Apparatus, system and method for infusing a pre-packaged pod
AssigneeBunn-O-Matic Corporation
InventorChristopher W. Rahn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a beverage brewer which produces beverage by delivering brewing water to a quantity of brewing substance. The brewer includes a water source for providing water to the brewer. The water source may be in the form of a reservoir or pressurized waterline. A water supply line is provided in the brewer communicating with the water source and a pump. A control is provided for controlling operation of the brewer. The pump transfers water from the water supply line to a heater assembly for heating prior to use in brewing a beverage. A water delivery line communicates with the heater assembly for delivering heated water to a brewing assembly. Brewing substances retained in the brewing assembly and brewing water is received therein for producing a brewed beverage.
Claims21
A beverage brewer for brewing a beverage from a quantity of beverage brewing substance. the brewer comprising:
- a reservoir for providing water to the brewer;
- a water supply line communicating with the reservoir;
- a controller for controlling operation of the brewer;
- a pump coupled to the controller and communicating with the water supply line to move water from the supply line, the pump providing pressurization of the water for providing pressurized water for use in the beverage making process;
- a heater assembly coupled to the controller and communicating with the pump for receiving water from the pump;
- a water delivery line communicating with the heater assembly;
- and
- a releasably sealed brewing assembly for retaining a quantity of brewing substance, the releasably sealed brewing assembly communicating with the water delivery line for receiving pressurized water therefrom;
- the reservoir is removable from the brewer and repositionable on the brewer;
- and
- a sensor on the brewer and coupled to the controller for detecting at least one of the presence and absence of the reservoir on the brewer.
A method of brewing a beverage comprising:
- providing a brewing assembly for retaining a quantity of brewing substance;
- providing a controller for controlling operation of the brewer;
- providing a water delivery system including a reservoir coupled to the controller and communicating with the brewing assembly for controllably providing water for brewing to the brewing assembly;
- providing a heater assembly coupled to the controller controllable heating water in the water delivery system;
- providing a pump coupled to water heater assembly for pressurizing heated water and moving heated water to the brewing assembly for brewing a beverage;
- providing a releasably sealable removable substance holder on the brewing assembly for retaining a quantity of brewing substance;
- providing a sensor coupled to the controller and operatively associated with the substance holder;
- detecting at least one of the presence and absence of the holder on the brewing assembly;
- initiating a brewing cycle;
- dispensing pressurized brewing water from the water delivery system to the brewing assembly when the sensor detects the presence of the holder;
- preventing dispensing of water from the water delivery system to the brewing assembly when the sensor detects the absence of the holder;
- providing a sensor on the brewer coupled to the controller for detecting at least one of the presence and absence of the reservoir on the brewer;
- operating the controller for dispensing water from the water delivery system to the brewing assembly when the sensor detects the presence of the reservoir on the brewer;
- and
- operating the controller to prevent dispensing of water from the water delivery system to the brewing assembly when the controller detects the absence of the reservoir on the brewer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.