIGURE 3 is a frontal view of the interior of the machine according to the invention, showing the main construction and components.
FIGURE 4 is a frontal view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention.
FIGURE 5 is a left side view of the exterior of the machine according to machine of the invention, showing a drip coffee carafe.
FIGURE 6 is a right side view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention, i.e. the side with the single serving brewing module.
FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the exterior of the machine according to the invention.
FIGURE 8 is a process flow and schematic diagram of the machine according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a multifunctional coffee or beverage machine, which can make a single cup of coffee or beverage instantly, and can also make many cups of coffee or beverage easily and automatically.
This invention is not a drip-type coffee maker and a single-serving coffee maker combined into one machine. It is an object of this invention to develop a new system which consists of a single boiler, pump, flow controller and water tank. In an embodiment, the boiler, pump and flow controller are controlled by a control system.
To minimize cost and to reduce the size of the machine of the invention, all the main components, such as the pump, boiler, water reservoir, flow controller, thermositor, and the control unit, are commonly shared by the single-serving and multi-serving brewing chambers or modules.
This invention provides a coffee or beverage machine, comprising: a main housing 1, a removable water reservoir 2, which can be detachably attached to side or front of the main housing 1, a single-serve brewing chamber or module 3 through which the brewed coffee or beverage flows directly into the cup 6 below, a drip-type brewing chamber or module 4 through which the brewed coffee or beverage flows directly into the serving carafe 5 below, a control system 7 and a control panel of the control system 7 which controls the pump 8, boiler 9, flow controller 10 , and thermositor 16. In an embodiment , the pump 8 is connected to a water reservoir 2 with a suitable pipe 13. In another embodiment, the pump is connected an external water source or supply. In an embodiment, the pump 8 is connected to the boiler 9 with a suitable pipe 14 in one position and to the water reservoir in another position. The boiler 9 is connected to the flow controller 10 with a suitable pipe 15 in one position and to the pump with a suitable pipe in another position. The flow controller 10 is connected by suitable piping to the single-serving brewing chamber or module in the first position, to the multi-serving brewing chamber or module in the second position, and to the boiler 9 in the third position. The single-serving brewing chamber or module uses a coffee pod (or pad) holder 12 to attach removable prepackage coffee pods (or pads) to the single-serving brewing chamber or module to brew one cup of coffee at a time. The multi-serving brewing chamber or module uses a drip coffee brew basket 11 to brew multiple cups of coffee, which flows directly into the carafe below. This invention provides an independent warming heater 19 located under the carafe for keeping brewed coffee or beverage warm.
This invention provides a coffee or beverage machine comprising a control system 7 for controlling the flow rate of the pump, the output temperature of the water from the boiler, and the flow controller for distributing water to the desired brewing module (s) . In an embodiment, operating processes of the control system of the machine or device of this invention are shown in Figure 8.
This invention provides a flow controller 10 comprising solenoid valves 17 and flow meters 18.
By using a control system to control the water pump and solenoid valve, the amount hot water transferred or delivered into brewing chambers can be precisely measured. In each water channel located between the flow controller and the brewing chamber or module, there is a flow meter 18 and an electrical solenoid valve 17. The amount of hot water flowing into each individual channel is measured and recorded by the flow meter 18 and the water amount data is sent back to the main control unit 7. When the required amount of water is pumped into the brewing chamber, the main control unit will send a signal to the appropriate electrical solenoid valve to shut off the flow of water into appropriate channel. Therefore, each chamber can be used simultaneously or individually and the amount of water can be precisely measured.
Furthermore, unlike conventional drip-type coffee makers, which frequently use up all the water in the water reservoir before the brewing process is complete, the water reservoir of the machine of this invention has enough capacity to make numerous servings of coffee or beverage without having to constantly refill the water reservoir. Furthermore, the amount of brewed coffee can be precisely controlled, i.e. from one cup up to many cups. In addition, by using an electric pump, the water reservoir can be placed in different positions, such as the front or the side . The pump can even be attached to an external water pipeline or supply.
Since the boiler system is electronically controlled, the hot water temperature is always monitored. The hot water can be adjusted and controlled to the desired or optimized temperature to brew perfect tasting coffee.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A device for making coffee or beverage, comprising:
a) a water supply means housed in the body of said device;
b) a pump means housed in the body of said device, wherein said pump means is connected to said water supply means in the first position by pipe means and to a water heating means housed in the body of said device by pipe means in the second position;
c) a flow controller means housed in the body of said device, wherein said flow controller is connected to a single-serve brewing means in the first position by pipe means, to a drip-type brewing means in the second position by pipe means, and to said water heating means in the third position by pipe means ; and,
d) an electronic control means housed in the body of said device, wherein said electronic control means controls the temperature and quantity of water transferred to said single-serve brewing means and said drip-type brewing means.
2. The device as in claim 1 , wherein the capacity of said water supply means is at least 2 liters.
3. The device as in claim 1, wherein said water supply means is detachably attached to the body of said device.
The device as in claim 1, wherein said water heating means is constructed of metal or other suitable material.
The device of claims 1, wherein said water heating means is controlled by an automatic water temperature controller.
6. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein said water heating means is controlled by an automatic water temperature controller.
7. The device as in claim 1, wherein said pump means is capable of supplying hot water to said single-serve brewing means to produce one cup of brewed beverage in less than 30 seconds .
8. The device as in claim 1, wherein said pump means is capable of supplying hot water to said drip-type brewing means to produce 12 cups of brewed beverage in less than 6 minutes.
9. The device as in claim 1, further comprising an independent heating means for keeping brewed beverage warm.
10. The device as in claim 1, wherein said pump means is controlled by a computer.
11. The device as in any one of claims 1-4 or 6-8, wherein said pump means is controlled by a computer.
12. The device as in claim 10, wherein said drip-type brewing means is capable of accurately making 1 to 12 cups of coffee .
13. The device as in claim 10, wherein said single-serve brewing means is capable of accurately making 1 cup of coffee.
14. The device as in claim 1, wherein said water supply means can be loaded detachably attached to the body of said device from the front or side.
15. The device as in any one of claims 1-4, 6-8, or 10-11, wherein said water supply means can be loaded detachably attached to the body of said device from the front or side.
16. The device as in claim 14, wherein the water supply means is as shown on figure 1.
17. The device as in claim 14, wherein the water supply means is connected to an external water supply.
18. The device as in claim 17, wherein said single-serve brewing chamber is adapted to brewprepackaged coffee pads .
19. A method for brewing single to multiple cups of coffee or beverage automatically, comprising the steps as shown in Figure 8.
20. A method for brewing single to multiple cups of coffee or beverage, comprising the steps as shown in Figure 8.
PCT/US2005/016242 2004-05-06 2005-05-05 Single/multiple beverage machine WO2005107540A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007511715A JP2007536020A (en) 2004-05-06 2005-05-05 Beverage machine for one or more cups
AU2005240216A AU2005240216B2 (en) 2004-05-06 2005-05-05 Single/multiple beverage machine

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/839,883 2004-05-06
US10/839,883 US7089849B2 (en) 2004-05-06 2004-05-06 Single/multiple beverage machine
EP05001339A EP1593328B1 (en) 2004-05-06 2005-01-24 Single/multiple beverage machine
EP05001339.0 2005-01-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005107540A1 true WO2005107540A1 (en) 2005-11-17
WO2005107540A8 WO2005107540A8 (en) 2006-06-08

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PCT/US2005/016242 WO2005107540A1 (en) 2004-05-06 2005-05-05 Single/multiple beverage machine

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JP (1) JP2007536020A (en)
AU (1) AU2005240216B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2005107540A1 (en)

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WO2008104751A1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2008-09-04 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Improvements in or relating to a machine for the preparation of beverages
WO2008129376A2 (en) * 2007-04-24 2008-10-30 Gino Rapparini Improvements to machines for the production of espresso-like infusions
CN100453015C (en) * 2007-07-18 2009-01-21 邬志坚 Automatic control type hot-gallbladder-free intelligent drinking machine
WO2011151703A2 (en) 2010-05-31 2011-12-08 Tuttoespresso S.R.L. Device and method for preparation of beverages with differing tastes
ITBS20120082A1 (en) * 2012-05-15 2013-11-16 Capitani Srl INFUSED DRINK MACHINE
DE102016212988A1 (en) 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 Wmf Group Gmbh Coffee machine for preparing pressure-extracted coffee with low particle content, method and use of the coffee machine
US11524268B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2022-12-13 Pepsico, Inc. Carbonated beverage makers, methods, and systems
US11617468B2 (en) 2017-02-20 2023-04-04 Wmf Gmbh Filter capsule for secondary filtration of coffee and use thereof

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ITBO20110524A1 (en) * 2011-09-14 2013-03-15 Macchiavelli Srl METHOD AND PLANT FOR THE PREPARATION OF A BEVERAGE
JP6299080B2 (en) * 2013-04-25 2018-03-28 タイガー魔法瓶株式会社 coffee maker
US10156468B2 (en) * 2015-10-20 2018-12-18 Sharkninja Operating Llc Dynamic calibration compensation for flow meter

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US6401729B1 (en) * 2000-08-21 2002-06-11 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Beverage reservoir cleaning apparatus and method of use

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US5778765A (en) * 1995-12-30 1998-07-14 Braun Aktiengesellschaft Beverage brewing apparatus
US5829340A (en) * 1997-04-15 1998-11-03 Yang; Po-Han Coffee maker
US6401729B1 (en) * 2000-08-21 2002-06-11 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Beverage reservoir cleaning apparatus and method of use

Cited By (20)

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US9723944B2 (en) 2007-02-27 2017-08-08 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Machine for the preparation of beverages
WO2008104751A1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2008-09-04 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Improvements in or relating to a machine for the preparation of beverages
US8887622B2 (en) 2007-02-27 2014-11-18 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
KR20150039886A (en) * 2007-02-27 2015-04-13 크라프트 푸즈 알앤디, 인크. Improvements in or relating to a machine for the preparation of beverages
US9668606B2 (en) 2007-02-27 2017-06-06 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Machine for the preparation of beverages
KR101880795B1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2018-07-20 크라프트 푸즈 알앤디, 인크. Improvements in or relating to a machine for the preparation of beverages
US11684200B2 (en) 2007-02-27 2023-06-27 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Machine for the preparation of beverages
US10729276B2 (en) 2007-02-27 2020-08-04 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. In or relating to a machine for the preparation of beverages
WO2008129376A2 (en) * 2007-04-24 2008-10-30 Gino Rapparini Improvements to machines for the production of espresso-like infusions
WO2008129376A3 (en) * 2007-04-24 2009-03-26 Gino Rapparini Improvements to machines for the production of espresso-like infusions
CN100453015C (en) * 2007-07-18 2009-01-21 邬志坚 Automatic control type hot-gallbladder-free intelligent drinking machine
WO2011151703A2 (en) 2010-05-31 2011-12-08 Tuttoespresso S.R.L. Device and method for preparation of beverages with differing tastes
EP3207835A1 (en) 2010-05-31 2017-08-23 Tuttoespresso S.r.l. Device and method for preparation of beverages with differing tastes
ITBS20120082A1 (en) * 2012-05-15 2013-11-16 Capitani Srl INFUSED DRINK MACHINE
WO2018011020A1 (en) 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 Wmf Group Gmbh Coffee machine for preparing coffee which is extracted under pressure and has a low particle content, method therefor and use of the coffee machine
US11324355B2 (en) 2016-07-15 2022-05-10 Wmf Gmbh Coffee machine for preparation of pressure-extracted coffee with a low particle content
DE102016212988A1 (en) 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 Wmf Group Gmbh Coffee machine for preparing pressure-extracted coffee with low particle content, method and use of the coffee machine
US11524268B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2022-12-13 Pepsico, Inc. Carbonated beverage makers, methods, and systems
US12048905B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2024-07-30 Pepsico, Inc. Carbonation cup for carbonated beverage maker
US11617468B2 (en) 2017-02-20 2023-04-04 Wmf Gmbh Filter capsule for secondary filtration of coffee and use thereof

Also Published As

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AU2005240216B2 (en) 2011-01-20
WO2005107540A8 (en) 2006-06-08
JP2007536020A (en) 2007-12-13
AU2005240216A1 (en) 2005-11-17

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