Bunn-o-matic Corporation

Dickey-john Corporation

James H Anson

David F Ford

Arthur H Bunn

Alan W Brewer

William E Midden

David E Steffen

John T Knepler

Daniel R Ephraim

Brent R Friedrich

Charles A Nidiffer

Henry L Foley

Philip C Ephraim

Raymond Bledsoe

James L Kates

Harold O McCarty

Ray E Bledsoe, Jr

Robert C Lanphier, Iii

An apparatus, system and method for dispensing water at a variety of temperatures and volumes. The apparatus includes at least two tanks having different temperatures, controlled by a controller. A calculated volume of water from tanks having different water temperatures, is dispensed to provide a desired temperature and volume of water. Flow from the tanks is controlled by valves receiving signals from the controller.

Multiple hot water dispensing system

Disclosed is a grinder which includes a grinder assembly retained in a housing. The grinder assembly receives material for grinding such as coffee beans. Grinding burrs are provided, one of which is rotated by a grinder drive motor of the grinder assembly. The other of the burrs is generally non-rotatable with regard to the general grinding operation. The two grinding burrs are provided with grinding surfaces against which beans are ground. The grinding surfaces are spaced a desired dimension away from each other to produce a desired grind of coffee. An apparatus, system and method is disclosed for adjusting at least the generally non-rotatable burr to maintain, calibrate or otherwise adjust the dimension or gap between the grinding surfaces of the burrs.

Adjustable grinder

A heated water dispensing apparatus has been described. The heated water dispensing apparatus includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of water, a selector for selecting a temperature of water and a volume of water to be dispensed, and a controllable dispense valve for automatically dispensing water from the reservoir. The heated water dispensing apparatus also includes a weighing assembly which generates a weight control signal relating to the volume of water dispensed through the dispense valve and at least one device outlet valve for providing heated water to a remote device. The heated water dispensing apparatus also includes a controller. The controller operates the dispense valve in accordance with the weight control signal so that a selected volume of water is automatically and accurately dispensed. The controller also operates the dispense valve to prevent dispensing of water through the dispense valve before water of a selected temperature has been produced. The controller operates the device outlet valve so that a predetermined quantity of water at a predetermined flowrate and a predetermined temperature is dispensed to a selected remote device.

Heated water dispensing system

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus is described. The automatic beverage brewing apparatus includes a controllable brewing device and a controllable brewing substance dispenser communicating with the brewing device. The automatic beverage brewing apparatus includes a housing in which at least one receptacle is retained proximate the brewing device for receiving brewed beverage from the brewing device. A plurality of controllable dispense valves are provided for controlling the flow of brewed beverage from the brewing device to the receptacles. Each receptacle includes a controllable outlet valve for automatically dispensing brewed beverage from the receptacle and a controllable disposal valve for automatically emptying the receptacle of brewed beverage. Each receptacle is supported on a weight sensing device which generates a weight control signal relating to the weight of brewed beverage retained in the receptacle. A controller receives the weight control signals and determines in response to each weight control signal the volume of brewed beverage retained within in a receptacle. The controller operates the dispensing valves, controllable outlet valves, and controllable disposal valves in accordance with the determined volumes.

Beverage brewing system

A beverage brewing method for producing a brewed beverage having a serving temperature within a predetermined serving temperature range. A beverage brewing appliance includes a brewing apparatus for infusing a beverage brewing substance retained therein to extract a brewed beverage therefrom. The appliance also includes a first water source having a water heater coupled thereto for providing and delivering brewing water to the brewing apparatus within a predetermined range of brewing temperatures to produce a desired brewed beverage. The brewing appliance also includes a second water source for providing and delivering temperature reduction water to the brewed beverage within a temperature range which, when mixed with the brewed beverage results in a final beverage dispensed from the brewing apparatus within a predetermined serving temperature ranges. The second water source is coupled with a temperature manipulating structure to deliver a desired quantity of temperature reduction water which will result in the beverage being dispensed within the predetermined range of serving temperature.

Methods of brewing reduced temperature coffee

A beverage brewing appliance for producing a brewed beverage having a serving temperature within a predetermined serving temperature range. The beverage brewing appliance includes a brewing apparatus for infusing a beverage brewing substance retained therein to extract a brewed beverage therefrom. The appliance also includes a first water source having a water heater coupled thereto for delivering water to the brewing apparatus within a predetermined range of brewing temperatures to produce a desired brewed beverage. The brewing appliance also includes a second water source which delivers temperature reduction water to the brewed beverage within a temperature range which, when mixed with the brewed beverage results in a final beverage dispensed from the brewing apparatus within a predetermined serving temperature ranges. The second water source is controlled to deliver a desired quantity of temperature reduction water which will result in the beverage being dispensed within the predetermined range of serving temperatures.

Reduced temperature coffee brewer

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus which includes a brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a water distribution system associated with the brew chamber for introducing brew water and flush water. A filter assembly is disposed in the brew chamber and has an opening formed therethrough for communicating with the outlet of the brew chamber. A piston assembly disposed in the brew chamber including a spool and a device for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool includes a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between the head and the base. The spool is disposed in the brew chamber with the head controllably movable in the inlet and the base controllably movable in the outlet for controllably opening and plugging the inlet and outlet. A port associated with a flush water dispenser is formed through an exterior surface of the spool between the head and the necked portion. The invention also provides an apparatus and a method for producing large quantities of a desired brewed beverage. Multiple substance dispensers are provided to selectively combine a variety of substances to produce a desired brewed beverage. Heated water is conserved by the present invention by providing a control valve on the inlet line at the lower portion of the heated water reservoir.

Automatic beverage brewing method

A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a heated water reservoir, a heating element retained in the reservoir, and a thermostatic and a low water sensor configuration positioned in a heat exchange relationship with the heated water reservoir. The thermostatic and low water sensing configurations position the temperature sensors outside of the water reservoir to prevent the heated accumulation of mineral and other deposits thereon. A niche is formed in the wall of the heated water reservoir for receiving the thermostatic sensor configuration. A retaining cover is positioned over the niche to enclose the thermostatic sensor configuration in the niche. A portion of the niche against which the sensors are positioned is thinned in order to more accurately read the corresponding temperatures.

Water heating apparatus having a thermal and liquid level sensor assembly

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus including a brew chamber assembly with a throat in a top portion, a drain in a bottom portion, and a filter positioned therebetween. A movable piston controllably opens and closes the throat and drain during brewing and flushing cycles. A discharge line from the brew chamber has a controllable discharge valve to direct flow from the brew chamber through a dispensing line, a waste line, or to prevent flow though either line. Water may be controllably accumulated in the brew chamber by controlling the discharge valve to prevent flow through either line. At the initiation of the brewing cycle the valve is operated to block the dispensing line and the waste line, whereupon a brewing substance and brewing water are introduced into the brew chamber. The brewing substance floats on and steeps in the brewing water which is accumulated in the brew chamber. A pressurized water line dispenses water into the throat to rinses the throat. After the brewing cycle is complete a flushing cycle begins to thoroughly flush the spent brewing substance from the brew chamber. The discharge valve blocks the discharge line to retain water in the brew chamber to float the spent brewing substance off of the filter. Upon floating the brewing substance the drain is opened to remove the float water and substance.

Automatic brewer

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus which includes a brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a water distribution system associated with the brew chamber for introducing brew water and flush water therein. A filter assembly is disposed in the brew chamber. An opening is formed through the filter assembly for communicating with the outlet of the brew chamber. A flush water dispenser is associated with the water distribution system and is positioned centrally in the brew chamber for rinsing inside surfaces of the brew chamber. A piston assembly disposed in the brew chamber including a spool and a device for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool includes a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between the head and the base. The spool is disposed in the brew chamber with the head controllably movable in the inlet and the base controllably movable in the outlet for controllably opening and plugging the inlet and outlet. A port is formed through an exterior surface of the spool between the head and the necked portion. The port is associated with the flush water dispenser for dispensing flush water therethrough. The invention also provides an apparatus and a method for producing large quantities of a desired brewed beverage. Multiple substance dispensers are provided to selectively combine a variety of substances to produce a desired brewed beverage. Heated water is conserved by the present invention by providing a control valve on the inlet line at the lower portion of the heated water reservoir.

A dispensing assembly in combination with a beverage brewing apparatus for controllably dispensing and directing a cleaning material into a brewing chamber of the beverage brewing apparatus. The brewing chamber has a receiving mouth through which the cleaning material is dispensed. The dispensing assembly includes a hinge part, a funnel body, and components to finding a hinge joint. The funnel body is generally conically shaped, having a pouring port at one end and a dispensing port at the opposite end. The pouring port is enlarged relative to the dispensing port forming the conical shape of the funnel body and facilitating ease and accuracy in dispensing a cleaning material into the brewing chamber. The funnel body is attached to the hinge part and is hingedly associated with the hinge joint for movably positioning the funnel body into and out of communication with the receiving mouth of the brewing chamber. The hinge joint and hinge part are cooperatively attached close to the receiving mouth to prevent the funnel body from being undesirably mispaced in the brewing apparatus and to insure proper alignment of the dispensing port with the receiving mouth when placed in communication therewith.

Detergent dispenser

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus for automatically brewing beverages such as coffee. The apparatus includes a brew chamber assembly with a throat in a top portion, a drain in a bottom portion, and a filter position therebetween. A movable piston is provided to controllably open and close the throat and drain during brewing and flushing cycles. A discharge line from the brew chamber has a controllable discharge valve to direct flow from the brew chamber through a dispensing line, a waste line, or to prevent flow through either line. Water may be controllably accumulated in the brew chamber by controlling the discharge valve to prevent flow through either line. At the initiation of the brewing cycle the valve is operated to block the dispensing line and the waste line, whereupon a brewing substance and brewing water are introduced into the brew chamber. The brewing substance floats on and steeps in the brewing water which is accumulated in the brew chamber. A pressurized water line dispenses water into the a throat through which the brewing substance is introduced to the brew chamber to rinse the throat. A brew water line provides brewing water and flushing water. After the brewing cycle is complete a flushing cycle begins to thoroughly flush the spent brewing substance from the brew chamber. The discharge valve blocks the discharge line to retain water in the brew chamber to float the spent brewing substance off of the filter. Upon floating the brewing substance the drain is opened to remove the float water and its contents. The apparatus also includes a brewing substance dispenser which is controlled to dispense a predetermined quantity of brewing substance.

A beverage brewing apparatus which employs a water control assembly, a moisture recovery assembly, an improved thermostatic and low water sensor configuration and an easily removable sprayhead. The control assembly controllably regulates the flow of water from the fill basin into the reservoir using a valve which is interconnected with a lid covering a fill opening in the hood portion. Water from the basin will not flow into the reservoir, and thus will not produce a brewed beverage, until the lid is closed by the user. The moisture recovery assembly employs a baffle opening and a collection portion on a vent to return condensation which may accumulate on the vent to the fill basin. A sleeve is positioned in the fill water opening in the hood portion to collect condensation and to reduce the surface area of the water which may be affected by air movements through the brewing apparatus. The thermostatic and low water sensing configurations position the temperature sensors outside of the water heating reservoir to prevent the accumulation of mineral and other deposits thereon. A portion of the wall behind which the sensors are positioned is thinned in order to more accurately read the corresponding temperatures.

Home brewer

a spool for use with a piston assembly in an automatic beverage brewing apparatus including a brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a filter disposed therein, and a water distribution system for introducing brew water and flush water therein. A flush water dispenser of the water distribution system is positioned centrally in the brew chamber for rinsing inside surfaces of the brew chamber. The piston assembly includes the spool and a device for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool has a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between the head and the base. The head and base have external dimensions which are less than or substantially equal to an internal dimension of an opening in the filter. The external dimension of the head is less than or substantially equal to the external dimension of the base. The dimensions of the head, base and necked portion allow the filter assembly to be installed and removed over the head and base. The spool is disposed in the brew chamber for controllably opening and plugging the inlet and outlet. A port, associated with the flush water dispenser, is formed through an exterior surface of the spool between the head and the necked portion for dispensing flush water.

A reconfigurable beverage brewing apparatus having an independently configurable funnel support device and control device for orienting the apparatus in more than two operational configurations. The apparatus includes an overhanging hood and a funnel supported under the hood for retaining brewing substance. A discharge tube is retained in the hood proximate to the funnel and extends through the hood portion for delivering heated water to the brewing substance retained therein. The funnel support device includes a base with two channel members attached thereto and anchoring devices. Open ends of each of the channel members are positioned opposite each other and spaced apart a distance for receiving and retaining the funnel. The discharge tube projects through a passage formed through the base. The anchoring devices attach the base to an underside of the hood and prohibit rotation of the base portion. The control devices include a panel portion with multiple openings formed therethrough which is removably attachable to the apparatus; control devices which are engageable in the slots formed through said apparatus; and device positioning members for removably retaining the control devices in a desired position behind the panel.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, IL, United States of America

James H Anson