WO2021152636A1 - Beverage brewing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein, is a beverage brewing device that has an adaptive brewing system. The adaptive brewing system includes a microcontroller, a level sensor, and an induction heater for controlling brewing of hot beverages. The level sensor detects liquid level of liquid mixture in a brewing pot. When the level sensor detects rise in the liquid level of the liquid mixture, the microcontroller adjusts rate of heating of the induction heater. The adaptive brewing system is designed in such a way that a brewing time for the hot beverage changes according to temperature of milk and water and ambient temperature.

Description

BEVERAGE BREWING DEVICE

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a beverage brewing device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adaptive brewing system of the beverage brewing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Beverage preparation machines often utilize cartridges that contain various beverage ingredients, e.g., coffee beans, tea leaves, etc., such that a beverage, e.g., coffee or tea, can be made using the machines. The machines further include a pump to fetch water from a water reservoir and pass the fetched water through a heating means, e.g., a thermoblock, a steam generator, or the like. Hot beverages such as tea/coffee are prepared by adding hot or boiling water to tea/coffee powder. In order to minimize preparation time of a hot beverage and to get the hot beverage instantly, many hot beverage brewing machines have been developed across the world. Especially in the field of coffee/tea preparation, machines have been widely developed in which coffee/tea powder is dispensed into a brewing vessel. Hot water and milk are then injected into the brewing vessel, and a heating element, e.g., an induction heater that is integrated with the machine at bottom of the brewing vessel is used to brew liquid mixture of hot water, milk, and tea powder. Sugar may be added to the brewed mixture to make the coffee/tea.

In existing hot beverage brewing machines, brewing process is dependent on time factor. Such machines use a timer to control the time limit for brewing process depending on requested number of cups of beverage. Once user selects number of cups of tea/coffee, the machine determines a brewing time in which the heating element has to brew liquid mixture of hot water, milk, tea/coffee powder, and sweetener in the brewing vessel. Due to induction heating, the liquid mixture tends to boil over. In order to prevent the liquid mixture from boil over, the existing hot beverage brewing machines use two techniques. First, the determined brewing time is ensured to be less than time required for boil over of the liquid mixture. However, in such machines, brewing process does not account whether the beverage is properly brewed or not. Second, a small blower is mounted in proximity to top of the brewing vessel and is programmed for preventing the liquid mixture from falling over the brewing vessel due to boil over. However, in such machines, the blower needs to continuously blow air throughout the brewing time, leading to temperature change in the liquid mixture. The temperature change in the liquid mixture may affect the brewing time of the liquid mixture. Because of the existing brewing machines, the user is not able to get his/her preferred taste of beverage.

There exists a need for a brewing system that can automatically adjust brewing time of beverages with high precision and prevent the beverages from boil over.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein. An object of the present disclosure is to develop an adaptive brewing system that automatically controls brewing time of beverages.

Another object of the present disclosure is to develop an adaptive brewing system that provides consistent boiling and prevents boiling over of milk from a brewing pot.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure discloses a beverage brewing device. The beverage brewing device includes an upright housing and a pot holding platform attached to bottom of the upright housing. The pot holding platform holds a brewing pot. The device further includes a cartridge positioned in the upright housing to hold a beverage powder. A motor is attached to the cartridge to dispense the beverage powder to the brewing pot. A pump system is positioned in the upright housing to fetch water and milk from a water reservoir and a milk container, respectively and deliver the water and the milk to the brewing pot. An induction heater is integrated to the pot holding platform. The induction heater is used to heat a liquid mixture of the water, the milk, and the beverage powder in the brewing pot. A level sensor is positioned outwardly from the upright housing and above the pot holding platform to detect level of the liquid mixture. The microcontroller is connected to the induction heater, the motor, the pump system, and the level sensor. The level sensor sends data of liquid level to the microcontroller. When the microcontroller determines the level of the liquid mixture is at a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the brewing pot, the microcontroller adjusts rate of heating of the induction heater to prevent boil over of the liquid mixture.

The beverage brewing device with an adaptive brewing system has several advantages over the existing beverage brewing systems. The adaptive brewing system adjusts brewing time of the liquid mixture according to initial temperature of the liquid mixture and ambience temperature. As the adaptive brewing system adjusts rate of heating of the induction heater based on rise in liquid level detected by the level sensor, the adaptive brewing system can provide consistent heating to the liquid mixture irrespective of initial temperature of the ingredients such as milk and water used in the liquid mixture. The adaptive brewing system further allows users to set up customized count of boiling cycles, according to user preferences, thereby adjusting beverage strength. The adaptive brewing system prevents boiling over of the milk or the liquid mixture in the brewing pot.

These and other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Embodiments of the present invention will herein after be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which: FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C illustrates a right side view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. ID illustrates a top view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. IE illustrates a front view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 illustrates an internal block diagram of an adaptive brewing system of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective views of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates a method for adaptive brewing of the hot beverage brewing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “an article” may include a plurality of articles unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention.

There may be additional components described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.

Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention constitutes an adaptive brewing system of a hot beverage brewing device. Accordingly, the components have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

While typical embodiments have been set forth for the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the disclosure or appended claims. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. A hot beverage brewing device 100 (also referred to as a "hot beverage brewing machine") according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 A-1E. FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hot beverage brewing device 100 may include an upright housing 102 enclosing internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100. The hot beverage brewing device 100 may further include a pot holding platform 104 that is attached to bottom of the upright housing 102. The pot holding platform 104 may form a base of the hot beverage brewing device 100. In an embodiment, the pot holding platform 104 may extend outwardly from the bottom of the upright housing 102. As shown in FIG. 1A, the upright housing 102 may be of L-shaped shell. The hot beverage brewing device 100 may include a dispenser head 106 that extends outwardly from the upright housing 102 and towards the pot holding platform 104. The dispenser head 106 may be positioned above the pot holding platform 104 and spaced at a vertical distance from the pot holding platform 104. The vertical distance between the pot holding platform 104 and the dispenser head 106 can adequately accommodate a brewing pot 108 for receiving beverage ingredients such as water, milk, sweetener, beverage powder, and the like from the dispenser head 106.

The hot beverage brewing device 100 further includes a human-machine interface (HMI) 110 (hereinafter referred to as “HMI 110”) that is adapted to receive, store, and execute a plurality of instructions of the hot beverage brewing device 100. The HMI 110 is attached to the upright housing 102. The HMI 110 may be used for communicating recipe of a hot beverage to the hot beverage brewing device 100 by a user. The HMI 110 may have a touch screen that allows the user to select the beverage ingredients of his/her preference to brew the hot beverage. The HMI 110 enables the user to operate the hot beverage brewing device 100. The HMI 110 may indicate various options selectable by the user. The various options may be beverage type, number of cups of beverage, number of boiling cycles, quantity of the beverage ingredients for each cup of beverage, and the like. The HMI 110 further indicates various error and warning messages and other necessary functions to operate the hot beverage brewing device 100. The HMI 110 allows the user to place an order for a beverage via Internet. The HMI 110 further includes at least one of 3G/4G LTE/5G/GPRS/GSM phone communication module, an IEEE 802.11 network communication module, and a Bluetooth local communication module. The HMI 110 may further include a memory to store information related to orders placed by the user. Moreover, the HMI 110 can generate daily, weekly, or monthly reports on the usage of the hot beverage brewing machine 100.

The hot beverage brewing device 100 is coupled to a power supply (shown later in FIG. 2) to internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100. In an embodiment, the hot beverage brewing device 100 may include a power ON/OFF switch (not shown) to turn ON and OFF the power supply to the hot beverage brewing device 100. As shown in FIG. 1A, the hot beverage brewing device 100 fetches milk from a milk container 1000 for brewing the hot beverage.

FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hot beverage brewing device 100 includes an induction plate 112 that is integrated to a top end of the pot holding platform 104. The pot holding platform 104 houses an electromagnetic induction coil 114 that is positioned beneath the induction plate 112. Thus, the induction plate 112 and the electromagnetic induction coil 114 together act as an induction heater that heats the brewing pot 108 for brewing the hot beverage. In a preferred embodiment, the brewing pot 108 is an induction compatible vessel. The power supply may be coupled to the electromagnetic induction coil 114. In an embodiment, the induction plate 112 may be a glass ceramic. In an embodiment, the induction plate 112 may extend till edges of the top surface of the pot holding platform 104. In another embodiment, the induction plate 112 may extend over a middle portion of the top surface of the pot holding platform 104. When the brewing pot 108 is on top of the induction plate 112 and the electromagnetic induction coil 114 receives the power supply, the induction plate 112 supplies heat to the brewing pot 108.

As shown in FIG. IB, the upright housing 102 includes a holding plate 116 that is parallel to the pot holding platform 104 and is positioned at a distance from the pot holding platform 104. The holding plate 116 supports the dispenser head 106. The holding plate 106 forms a base of the upright housing 102. The dispenser head 106 extends outwardly from the holding plate 116. The hot beverage brewing device 100 further includes a level sensor 118 that is positioned adjacent to the dispenser head 106 and outwardly extends from the holding plate 116 of the upright housing 102. As shown in FIG. IB, the brewing pot 108 is in line of sight of the level sensor 118 so that the level sensor 118 tracks rise of the liquid level in the brewing pot 108. The level sensor 118 is used to prevent milk from boiling over in the brewing pot 108. In an embodiment, the level sensor 118 may be an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic waves on to a surface of liquid in the brewing pot 108. The ultrasonic waves are then reflected from a boundary surface of rise in the liquid level in the brewing pot 108. The reflected ultrasonic waves are received by the ultrasonic sensor. The rise of the liquid level in the brewing pot 108 can be determined, for example, on the basis of transit time of the ultrasonic waves. In another embodiment, the level sensor 118 may be an infrared sensor. In yet another embodiment, the level sensor 118 may be a camera. The camera records a video feed of level of liquid in the brewing pot 108. A machine learning algorithm may be trained to identify the differences in images between still and rising liquid levels in the brewing pot 108. Using the trained machine learning algorithm, the video feed may be processed to identify rise in liquid level in the brewing pot 108.

The hot beverage brewing device 100 includes a plurality of cartridges 120a-120d to hold ingredients of hot beverages. In a preferred embodiment, the ingredients may be tea powder, coffee powder, sugar or sweetener, masala tea powder, and the like. The hot beverage brewing device 100 includes a support frame 122 that holds the plurality of cartridges 120a-120d in proximity to the dispenser head 106. The plurality of cartridges 120a-120d are positioned adjacent to each other. The plurality of cartridges 120a-120d are explained in detail with respect to FIG. ID.

The hot beverage brewing device 100 further includes first and second pumps 124 and 126 to fetch and dispense water and milk, respectively, to the brewing pot 108. In an embodiment, the first pump 124 may be a peristaltic pump that fetches water from a water line or a water reservoir (shown later in FIG. 2) through a first flow meter (shown later in FIG. 2), which is coupled to a suction side to the first pump 124 for determining an amount of hot water delivered to the brewing pot 108. When desired amount of water is fetched from the water reservoir, the water is allowed to pass through a heating means (shown later in FIG. 2) such that hot water is delivered to the brewing pot 108. The flow rate of the water that passes through the heating means is adjusted by the first pump 124 to ensure desired dispensing temperature of the water. The heating means may be a thermoblock, a steam heater, an induction heater, and the like. In an embodiment, the second pump 126 may be a solenoid pump that fetches milk from the milk container 1000 through a second flow meter (shown later in FIG. 2), which is coupled to a suction side of the second pump 126 for determining an amount of milk delivered to the brewing pot 108. In an embodiment, the first pump 124 and the second pump 126 together form a pump system. In another embodiment, the hot beverage brewing device 100 may use a standalone pump to fetch and deliver the milk and the water to the brewing pot 108.

The hot beverage brewing device 100 includes an impeller 128, positioned in proximity to the dispenser head 106, that releases entrained water vapor formed while heating the water before the hot water is dispensed in the brewing pot 108. The impeller 128 acts as an exhaust fan to release entrained gasses within the hot beverage brewing device 100. The pot holding platform 104 further houses a status indicator 130 to indicate working status of the hot beverage brewing device 100. The status indicator 130 may be a light-emitting diode (LED). FIG. 1C illustrates a right side view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1C, the hot beverage brewing device 100 further includes an integrated circuit 132 that is positioned at a back end of the upright housing 102. The integrated circuit 132 may include a microcontroller (shown later in FIG. 2) that is connected to internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100. The functionality of the microcontroller is explained in detail with respect to FIG. 2.

FIG. ID illustrates a top view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. ID, the plurality of cartridges 120a-120d has a plurality of discharge ducts 134a-134d that extend outwardly from the corresponding plurality of cartridges 120a-120d. As shown in FIGS. 1C and ID, the plurality of discharge ducts 134a-134d extend into the dispenser head 106. Moreover, the hot beverage brewing device 100 includes a plurality of motors 136a-136d that are connected to the corresponding plurality of cartridges 120a-120d. Each motor of the plurality of motors 136a- 136d actuates a volumetric dosing mechanism (not shown) that is positioned in each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges 120a-120d to dispense an ingredient through a corresponding discharge duct of the plurality of discharge ducts 134a-134d. The volumetric dosing mechanism of the present disclosure is well known in the art. In an embodiment, each motor of the plurality of motors 136a- 136d may be a stepper motor.

FIG. IE illustrates a front view showing various internal components of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. IE, the HMI 110 may be a smart device such as tablet, phone, and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates an internal block diagram 200 of an adaptive brewing system 202 of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adaptive brewing system 202 includes the microcontroller (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the microcontroller 204”), the level sensor 118, the plurality of motors 136a-136d, the induction heater 206, the HMI 110, the first and second pumps 124 and 126, the first flow meter (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the first flow meter 208”), the heating means (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the heating means 210”), the second flow meter (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the second flow meter 212”), and the power supply (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the power supply 214”). The internal block diagram 200 also discloses the water reservoir (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the water reservoir 2000”) and the milk container 1000 that are positioned external to the hot beverage brewing device 100. The adaptive brewing system 202 is a specially designed system for controlling brewing of hot beverages, such as tea and coffee. The adaptive brewing system 202 is designed to adjust brewing time (boiling time) of the beverage ingredients in the brewing pot 108 to prepare the hot beverage according to temperature of milk, temperature of water, and ambient temperature.

The microcontroller 204 receives power from the power supply 214. The microcontroller 204 is connected to the level sensor 118, the plurality of motors 136a-136d, the induction heater 206, the first and second pumps 124 and 126, the first flow meter 208, the heating means 210, and the second flow meter 212. The HMI 110 allows the user to select desired beverage type, desired number of cups of selected beverage, and desired number of boiling cycles. The microcontroller 204 receives instructions to prepare a hot beverage desired by the user from the HMI 110. Based on the instructions, the microcontroller 204 controls operations of the level sensor 118, the plurality of motors 136a-136d, the induction heater 206, the first and second pumps 124 and 126, the first flow meter 208, the heating means 210, and the second flow meter 212 to prepare the hot beverage desired by the user.

The microcontroller 204 can be configured to actuate the first and second pumps 124 and 126 to selectively fetch a desired amount of water and milk from the water reservoir 2000 and the milk container 1000, respectively. The microcontroller 204 may adjust flow rate of the first and second pumps 124 and 126 by intermittently turning ON and OFF the first and second pumps 124 and 126 or by regulating voltage delivered to the first and second pumps 124 and 126. Based on the instructions received from the HMI 110 on number of cups of selected beverage, the microcontroller 204 may determine amount of water and milk to be fetched from the water reservoir 2000 and the milk container 1000, respectively. The first flow meter 208 may be positioned in a path between the water reservoir 2000 and the first pump 124. Similarly, the second flow meter 212 may positioned in a path between the milk container 1000 and the second pump 126. When the water and milk flows through the first and second flow meters 208 and 212, respectively, the microcontroller 204 counts number of pulses from the first and second flow meters 208 and 212. The number of pulses generated by each flow meter of the first and second flow meters 208 and 212 is used to ensure that the desired amount of water and milk (as required by the user’s preference) is passed through the first and second flow meters 208 and 212, respectively. The microcontroller 204 may be pre-programmed to store calibrations of amount of water and milk required for each cup of beverage in a memory (not shown). The microcontroller 204 can be further configured to control the heating means 210 to selectively set temperature delivered to the water fetched from the water reservoir 2000. The heating means 210 may be positioned at a discharge side of the first pump 124 so that the first pump 124 delivers hot water to the brewing pot 108.

The microcontroller 204 can be configured to actuate the plurality of motors 136a-136d to selectively dispense ingredients such as tea powder, coffee powder, sweetener, and the like from the corresponding plurality of cartridges 120a-120d. The plurality of motors 136a-136d are used to dispense the ingredients to the brewing pot 108 via the plurality of discharge ducts 134a-134d corresponding to the plurality of cartridges 120a-120d. Based on the instructions received from the HMI 110 on the beverage type and the number of cups of the selected beverage, the microcontroller 204 may determine the amount of selected beverage powder and sweetener to be dispensed to the brewing pot 108 through the dispenser head 106. The microcontroller 204 may be pre-programmed to store calibrations of the amount of beverage powder and sweetener required for each cup of beverage in the memory.

In an embodiment, the microcontroller 204 controls the first pump 124, the second pump 126, the heating means 210, and the plurality of motors 136a-136d to dispense beverage ingredients such as hot water, milk, beverage power, and sweetener to the brewing pot 108. The beverage ingredients received in the brewing pot 108 form a liquid mixture. Once the brewing pot 108 receives the beverage ingredients, the microcontroller 204 turns on the induction heater 206. The induction heater 206 includes the induction plate 112 and the electromagnetic induction coil 114 to generate heat from power supplied by the power supply 214. The microcontroller 204 can be configured to control rate of heating of the induction heater 206. Based on the instructions received from the HMI 110 on number of boiling cycles, the microcontroller 204 may reduce or increase the rate of heating of the induction heater 206. The induction heater 206 boils the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108, resulting in rise of liquid level in the brewing pot 108. If the induction heater 206 continues to boil the liquid mixture, the milk may boil over, leading to over-spill of the liquid mixture on to the induction plate 112. The microcontroller 204 needs to control rate of heating of the induction heater 206 to prevent boiling over of milk. Hence, in the adaptive brewing system 202, the functioning of the induction heater 206 is dependent on the level sensor 118.

The level sensor 118 is used to sense level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. Particularly, the level sensor 118 detects rising level of the liquid mixture to prevent the milk from boiling over.

The microcontroller 204 triggers the level sensor 118 once the induction heater 206 is turned on to boil the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The level sensor 118 continuously sends data of liquid level in the brewing pot 108 to the microcontroller 204. Once the microcontroller 204 determines that the liquid level is raised to a predetermined distance in the brewing pot 108 from the data, the microcontroller 204 reduces rate of heating of the induction heater 206. As the rate of heating of the induction heater 206 is reduced, the raised liquid level of the liquid mixture slowly goes down, preventing boiling over of the milk in the brewing pot 108. The microcontroller 204 is pre-programmed to store predetermined distances that liquid level may rise for each cup of beverage to prevent boil over of the liquid mixture in the memory. The microcontroller 204 may increase the rate of heating of the induction heater 206 to commence another boiling cycle. Based on selected number of boiling cycles by the user, the microcontroller 204 increases or reduces the rate of heating of the induction heater 206. The rise in the liquid level to the predetermined distance measured by the level sensor 118 is attributed to highest allowable boiling point of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. When the level sensor 118 detects the liquid level is at the predetermined distance, the microcontroller 204 records it as an end of a boiling cycle. In an embodiment, the predetermined distance may be a distance between liquid level of the liquid mixture and a bottom surface of the brewing pot 108. In another embodiment, the predetermined distance may be a distance between liquid level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108 and the level sensor 118.

In an embodiment, upon receiving data from the level sensor 118, the microcontroller 204 may be configured to turn off the induction heater 206, thereby stopping the heating of the brewing pot 108 to prevent milk from boiling over. In another embodiment, the microcontroller 204 may be configured to adjust rate of heating of the induction heater 206 so that the liquid mixture undergoes one or more boiling cycles. When foaming starts during a last boiling cycle, the microcontroller 204 turns off the induction heater 206, thereby stopping the heating of the brewing pot 108 and ensuring the desired taste and consistency of the hot beverage.

In another embodiment, the level sensor 118 may be calibrated with predetermined distances of rise in liquid level in the brewing pot 108. When the level sensor 118 detects the rise in level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108, the microcontroller 204 may receive data from the level sensor 118, allowing the microcontroller 204 to adjust rate of heating of the induction heater 206. The level sensor 118 allows the adaptive brewing system 202 to adaptively adjust brewing time of the hot beverage. Once the adaptive brewing system 202 executes selected number of boiling cycles, the user may strain brewed mixture in the brewing pot 108 to have his/her desired hot beverage.

The adaptive brewing system 202 helps in preparing a hot beverage as per user’s preference by automatically adjusting brewing time for the hot beverage. As the brewing time can be controlled with the adaptive brewing system 202, the hot beverage brewing device 100 can provide the hot beverage as per user’s taste irrespective of variables such as temperature of milk/water, ambient temperature, and ratio of milk and water. The adaptive brewing system 202 constantly checks and controls boiling of the liquid mixture with the help of the level sensor 118, thereby achieving consistent boiling in the liquid mixture and avoiding over-spill from the brewing pot 108.

The adaptive brewing system 202 automatically avoids boiling over of the milk as the adaptive brewing system 202 constantly monitors rise in level of the liquid mixture and controls heating of the liquid mixture based on the rise in level of the liquid mixture.

For example, to prepare tea for two people, the user selects beverage type as tea, number of cups of beverage as two, and number of boiling cycles as two by way of the HMI 110. Based on the selected options, the HMI 110 sends instructions to the microcontroller 204 for execution of the instructions. The microcontroller 204 determines quantity of ingredients such as water, tea powder, milk and sweetener that are to be dispensed into the brewing pot 108. The microcontroller 204 controls the first and second pumps 124 and 126, the heating means 210, the first and second flow meters 208 and 212, and two motors of the plurality of motors 136a-136d to dispense hot water, milk, tea powder, and sweetener into the brewing pot 108. The hot water, milk, tea powder, and sweetener form a liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108.

The microcontroller 204 then initiates brewing process by turning on the induction heater 206 for heating the brewing pot 108. Once the induction heater 206 is turned on, the microcontroller 204 activates the level sensor 118. Once the level sensor 118 senses a rise in the liquid level to a predetermined distance, the microcontroller 204 reduces rate of heating of induction heater 206 to prevent boiling over of the milk in the brewing pot 108. Subsequently, microcontroller 204 records it as an end of a first boiling cycle. In order to initiate a second boiling cycle, the microcontroller 204 increases the rate of heating of the induction heater 206, leading to rise in liquid level in the brewing pot 108. Once the level sensor 118 again detects the rise in liquid level to the predetermined distance, the microcontroller 204 turns off the induction heater 206 to prevent boiling over of the milk in the brewing pot 108. Subsequently, the microcontroller 204 records it as an end of the second boiling cycle. The user can further strain the brewed mixture in the brewing pot 108 to pour two cups of tea.

In an embodiment, the hot beverage brewing device 100 may have a stirrer (not shown) to stir the ingredients. In another embodiment, the hot beverage brewing device 100 may have sensors to detects presence of each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges 120a-120d in its assembly position. Any sensor that senses the presence of each cartridge in the hot beverage brewing device 100 may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Based on input received from the sensors, the hot beverage brewing device 100 may report a message to the user on the HMI 110. In yet another embodiment, the hot beverage brewing device 100 may have a proximity sensor (not shown) that detects the presence of the brewing pot 108 on the pot holding platform 104. The proximity sensor may be attached to the upright housing 102 in proximity to the pot holding platform 104. The proximity sensor may be an infrared sensor.

FIGS. 3 A and 3B illustrate perspective views of the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, FIGS. 3 A and 3B have been described with respect to the upright housing 102, the pot holding platform 104, the dispenser head 106, and the brewing pot 108. The level sensor 118 may be an electrode sensing unit 302. The holding plate 116 of the upright housing 102 holds an electrode sensing unit 302 adjacent to the dispenser head 106 to measure rise in liquid level. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that structure of the holding plate 116 is designed in accordance with the electrode sensing unit 302.

The electrode sensing unit 302 includes a support frame 304, first and second electrodes 306a and 306b attached to the support frame 304, and a linear actuator 308 attached to the support frame 304. The first and second electrodes 306a and 306b are positioned parallel and spaced apart from each other. The linear actuator 308 allows the support frame 304 to move vertically up and down between a first position and a second position. The first and second electrodes 306a and 306b are used to sense level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The electrode sensing unit 302 is custom-built and is positioned on top of the pot holding platform 104 to easily move in and out of the brewing pot 108.

In an embodiment, the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b may have the shape of a wire or a plate with conductive properties. Each electrode of the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b has a contact tip that comes in contact with the liquid mixture to sense rising level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The first and second electrodes 306a and 306b detect rising level of the liquid mixture by means of conductive characteristics of a liquid. The first and second electrodes 306a-306b and the linear actuator 308 are in communication with the microcontroller 204. In an embodiment, the linear actuator 308 may be a ball screw mechanism. Any mechanism that provides vertical movement to the support frame 304 is within scope of the invention.

Based on user’s selection of number of cups of beverage, the microcontroller 204 determines the amount of water and liquid to be fetched from the water reservoir 2000 and the milk container 1000, respectively. Moreover, the microcontroller 204 determines a predetermined distance that the support frame 112 has to move vertically down from the first position (i.e., an initial position) so that when level of the liquid mixture rises, the rise in level of the liquid mixture comes in contact with the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b. When the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b come in contact with the rising level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108, the microcontroller 204 receives an input that a connection is established between the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b. Based on the received input, the microcontroller 204 adjusts rate of heating of the induction heater 206, thereby preventing the boiling over of the milk in the brewing pot 108. The microcontroller 204 controls the linear actuator 308 to control vertical movement of the support frame 304 to allow the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b to be positioned at the predetermined distance from still level of the liquid mixture based on user’s preference of number of cups of the beverage. For example, the support frame 304 would be positioned lower in the brewing pot 108 for a liquid mixture of two cups of beverage as compared to a liquid mixture of four cups of beverage.

The first and second electrodes 306a and 306b allow the microcontroller 204 to constantly check and control boiling of the beverage with the help of electrical conductivity through the liquid mixture, thereby achieving consistent boiling of the liquid mixture and avoiding over-spill from the brewing pot 108. The first position of the electrode sensing unit 302 refers to a resting position and the second position of the electrode sensing unit 302 refers to a position in which the support frame 304 is at the predetermined distance from still level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108.

For example, to prepare tea for two people, the user selects beverage type as tea and number of cups of beverage as two by way of the HMI 110. Based on the selected options, the HMI 110 sends instructions to the microcontroller 204 for execution of the instructions. The microcontroller 204 determines quantity of ingredients such as water, tea powder, milk and sweetener that to be dispensed into the brewing pot 108. The microcontroller 204 controls the first and second pumps 124 and 126, the heating means 210, the first and second flowmeters 208 and 212, and two motors of the plurality of motors 136a-136d to dispense hot water, milk, tea powder, and sweetener into the brewing pot 108. The hot water, milk, tea powder, and sweetener form a liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The microcontroller 204 then initiates brewing process by turning on the induction heater 206 for heating the brewing pot 108. Once the induction heater 206 is turned on, the microcontroller 204 activates the electrode sensing unit 302. Moreover, the microcontroller 204 determines a position of the support frame 304 with respect to the brewing pot 108 based on the user’s selection of the number of cups of tea.

As shown in Fig. 3A, the support frame 304 is in the first position. Based on user’s input, the microcontroller 204 controls the linear actuator 308 to move the support frame 304 from the first position to the second position as shown in Fig. 3B. The second position of the support frame 304 is at a predetermined distance from still level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The second position of the support frame 304 may correspond to the highest allowable boiling point of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The microcontroller 204 may be pre-programmed with data of various positions of the support frame 304 with respect to the brewing pot 108 for one or more number of cups of beverage.

In an embodiment, the microcontroller 204 may be configured to heat the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108 for the number of boiling cycles received from the user. The liquid mixture upon heating reaches a boiling point, where the liquid level rises. In such a scenario, the liquid mixture may rise and touch the contact tips of the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b. Subsequently, the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b transmit a signal to the microcontroller 204, indicating completion of a boiling cycle. Upon receiving the signal from the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b, the microcontroller 204 may be configured to turn off the induction heater 206, thereby stopping the heating of the brewing pot 108 to prevent the liquid mixture from boiling over. In another embodiment, the microcontroller 204 may be configured to adjust rate of heating of the induction heater 206 so that the liquid mixture undergoes one or more boiling cycles. When foaming starts during a last boiling cycle, the induction heater 206 is turned off thus preventing boiling over of the liquid mixture and ensuring the desired taste and consistency of the tea.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart 400 that illustrates a method for adaptive brewing in the hot beverage brewing device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

At step 402, the hot beverage brewing device 100 receives user preferences through the HMI 110. The user preferences may include type of beverage.

At step 404, the hot beverage brewing device 100 receives preferred number of cups of beverage from the user through the HMI 110. Upon receiving the user preference regarding the preferred number of cups of beverage, the microcontroller 204 determines quantity of ingredients such as water, milk, beverage powder, and sweetener to dispense into the brewing pot 108.

At step 406, the microcontroller 204 determines a position of first and second electrodes 306a and 306b based on the preferred number of cups of beverage to be prepared. The position of the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b corresponds to highest allowable boiling level of liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108.

At step 408, the hot beverage brewing device 100 further receives a preferred number of boiling cycles from the user through the HMI 110.

At step 410, the microcontroller 204 initiates the heating of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108 by turning on the induction heater 206.

At step 412, the microcontroller 204 determines whether the liquid level has made contact with the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b. If at step 412, it is determined that there is no contact between the liquid mixture and the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b, then control is passed to step 410. If at step 414, it is determined that there is a contact between the liquid mixture and the first and second electrodes 306a and 306b, step 414 is performed.

At step 414, the microcontroller 204 either stops the induction heater 206 or reduces rate of heating of the induction heater 206, preventing boiling over of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108.

At step 416, the microcontroller 204 increments the count of boiling cycle by one.

At step 418, the microcontroller 204 determines whether the liquid mixture has undergone the preferred number of boiling cycles. If at step 418, the microcontroller 204 determines that the liquid mixture has not undergone the preferred number of boiling cycles, the control will be passed to step 410. If at step 418, the microcontroller 204 determines that the liquid mixture has undergone the preferred number of boiling cycles, the microcontroller 204 will end brewing process of the liquid mixture.

The adaptive brewing system 202 of the hot beverage brewing device 100 has several advantages over the existing systems. The adaptive brewing system 202 of the present disclosure adjusts brewing time of the liquid mixture according to initial temperature of the liquid mixture and ambience temperature. As the adaptive brewing system 202 adjusts rate of heating of the induction heater 206 based on rise in liquid level detected by the level sensor 118, the adaptive brewing system 202 can provide consistent heating to the liquid mixture irrespective of initial temperature of the ingredients such as milk, water used in the liquid mixture. The adaptive brewing system 202 further allows users to set up customized count of boiling cycles, according to user preferences, thereby adjusting beverage strength. The adaptive brewing system 202 prevents boiling over of the milk or the liquid mixture in the brewing pot 108. The present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Although selected embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it may be understood that various substitutions and alterations are possible. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings may recognize additional various substitutions and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage brewing device comprising: an upright housing; a pot holding platform attached to bottom of the upright housing, wherein the pot holding platform holds a brewing pot; a cartridge positioned in the upright housing to hold a beverage powder; a motor attached to the cartridge to dispense the beverage powder from the cartridge to the brewing pot; a pump system positioned in the upright housing to fetch water and milk from a water reservoir and a milk container, respectively and deliver the water and the milk to the brewing pot; an induction heater integrated to the pot holding platform, wherein the induction heater is used to heat a liquid mixture of the water, the milk, and the beverage powder in the brewing pot; a level sensor positioned outwardly from the upright housing and above the pot holding platform to detect level of the liquid mixture in the brewing pot; and a microcontroller connected to the induction heater, the motor, the pump system, and the level sensor, wherein the level sensor sends data of the level of the liquid mixture to the microcontroller, and wherein when the microcontroller determines that the level of the liquid mixture is at a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the brewing pot, the microcontroller adjusts rate of heating of the induction heater to prevent boil over of the liquid mixture.

2. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, further comprising a human- machine interface that is adapted to receive and store a plurality of instructions provided by a user.

3. The beverage brewing device of claim 2, wherein the microcontroller is connected to the human-machine interface to execute the plurality of instructions provided by the user.

4. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, wherein the pump system comprises a first pump and a second pump.

5. The beverage brewing device of claim 4, further comprising a first flow meter that is positioned on a suction side of the first pump to measure a quantity of the water delivered to the brewing pot.

6. The beverage brewing device of claim 5, further comprising a second flow meter that is positioned on a suction side of the second pump to measure a quantity of the milk delivered to the brewing pot.

7. The beverage brewing device of claim 6, wherein the microcontroller is connected to the first flow meter and the second flow meter, and wherein the microcontroller controls the quantities of the milk and the water delivered to the brewing pot.

8. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, wherein the level sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

9. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, wherein the level sensor is an electrode sensing unit.

10. The beverage brewing device of claim 9, wherein the electrode sensing unit comprises a support frame, first and second electrodes attached to the support frame, and a linear actuator that is attached to the support frame, and wherein the linear actuator vertically moves the support frame to allow the first and second electrodes to come in contact with the liquid mixture.