The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 19, 1994
Filed:
Jan. 07, 1993
Arthur H Bunn, Springfield, IL (US);
James H Anson, Auburn, IL (US);
David F Ford, Springfield, IL (US);
Bunn-O-Matic Corporation, Springfield, IL (US);
Abstract
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.