Beverage machine with flow arrangement
By designing a beverage machine with two brewing chambers, using a single pump and a shared liquid supply, and setting up different heaters downstream of each brewing chamber, the problems of complex flow arrangement and low efficiency of existing beverage machines are solved, and efficient and reliable beverage preparation is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380052442.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-08
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-28
AI Technical Summary
When preparing different types of beverages, existing beverage machines have complex flow arrangements and low efficiency, and require multiple pumps and liquid supply tanks, resulting in high equipment size and maintenance costs.
A beverage machine with two brewing chambers is designed, using a single pump and a common liquid supply, selectively control the liquid flow through a valve and a controller, and a different heater is provided downstream of each brewing chamber to adjust the beverage type.
It is possible to use a single pump and a shared liquid supply unit to prepare different types of beverages, which improves equipment efficiency and reliability, and reduces maintenance requirements and equipment size.
Smart Images
Figure CN119546209A_ABST
Abstract
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 359,287, filed on July 8, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art 1. Technical Field
[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to beverage machines and methods of forming beverages. 2. Background technology
[0003] Beverage machines that use liquids, such as water, to form beverages are well known. For example, beverage machines can introduce liquids into beverage materials to form beverages. The liquid provided to the beverage materials can be heated in a tank before being delivered to the beverage materials. Summary of the invention
[0004] According to one aspect, a beverage machine is provided. The beverage machine may include a liquid supply configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage. The first brewing chamber of the beverage machine may be configured to hold a first beverage material and introduce a liquid from the liquid supply to the first beverage material to form a first beverage of a first type of beverage. The first brewing chamber may be configured to introduce a liquid to the first beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar. The second brewing chamber of the beverage machine may be configured to hold a second beverage material and introduce a liquid from the liquid supply to the second beverage material to form a second beverage of a second type of beverage, which is different from the first type of beverage. The second brewing chamber may not be able to brew a beverage of the first type. The second brewing chamber may be configured to introduce a liquid to the second beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar. The beverage machine may include a pump configured to pump a liquid from the liquid supply to the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber. The beverage machine may include a valve located downstream of the pump. The valve may be configured to selectively control the flow of liquid from the pump toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber. The beverage machine may include a controller connected to the valve. The controller may be configured to actuate the valve to selectively control the flow of liquid from the pump toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber. The first heater of the beverage machine may be configured to heat the liquid directed to the first brewing chamber. The second heater of the beverage machine may be configured to heat the liquid directed to the second brewing chamber. The first heater and the second heater may be different types of heaters and may be located downstream of the valve.
[0005] According to another aspect, a beverage machine is provided. The beverage machine may include a liquid supply configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage. The first brewing chamber of the beverage machine may include a cartridge holder configured to receive a beverage cartridge. The first brewing chamber may be configured to introduce liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage cartridge to form a first beverage. The second brewing chamber of the beverage machine may be configured to hold a beverage material and to introduce liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage material to form a second beverage. The second brewing chamber may be configured to introduce liquid into the second beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar. The beverage machine may include a pump configured to pump liquid from the liquid supply to the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber. The beverage machine may also include a valve located downstream of the pump. The valve may be configured to selectively control liquid from the pump toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber. The beverage machine may further include a controller connected to the valve. The controller may be configured to actuate the valve to selectively control liquid from the pump toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber. The first heater of the beverage machine may be configured to heat the liquid directed to the first brewing chamber. The second heater of the beverage machine may be configured to heat the liquid directed to the second brewing chamber.The first heater and the second heater may be located downstream of the valve.
[0006] According to another aspect, a method for forming a beverage is provided. The method may include providing a liquid supply, a pump and a valve. The method may include providing a first brewing chamber, which may be configured to receive a beverage cartridge and configured to introduce liquid from a liquid supply into a beverage cartridge to form a first beverage. The method may include providing a second brewing chamber, which may be configured to hold a beverage material and may be configured to introduce liquid from a liquid supply into a beverage material to form a second beverage. The method may include utilizing a pump to pump liquid from a liquid supply through a valve. The method may include directing liquid through a valve toward a first brewing chamber or a second brewing chamber, and heating the liquid after the liquid has passed through the valve. Heating the liquid may include using a first heater to heat the liquid directed toward the first brewing chamber, or using a second heater to heat the liquid directed toward the second brewing chamber.
[0007] It should be understood that the above concepts and the additional concepts discussed below can be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. In addition, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or similar component shown in the various figures may be represented by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. In the drawings:
[0009] Figure 1is a front perspective view of a beverage machine according to some embodiments;
[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a flow arrangement of a beverage machine according to some embodiments; and
[0011] Figure 3 A flow arrangement of a beverage machine according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The inventors have recognized that it would be beneficial to provide a single beverage machine that can brew different types of beverages. In some embodiments described herein, a single beverage machine has two brewing chambers that brew different types of beverages. The inventors have recognized that such a beverage machine can allow a user to brew a wider variety of beverages with a single machine.
[0013] The inventors also recognize that existing beverage machines with two or more beverage dispensing stations may have complex and / or inefficient flow arrangements. For example, some existing machines use different parallel flow paths for one of each beverage dispensing station. Such machines may each have multiple components, such as two or more liquid supply tanks and / or two or more pumps, etc. Some machines may have some shared components, but may still have multiple pumps.
[0014] According to one aspect, in some embodiments, a beverage machine with multiple brewing chambers can use only a single pump to direct flow to each brewing chamber. In some embodiments, the beverage machine can also pump liquid from a single common liquid supply. The configuration disclosed herein can provide increased efficiency and / or a smaller form factor.
[0015] In some embodiments, the beverage machine may use a single pump as the only fluid driving source that moves liquid from the liquid supply to the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber. Compared to, for example, an espresso brewer that relies on steam pressure to drive liquid to the brewing chamber, the beverage machine may only require a single pump to drive liquid to the brewing chamber without steam pressure.
[0016] In some embodiments, the pressure of the liquid supplied to the brewing chamber can be kept relatively low, such as less than 1 bar. Thus, in some embodiments, the brewing chamber can be used to produce non-espresso beverages. For example, in some embodiments, the first brewing chamber can be a single-cup cartridge brewing chamber, and the second brewing chamber can be a carafe drip coffee brewer.
[0017] However, in other embodiments, at least one of the brewing chambers may be configured to brew espresso and other beverages formed from espresso (eg, Americano, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, cortado, etc.).
[0018] In some embodiments, the beverage machine may include a valve that selectively controls the flow of liquid from the liquid supply toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber. The inventors have recognized that in some embodiments, it may be beneficial to position the valve upstream of any heater so that only unheated water passes through the valve. The inventors have found that in some arrangements, passing heated water through the valve may result in the accumulation of scale in the valve. The inventors have recognized that such scale accumulation may interfere with the operation of the valve and may require more frequent cleaning and / or maintenance of the beverage machine.
[0019] According to one aspect, in some embodiments, the beverage machine may include a valve to direct flow toward the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber, wherein the valve is positioned upstream of any heater. In some embodiments, each brewing chamber may have its own associated heater downstream of the valve. For example, each heater may be disposed between the valve and the chamber associated with the heater. The configuration disclosed herein may provide increased reliability and reduced maintenance requirements compared to a machine including one or more heaters located upstream of the valve.
[0020] In some embodiments, the beverage machine can be configured to allow only one of the brewing chambers to brew a beverage at a time. In other words, the brewing chambers cannot brew beverages at the same time. In some embodiments, the valve can be configured to control the flow of liquid from the liquid supply to only one of the first and second brewing chambers at a time.
[0021] Described herein are embodiments of a beverage machine that may include multiple brewing chambers, such as a first brewing chamber and a second brewing chamber. In some embodiments, the first and second brewing chambers may brew different types of beverages. The different types of beverages include beverages of different volumes (e.g., single cups versus bottles), beverages of different temperatures (e.g., hot coffee versus cold brew), beverages of different pressures (e.g., gravity-fed, such as drip brewing, versus pressurized, such as espresso), beverages of different brewing types (e.g., decoction, infusion, gravity-fed, or pressurized percolation), or any other suitable type.
[0022] In some embodiments, the second brewing chamber may not be able to brew one or more beverages brewed by the first brewing chamber. For example, in some embodiments, the first brewing chamber may be a single-cup cartridge brewer, and the second brewing chamber may be a glass bottle drip coffee brewer. The glass bottle drip coffee brewer may not be able to form a single-cup cartridge type beverage. In some embodiments, the single-cup cartridge brewer may have one or more needles to pierce the barrel so as to introduce liquid into the barrel to form a beverage from the barrel. The glass bottle drip coffee brewer may not have such a needle and therefore cannot introduce liquid into the barrel to form a beverage from the barrel.
[0023] According to one aspect, the inventors have recognized that for a given heater for each brewing chamber, the heaters need not be identical. Rather, the heaters may be of different types in order to more finely tune the type of beverage(s) formed by its associated brewing chamber. The inventors have recognized that having different types of heaters may help to create a more efficient beverage machine.
[0024] In some embodiments, the first and second brewing chambers may have different volume capacities. In other words, the maximum beverage volume that can be brewed by the first brewing chamber may be different from the maximum beverage volume that can be brewed by the second brewing chamber.
[0025] In some embodiments, the first heater may heat liquid provided to the first brew chamber, and the second heater may heat liquid provided to the second brew chamber. In some embodiments, the first brew chamber may brew a maximum beverage volume that is smaller than the maximum beverage volume of the second brew chamber. The first and second heaters may, in turn, have different ratings to match the output volumes of their associated brew chambers. Thus, in some embodiments, the second heater may have a heater rating compared to the first heater that enables the second heater to heat a volume of water to an elevated temperature in a shorter time than the time required for the first heater to heat the same volume of water to the same elevated temperature.
[0026] In some embodiments, the first and second heaters may have different power consumption requirements. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters may have different maximum flow rates.
[0027] In some embodiments, at least one of the heaters can provide a second function, rather than heating the liquid on its way to the brewing chamber. For example, in some embodiments, the heater can heat both the liquid and the warming plate.
[0028] Described herein is an embodiment of a beverage machine with multiple brewing chambers. In some embodiments, a shared liquid supply, a single pump, a valve, a first brewing chamber, and a second brewing chamber may be provided. In a particular embodiment, the first brewing chamber may be configured to receive a beverage cartridge, and the first brewing chamber may be configured to introduce liquid from a liquid supply into a beverage cartridge to form a first beverage. In some such embodiments, a beverage cartridge may be received in the first brewing chamber, and a beverage may be formed by a beverage cartridge. In certain embodiments, the second brewing chamber may be configured to hold a beverage material, and may be configured to introduce liquid from a liquid supply into a beverage material to form a second beverage. In some such embodiments, beverage may be dispensed into a glass bottle from the second brewing chamber. In some embodiments, the second brewing chamber may be a glass bottle drip filter coffee brewer.
[0029] Liquid may be pumped from the liquid supply through the valve. In some embodiments, a pump may be used as the only fluid driving source towards the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber.
[0030] Liquid can be directed toward the first brewing chamber or the second brewing chamber through the valve. In some embodiments, liquid can be directed through the valve based on the user's selection. In some such embodiments, the user selection can be made by the user interacting with the user interface of the beverage machine.
[0031] The liquid directed toward the first brewing chamber may be heated using a first heater. The liquid directed toward the second brewing chamber may be heated using a second heater. Both the first and second heaters may be located downstream of the valve. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters are different types of heaters. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters have different ratings to match the output volumes of their associated brewing chambers. In some embodiments, the second heater may have a heater rating compared to the first heater that enables the second heater to heat a volume of water to an elevated temperature in a shorter time than the time required for the first heater to heat the same volume of water to the same elevated temperature.
[0032] Turning to the drawings, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described with respect to these embodiments may be used alone and / or in any desired combination, as the present disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.
[0033] Figure 1An embodiment of a beverage machine according to the present invention is shown. The beverage machine 100 may include a housing 124 to enclose one or more components of the beverage machine 100. The beverage machine 100 may include a first brewing chamber 102, a second brewing chamber 104, and a liquid supply 202 (e.g., a pitcher). In some embodiments, each of the first and second brewing chambers may be configured to hold a beverage material, and may be configured to introduce a liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage material to form a beverage.
[0034] In some embodiments, the liquid supply can be a removable water tank. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the beverage machine can be plumbed to have a direct connection to the water line. As such, in some embodiments, the liquid supply can be a water line instead of a tank. Each of the first brewing chamber 102 and the second brewing chamber 104 can be configured to form a beverage using the liquid provided by the liquid supply 202.
[0035] exist Figure 2 200 of the beverage machine is shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. In some embodiments, the liquid supply 202 can be used as a common supply for both the first brewing chamber 102 and the second brewing chamber 104. In some embodiments, a single pump 210 can drive liquid from the liquid supply 202 through a valve 214. The valve 214 can separate the flow path so that each brewing chamber 102, 104 can be associated with a separate flow path. Each flow path can include a designated heater. The first heater 216 can heat the liquid that has been directed to the first brewing chamber 102, and the second heater 222 can heat the liquid that has been directed to the second brewing chamber 104. Both heaters 216, 222 can be located downstream of the valve 214. In some embodiments, the pump 210 can be used as the only fluid driving source, which moves liquid from the liquid supply 202 to the first brewing chamber 102 and the second brewing chamber 104.
[0036] In some embodiments, valve 214 may be configured to selectively control the flow of liquid from pump 210 to first brew chamber 102 and to second brew chamber 104. In some embodiments, valve 214 may be configured to control the flow of liquid from the liquid supply to only one of the first and second brew chambers at a time.
[0037] In some embodiments, the valve 214 may have at least three operating configurations: (1) allowing flow only toward the first brewing chamber, (2) allowing flow only toward the second brewing chamber, and (3) allowing flow toward the first and second brewing chambers. The valve 214 may also have a fourth operating configuration in which flow is not allowed through the valve. In some embodiments, the valve 214 may only allow flow toward one of the brewing chambers at a time, rather than allowing flow toward both brewing chambers at the same time. In some such embodiments, the valve 214 may also have a third operating configuration in which flow is not allowed through the valve.
[0038] In some embodiments, the valve 214 may be a three-way valve. In some such embodiments, the three-way valve may have an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. In such embodiments, the first outlet may be fluidically coupled to the first brewing chamber 102, and the second outlet may be fluidically coupled to the second brewing chamber 104. In some such embodiments, the three-way valve may be configured to selectively direct fluid from the inlet to the first outlet or the second outlet, but not simultaneously. Such a configuration may allow the valve 214 to selectively direct flow toward one of the first brewing chamber 102 and the second brewing chamber 104, but not simultaneously. However, in other embodiments, the three-way valve may allow flow to the first outlet and the second outlet at the same time, and therefore may allow flow toward the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber at the same time.
[0039] The valve 214 may be any suitable type of valve, including a ball valve, a solenoid valve, or any other suitable valve.
[0040] In some embodiments, the valve 214 may be electrically and / or mechanically connected to a controller 226 of the beverage machine. The controller 226 may be in electrical and / or mechanical communication with a user interface, or the controller 226 may be integrated into the user interface. The controller 226 may be configured to actuate the valve 214 to selectively direct liquid from the pump 210 to one of the first brewing chamber 102 and the second brewing chamber 104. In some embodiments, the controller 226 may be configured to actuate the valve 214 based on information provided by a user. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 226 may be configured to actuate the valve 214 in response to a user selection, which is made by the user interacting with the user interface. In other embodiments, the controller 226 may be configured to actuate the valve 214 based on information received from an electromechanical component of the beverage machine (e.g., based on the operation or movement of the chamber cover as described above).
[0041] The first heater and the second heater 216, 222 can be any suitable type of heater, boiler or heat exchanger. For example, in some embodiments, the first heater and / or the second heater can be a flow-through heater, including a flat flow-through heater, a spiral flow-through heater, a U-shaped flow-through heater or any other type of heater. In some embodiments, the first heater and / or the second heater can be a heating element for heating a hot water tank. The first heater and / or the second heater can be thermally connected to the hot water tank, such as directly contacting the water inside the hot water tank with the water inside the tank, or in a non-water contact arrangement, wherein the heater is arranged on the outside of the tank or embedded in the tank wall. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters are heaters of the same type. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters are heaters of different types.
[0042] In an illustrative embodiment, the first brew chamber 102 may form a maximum beverage volume that is smaller than the maximum beverage volume of the second brew chamber 104. In this way, the heater requirements required to support the first brew chamber may be different from the requirements of the second brew chamber. In some embodiments, the first heater has a different rating than the second heater. In some embodiments, the second heater may have a heater rating compared to the first heater that enables the second heater to heat a certain volume of water to an elevated temperature in a shorter time than the time required for the first heater to heat the same volume of water to the same elevated temperature. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters have different power consumption requirements. In some embodiments, the first and second heaters may have different maximum flow rates.
[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, both the first and second heaters 216, 222 are flow-through heaters, but of different types. Figure 3 In one exemplary embodiment shown, the first heater 216' is a spiral flow-through heater and the second heater 222' is a U-shaped flow-through heater.
[0044] In some embodiments, the beverage machine may include a supply liquid temperature sensor 204 to detect the temperature of the liquid from the liquid supply 202. The supply liquid temperature sensor 204 can be any temperature sensor or detector capable of detecting or responding to the temperature of the liquid. For example, the supply temperature sensor can be a thermocouple, a thermistor, a thermometer, or other temperature sensitive device.
[0045] In some embodiments, in some embodiments, the temperature sensor may be disposed between the heater and the brewing chamber. Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the first temperature sensor 218 may be disposed between the first heater 216 and the first brewing chamber 102. The first temperature sensor 218 may be any temperature sensor or detector capable of detecting or responding to the temperature of the liquid. For example, the first temperature sensor 218 may be a thermocouple, a thermistor, a thermometer, or other temperature sensitive device such as a thermal cut-off switch (TCO).
[0046] The first temperature sensor 218 can be configured to detect or respond to the temperature of the liquid leaving the first heater 216. In some embodiments, the first temperature sensor 218 can be a TCO that is configured to disconnect the power circuit of the first heater 216 if a certain temperature is reached, thereby turning off the first heater 216. In other embodiments, the first temperature sensor 218 can be in electrical communication with the controller 226. The controller 226 can be configured to adjust the temperature of the liquid leaving the first heater 216, such as by adjusting the power level provided to the first heater 216. The controller 226 can be configured to modulate the temperature based on information received from the first temperature sensor 218. Although the illustrated embodiment shows only a first temperature sensor, it should be understood that a second temperature sensor can be similarly included between the second heater 222 and the second brewing chamber 104. Embodiments with additional chambers and heaters can include additional temperature sensors.
[0047] In some embodiments, an air valve 208 can be disposed between the liquid supply 202 and the pump 210. The air valve 208 can allow air trapped within the liquid to escape the flow path before entering the pump 210. This can facilitate more efficient operation of the pump 210 and any downstream components, or reduce the likelihood of damage to the pump 210 or any downstream components.
[0048] In some embodiments, the pressure relief valve 212 may be disposed between the pump 210 and the valve 214. In the event that excessive pressure builds up between the pump 210 and the valve 214, the pressure relief valve 212 may allow liquid from the pump 210 to bypass the valve 214. Liquid from the pressure relief valve 212 may be allowed to exit the flow arrangement 200 through the first brew chamber 102, the second brew chamber 104, or any other suitable outlet of the machine. In this manner, the pressure relief valve 212 may prevent the buildup of excessive pressure between the pump 210 and the valve 214. This configuration may prevent damage to the pump 210, the valve 214, and / or other system components, particularly in the event that the valve 214 or another downstream component becomes blocked or clogged.
[0049] In some embodiments, a liquid level detector 206 may be provided in the flow arrangement 200 near the liquid supply 202. In some embodiments, the liquid level detector may be a conductivity probe positioned near the outlet of the liquid supply 202. The liquid level detector may sense when the liquid in the liquid supply 202 is below a threshold fill level, such as when the liquid supply is empty or nearly empty. The liquid level detector 206 may be in electrical communication with the controller 226 and / or a user interface.
[0050] We will now describe Figure 1 The structure shown in the exemplary embodiment.
[0051] The liquid supply 202 can be configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage. In some embodiments, the liquid supply 202 can be coupled to the housing 124. In some embodiments, the liquid supply 202 can be removably coupled to the housing 124. In other embodiments, the liquid supply can include an external water source, such as a water line, a refrigerator, or a faucet.
[0052] In some embodiments, a level detector may be provided to monitor the fill level of the liquid supply 202. The level detector may be any suitable device for monitoring liquid level including a contact probe, an optical probe, a conductive probe, or any other suitable detector.
[0053] In some embodiments, the liquid supply 202 may include a temperature control to maintain the temperature of the liquid contained therein. For example, the liquid supply may be cooled to maintain a cool temperature of the liquid.
[0054] The first brewing chamber 102 and the second brewing chamber 104 can be configured to form any suitable type of beverage, the beverage having any suitable volume, and at any suitable temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, the first brewing chamber 102 can be configured to form a beverage volume smaller than the second brewing chamber 104.
[0055] For example, Figure 3 As shown in the schematic embodiment of the first brewing chamber 102', the first brewing chamber 102' may be configured to brew a single cup beverage volume, although this is not required. In some embodiments, the first brewing chamber 102' may include a cartridge holder 221, which is configured to receive a beverage cartridge 230, which contains beverage material. The cartridge holder 221 may be configured to introduce liquid from a liquid supply into a beverage cartridge to form a first beverage. In some embodiments, the first brewing chamber 102' may include one or more inlet needles 223 for introducing liquid into the beverage cartridge 230. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the first brewing chamber 102' may include one or more outlet needles 225, which are used to guide the brewed beverage out of the beverage cartridge 230.
[0056] In some embodiments, the first brewing chamber 102 may have a first brewing chamber cover 108 (see Figure 1 ), the first brewing chamber cover 108 can be movable relative to the housing 124. Moving the first brewing chamber cover 108 can expose the first brewing chamber 102 and allow the user to place the cartridge into the first brewing chamber 102.
[0057] In some embodiments, the first brewing chamber 102 is configured to introduce liquid into the beverage cartridge at a pressure of less than 1 bar. However, in other embodiments, the first brewing chamber may be configured to introduce liquid into the beverage cartridge at a pressure of greater than 1 bar.
[0058] In some embodiments, the first brew chamber cover 108 may include electromechanical components and functionality such that movement or operation of the first brew chamber cover 108 may be detected by a controller of the beverage maker 100 .
[0059] The second brewing chamber 104 can be configured to form a larger beverage volume than the first brewing chamber 102, although this is not required. For example, the second brewing chamber can be configured to brew multiple beverages and can dispense the beverages into the glass bottle 114. The second brewing chamber 104 can be configured to receive and hold beverage materials. In some embodiments, the beverage material can be held in a filter (e.g., a reusable mesh filter or paper filter). The second brewing chamber 104 can be configured to introduce liquid from a liquid supply into the beverage material in the second brewing chamber 104 to form a second beverage.
[0060] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the second brewing chamber 104 ′ may include a shower head 227 configured to dispense liquid onto beverage material, such as onto a bed of coffee grounds.
[0061] The second brewing chamber 104 may have a second brewing chamber cover 112 (see Figure 1 ), the second brewing chamber cover 112 may be movable relative to the housing 124. Moving the second brewing chamber cover 112 may expose the second brewing chamber 104 and allow a user to place beverage material into the second brewing chamber 104. In some embodiments, the second brewing chamber 104 may include a drip coffee type brewer. In such an embodiment, moving the second brewing chamber cover 112 may expose the second brewing chamber 104 and allow a user to place coffee powder into the second brewing chamber 104.
[0062] In some embodiments, the second brewing chamber 104 is configured to introduce liquid into the beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar. However, in other embodiments, the second brewing chamber may be configured to introduce liquid into the beverage material at a pressure of greater than 1 bar.
[0063] The second brew chamber cover 112 may include electromechanical components and functionality such that movement or operation of the second brew chamber cover 112 may be detected by a controller of the beverage maker 100 .
[0064] In some embodiments, the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber can be configured to form the same volume of beverage. In some embodiments, each of the first and second brewing chambers can be configured to form a range of beverage volumes, wherein the ranges can overlap each other. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the beverage volume formed in each chamber.
[0065] Although some embodiments described herein include multiple chambers configured for brewing beverages (e.g., coffee), the chambers may also be configured for forming beverages other than coffee, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. Beverage machines according to the present disclosure may include chambers configured to form any suitable beverage, such as tea, coffee, other infusion-type beverages. Alternatively or additionally, the beverage machine may include a chamber configured to form a beverage from a liquid or powdered concentrate, soup, juice, carbonated beverage, or other beverage made from a dry material.
[0066] The beverage machine 100 may include a base 116. The base 116 may be at least partially positioned below at least one brewing chamber. The base 116 may be configured to receive one or more containers for receiving and containing beverages prepared by the beverage machine. For example, the base 116 may be configured to receive a carafe 114 for receiving and containing a coffee beverage prepared by the beverage machine 100. Alternatively or additionally, the base 116 may be configured to receive a cup 110 for receiving and containing a beverage prepared by the beverage machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 116 includes a cup holder 120 and a carafe holder 118. The cup holder 120 may be at least partially positioned below the first brewing chamber 102. The cup holder 120 may receive a cup 110 for receiving and containing a beverage dispensed from the first brewing chamber 102. The carafe holder 118 may be at least partially positioned below the second brewing chamber 104. The carafe holder 118 may receive the carafe 114 for receiving and containing a beverage dispensed from the second brewing chamber 104 .
[0067] In some embodiments, the base 116 can be configured to provide a warming effect to one or more containers. For example, the base can include a heater. In some embodiments, the base 116 can include a heater as part of the bottle holder 118, the cup holder 120, or both the bottle holder 118 and the cup holder 120. In some embodiments, the heater(s) used to heat the base can be the same heater(s) used to heat water from the liquid supply. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the second heater 222 used to heat the liquid introduced into the second brewing chamber 104 is also used to heat the warming plate 119 of the carafe holder 118 .
[0068] The beverage machine 100 may also include a user interface 106. The user interface may be positioned and oriented so as to be viewed and operated by a user located in front of the beverage machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 106 may be located on the first brewing chamber cover 108. However, in other embodiments, the user interface 106 may be located at any suitable location on the beverage machine 100. For example, in some embodiments, the user interface 106 may be located on the front panel 106A of the second brewing chamber 104. In other embodiments, the user interface may be located on the front panel 106B of the first brewing chamber 102, on the second brewing chamber cover 112, or at any other location on the beverage machine 100, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
[0069] The user interface 106 may include one or more of the following: a display screen, one or more buttons, and one or more indicator lights. The user may provide instructions or inputs to the beverage machine through the user interface, for example, by pressing a button or touching a touch screen. The beverage machine may perform different functions in response to instructions from the user. For example, in response to a user inputting a first type of command via the user interface, a beverage may be formed in the first brewing chamber 102. In response to a user inputting a second type of command via the user interface, a beverage may be formed in the second brewing chamber 104. The formation of the beverage in the first brewing chamber 102 or the second brewing chamber 104 may be achieved by actuation of a valve of the beverage machine 100, as discussed above.
[0070] Information may be communicated to the user via a display or indicator light of the user interface. For example, when information from a level detector of the beverage machine 100 indicates that the liquid volume in the liquid supply has reached a threshold level (ie, maximum or minimum), the user interface 106 may warn the user.
[0071] It should be understood that the user interface may include any number or combination of the above components, or any other suitable components. In some embodiments, the user interface may include only a single touch screen that both accepts the user's instructions and conveys information to the user. In other embodiments, the user interface may include multiple buttons and multiple indicator lights. The user interface may include a knob, a roller, a mechanical switch, a microphone, a touch sensor, a light sensor, or any other suitable component configured to accept user input. In addition, the user interface may include a display, a light, a speaker, a tactile device, or any other suitable component configured to provide information to the user.
[0072] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present invention includes various substitutions, modifications and equivalents as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description and drawings are only intended to be examples.
Claims
1. A beverage machine, comprising: a liquid supply configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage; a first brewing chamber configured to hold a first beverage material and to introduce liquid from the liquid supply to the first beverage material to form a first beverage of a first type of beverage, wherein the first brewing chamber is configured to introduce the liquid to the first beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar; a second brewing chamber configured to hold a second beverage material and to introduce liquid from the liquid supply to the second beverage material to form a second beverage of a second type of beverage, the second type of beverage being different from the first type of beverage, wherein the second brewing chamber is incapable of brewing the first type of beverage, and wherein the second brewing chamber is configured to introduce the liquid to the second beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar; a pump configured to pump the liquid from the liquid supply to the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber; a valve located downstream of the pump, the valve being configured to selectively control the flow of liquid from the pump toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber; a controller in communication with the valve and configured to actuate the valve to selectively control the flow of liquid from the pump toward the first brew chamber and toward the second brew chamber; a first heater configured to heat liquid introduced into the first brewing chamber; a second heater configured to heat liquid introduced into the second brewing chamber, the first heater and the second heater being different types of heaters, Wherein, the first heater and the second heater are located downstream of the valve.
2. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heater and the second heater include flow-through heaters having different heater ratings.
3. The beverage machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second heater has a heater rating, compared to the first heater, that enables the second heater to heat a volume of water to an elevated temperature in a shorter time than the first heater requires to heat a volume of water to the same elevated temperature.
4. The beverage machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The maximum flow rate of the second heater is different from the maximum flow rate of the first heater.
5. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heater comprises a spiral flow-through heater.
6. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second heater comprises a U-shaped flow-through heater.
7. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a user interface, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the valve in response to a user selection made by a user interacting with the user interface.
8. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve comprises a three-way valve.
9. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a housing, wherein the liquid supply includes a water reservoir removably coupleable to the housing.
10. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first beverage material is retained within a beverage cartridge, and the first brewing chamber is configured to introduce the liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage cartridge.
11. The beverage machine according to claim 10, characterized in that The first brewing chamber includes a needle configured to pierce the beverage cartridge.
12. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a carafe holder positioned below the second brew chamber.
13. The beverage machine according to claim 12, characterized in that The glass bottle holder includes a warming plate, wherein the second heater heats the warming plate.
14. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a warming plate, wherein the second heater heats the warming plate.
15. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The maximum beverage volume that can be formed by the second brewing chamber is greater than the maximum beverage volume that can be formed by the first brewing chamber.
16. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The pump serves as the only fluid driving source that moves the liquid to the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber.
17. The beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber are not capable of forming a beverage simultaneously.
18. A beverage machine, comprising: a liquid supply configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage; a first brewing chamber including a cartridge holder configured to receive a beverage cartridge, the first brewing chamber configured to introduce liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage cartridge to form a first beverage; a second brewing chamber configured to hold a beverage material and to introduce liquid from the liquid supply to the beverage material to form a second beverage, wherein the second brewing chamber is configured to introduce liquid to the beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar; a pump configured to pump the liquid from the liquid supply to the first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber; a valve downstream of the pump and configured to selectively control the flow of liquid from the pump toward the first brewing chamber and toward the second brewing chamber; a controller in communication with the valve and configured to actuate the valve to selectively control the flow of liquid from the pump toward the first brew chamber and toward the second brew chamber; a first heater configured to heat liquid directed to the first brewing chamber; and a second heater configured to heat liquid directed to the second brewing chamber, Wherein, the first heater and the second heater are located downstream of the valve.
19. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The first heater and the second heater include flow-through heaters.
20. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The beverage machine also includes a user interface, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the valve in response to a user selection made by a user interacting with the user interface.
21. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The valve comprises a three-way valve.
22. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The beverage machine further includes a housing, wherein the liquid supply includes a water reservoir removably connected to the housing.
23. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The first brewing chamber includes a needle configured to pierce the beverage cartridge.
24. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The beverage maker also includes a carafe holder positioned below the second brew chamber.
25. The beverage machine according to claim 24, characterized in that The glass bottle holder includes a warming plate, wherein the second heater heats the warming plate.
26. The beverage machine of claim 18, wherein: Also included is a warming plate, wherein the second heater heats the warming plate.
27. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The maximum beverage volume that can be formed by the second brewing chamber is higher than the maximum beverage volume that can be formed by the first brewing chamber.
28. The beverage machine of claim 18, wherein: The pump serves as the sole fluid driving source that moves the liquid to the first and second brewing chambers.
29. The beverage machine according to claim 18, characterized in that The first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber are not capable of forming a beverage simultaneously.
30. The beverage machine of claim 18, wherein: The first brewing chamber is configured to introduce liquid into the beverage cartridge at a pressure of less than 1 bar.
31. A method of forming a beverage, the method comprising: Provide liquid supplies, pumps and valves; providing a first brewing chamber configured to receive a beverage cartridge and configured to introduce liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage cartridge to form a first beverage; providing a second brewing chamber configured to hold a beverage material and configured to introduce liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage material to form a second beverage; pumping liquid from the liquid supply through the valve using the pump; directing the liquid through the valve toward the first brewing chamber or the second brewing chamber; as well as The liquid is heated after the liquid has passed through the valve, wherein heating the liquid comprises using a first heater to heat the liquid directed toward the first brewing chamber, or using a second heater to heat the liquid directed toward the second brewing chamber.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein: Based on user selection, liquid is directed through the valve towards the first brewing chamber or the second brewing chamber.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein: The user selection is made by the user interacting with the user interface.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein: Also included is receiving a beverage cartridge in the first brew chamber and forming a beverage from the beverage cartridge.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein: Also included is dispensing the beverage from the second brewing chamber into a carafe.
36. The method of claim 31, wherein: The pump serves as the sole fluid driving source that moves the liquid to the first and second brewing chambers.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein: The first brewing chamber and the second brewing chamber are not capable of forming a beverage simultaneously.
38. The method of claim 31, wherein: The first brewing chamber is configured to introduce the liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage cartridge at a pressure of less than 1 bar, and wherein the second brewing chamber is configured to introduce the liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage material at a pressure of less than 1 bar.
39. The method of claim 31, wherein: The first heater and the second heater are different types of heaters.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein: The second heater has a heater rating, compared to the first heater, that enables the second heater to heat a volume of water to the elevated temperature in a shorter time than the first heater requires to heat the volume of water to the same elevated temperature.