Brewing basket for automated beverage brewing apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a brewing basket for an automated beverage brewing apparatus. A beverage system is provided, the beverage system comprising: a housing; and a brewing basket mounted on the housing for receiving a fluid. The brewing basket is pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The brewing basket includes a brewing chamber for receiving a flavoring agent and at least one outlet through which fluid exits the brewing basket.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 201780006585.X, filed on January 13, 2017, entitled "Brew Basket for Automated Beverage Brewing Apparatus". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and method for brewing a beverage, and more particularly to a system and method for automatically brewing a beverage having a desired flavor profile. BACKGROUND

[0003] Various systems and methods for brewing beverages, such as coffee, are known. Known systems include drip brewing systems in which hot water is poured over coffee grounds and into a glass carafe and a French press system in which coffee grounds and hot water are mixed in a container and a water permeable plunger is pressed into the container from above to capture the ground coffee at the bottom of the container. SUMMARY

[0004] According to one embodiment, a beverage system is provided that includes a housing and a brew basket mounted on the housing for receiving a fluid. The brew basket is pivotably mounted to the housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The brew basket includes a brew chamber for receiving a flavoring agent and at least one outlet through which the fluid exits the brew basket.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the brew basket includes at least a first open end and a second closed end, the at least one outlet being formed in the second closed end.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a plunger operably coupled to a biasing mechanism is disposed within the at least one outlet, the plunger being movable between a sealed position and an open position.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments a cap is included that is mounted to the second end via the at least one biasing mechanism, the cap being operably coupled to the plunger to move the plunger between the sealed position and the open position.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the cap is configured to be associated with an adjacent cam surface to apply a force to the at least one biasing mechanism during movement of the brew basket between the extended position and the retracted position.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the association of the cap with the cam surface causes the brew basket to move vertically as the body is rotated from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the first end of the brew basket is arranged in sealing contact with an adjacent component of the beverage brewing system when the brew basket is in the retracted position.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a drip stop assembly is included in association with the brew basket, the drip stop assembly being rotatable to selectively restrict flow through the at least one outlet.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one outlet includes a siphon having a conduit fluidly coupled to the brew chamber and extending from the side wall of the brew basket.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the brew basket clamps the conduit to restrict flow through the conduit as the brew basket moves from a retracted position to an extended position.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the brew basket includes a support connected to the housing, and the brew basket is insertable into the support.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a collar is arranged within a hollow interior of the support, the collar being rotatable relative to the support.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the collar is coupled to the housing via a coupling.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the collar maintains a relative position during the movement of the brew basket between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the brew basket includes at least one protrusion associated with the collar such that the brew basket rotates with the collar relative to the support.

[0019] According to another embodiment, a beverage system includes a housing and a brew basket connected to the housing. The brew basket is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the brew basket is in the retracted position, the brew basket is arranged in sealing contact with an adjacent component of the beverage system.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the adjacent component of the beverage system includes a showerhead.

[0021] According to another embodiment, a beverage system includes a housing containing a brew basket. The brew basket is connected to the housing and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The brew basket includes at least one outlet. The at least one outlet is sealed when the brew basket is moved from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments an indicator is included that indicates when the brew basket is in the retracted position.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments an indicator is included that indicates when the at least one outlet of the brew basket is sealed.

[0024] According to another embodiment, a beverage system includes a housing and a brew basket. The brew basket is connected to the housing and is pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position. The brew basket includes at least one outlet. An orientation of the brew basket remains substantially constant during movement between the retracted position and the extended position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a beverage brewing apparatus according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 2 is a front view of a retracted brew basket assembly according to one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 3 is a side view of a main body and a collar of a brew basket assembly when the brew basket is in an extended position according to one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 4FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a brewing basket according to one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a side view of a second end of the brewing basket according to one embodiment;

[0031] Figure 6 FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an inner surface of the body according to one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a front view of a partially extended brewing basket assembly according to one embodiment;

[0033] Figure 8 FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a partially extended brewing basket assembly according to one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 9 FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an extended brewing basket assembly according to one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 10 FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an extended brewing basket assembly according to one embodiment;

[0036] Figure 11 FIG. 8 is a perspective cutaway view of a brewing basket according to one embodiment;

[0037] Figure 12A and Figure 12B FIGS. 9 and 10 are top views of a drip stop assembly in open and closed positions, respectively, according to one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 13 FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a brewing basket according to another embodiment; and

[0039] Figure 14 FIG. 12 is a side view of a brewing basket according to one embodiment. Figure 13

[0040] The detailed description explains embodiments of the disclosure, as well as advantages and features, by reference to the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for preparing various brewed beverages. Although the disclosure is described herein with reference to the preparation of brewed coffee beverages, the preparation of other brewed beverages is within the scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “coffee” refers to a beverage that includes solids extracted from coffee beans and dissolved in water. Brewed coffee is typically prepared by passing hot water through dry and ground coffee beans, referred to herein as “ground coffee.” The solids from the ground coffee are dissolved in the hot water as it passes therethrough.

[0042] Reference is now made to Figure 1 ​An example of a basic automatic beverage brewing system 10, such as a coffee maker, is shown in greater detail. The device includes a housing 12, a reservoir 14, a heating mechanism 16, a showerhead 18, and a brew basket assembly 20. The reservoir 14, heating mechanism 16, showerhead 18, and brew basket 20 are arranged in fluid communication in that order. Upon activation of the system 10, water or another fluid stored within the reservoir 14 is provided to the heating mechanism 16. After being heated to a desired temperature, the water is provided to the showerhead 18. The showerhead 18 is aligned with and vertically disposed above the brew basket assembly 20. The water is configured to flow through one or more orifices formed in the showerhead 18 to ground coffee or another flavoring agent contained within the brew basket assembly 20. The fluid containing a portion of the flavoring agent is provided to a container 21 via an outlet formed near the bottom of the brew basket assembly 10.

[0043] As Figure 1 shown, a flow meter 22 can be disposed within a conduit extending between the reservoir 14 and the heating mechanism 16. As shown, the reservoir 24 can be vertically aligned with the flow meter 22 such that water is delivered to the system 10, and more particularly to the flow meter 22, by gravity. The flow meter 22 is configured to monitor the amount of water passing therethrough, which generally indicates the amount of water provided to the showerhead 18. Various types of flow meters are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the flow meter 22 can be a rotatable paddle wheel, where each rotation generates a signal indicating that a known amount of water has passed through the flow meter 22. It should be appreciated that the beverage brewing system 10 shown and described herein is by way of example only, and that any other device for preparing a brewed beverage, such as a device including a pump for passing water, is within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] Referring now to Figures 2 to 12B , the brew basket assembly 20 is shown in greater detail. The brew basket assembly 20 includes a support 32 that is pivotably mounted to a portion of the housing 12, such as a sidewall 13 thereof, for movement between a retracted position Figure 2 and an extended position Figure 9 . Referring to Figure 2 , the support 32 has a generally hollow interior 34, and the cross-sectional area of the hollow interior 34 generally decreases between a first open end 36 and a second open end 38, such that the support 32 at least partially has a conical shape. In one embodiment, a tab 33 protrudes from an exterior of the support 32, and the tab 33 is received within a corresponding track 15 formed in an adjacent surface 17 of the housing 12 when the brew basket assembly 20 is in the retracted position.

[0045] Concentrically mounted within a portion of the support 32, such as adjacent the first end 36 of the support 32, is a collar 40. In one embodiment, the collar 40 is disposed within a recessed portion of the support 32 such that an inner surface 42 of the collar 40 is substantially flush with an adjacent inner surface 44 of the support 32. However, in other embodiments, the collar includes a lip for preventing water from entering the assembly 20. The collar 40 is attached to a portion of the housing 12 via a coupling 46 (see Figure 10 ) such that the collar 40 is configured to rotate relative to the support 32 as the support 32 is pivoted between the retracted and extended positions. In one embodiment, the coupling 46 is configured to maintain the relative positioning of the rotatable collar 40 during movement of the support 32.

[0046] The brew basket 50 can be housed within the hollow interior 34 of the support 32 and the collar 40. As best shown in Figure 4 and 5 , the brew basket 50 includes at least one sidewall that defines a hollow brew chamber 52 that is configured to receive a permanent or temporary filter (not shown) for containing a quantity of flavoring, such as ground coffee. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the brew basket 50 has a generally conical shape and is generally complementary to the inner surfaces 42, 44 of the support 32 and the collar 40. Adjacent a first open end 54 of the brew basket 50 is a handle 56. The handle 56 can be used, via the application of force thereto, to pivot the brew basket assembly 20 between the retracted and extended positions. In embodiments in which a permanent filter (not shown) is receivable within the brew basket 50, the permanent filter can include a handle that is complementary to and disposed in an overlapping arrangement with the handle 56 such that an operator of the beverage system 20 can easily empty the contents of the brew basket 50 and the permanent filter, such as by inverting the brew basket 50 while holding both the handle 56 and the corresponding handle on the permanent filter.

[0047] Extending outwardly from an outer surface 58 of the brew basket 50 is at least one protrusion 60. In Figure 5 the at least one protrusion 60 is configured to abut an adjacent portion of the collar 40 to limit rotation of the brew basket 50 relative to the collar 40. Because the brew basket 50 and the collar 40 are configured to rotate together, the brew basket 50 similarly maintains a relative position during movement of the support 32 between the retracted and extended positions. In one embodiment, the brew basket 50 remains in a position such that the handle 56 is always facing an operator arrangement at a front of the beverage system 20 (see Figures 7 to 9 ) as the support 32 is rotated between the retracted and extended positions.

[0048] At least one outlet 62 is formed near the closed second end 64 of the brewing basket 50 (in Figure 11 (Best shown in the diagram). At least one outlet 62 provides an opening through which fluid is discharged from the brewing basket 50 into an adjacent container 21. The flow of fluid through the outlet 62 can be selectively controlled. In one embodiment, the brewing basket assembly 20 includes an anti-drip assembly 70 configured to selectively prevent the brewed beverage from flowing out of the brewing basket assembly 20, thereby allowing for the change of the container 21 from which the brewed beverage is collected. The anti-drip assembly 70 includes a movable collar 72 mounted to a support 32 and configured to mate with at least one outlet 62 formed near a second end 64 of the brewing basket 50. The anti-drip ring 72 has a specific geometry that includes at least one washer 74 and is available in a first position ( Figure 12A ) and the second position ( Figure 12B The ring 72 rotates between the two outlets. When the anti-drip ring 72 is in the first position, the geometry and at least one washer 74 are arranged to allow the brewed beverage to drip from at least one outlet 62 of the brewing basket 50. When the ring 72 is in the second position, the geometry and at least one washer 74 interfere with at least one outlet 62 to block fluid from flowing through the at least one outlet.

[0049] Refer again Figure 4 In another embodiment, plunger 80 may be associated with each outlet 62 and may move between a closed position (in contact with an adjacent surface) and an open position (separated from an adjacent surface by a distance) to selectively allow fluid to flow through the outlet. Bias mechanism 82 may be configured to bias plunger 80 to the closed position. Figure 5 In the non-limiting embodiment shown, a cap 84 operably coupled to the plunger 80 is movably mounted adjacent to a second end 64 of the brewing basket 50 via at least one biasing mechanism 82. The association of the brewing basket 50 with the body 52 can be configured to apply force to the biasing mechanism 82 to open the plunger 80. In one embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown, one or more inclined tracks 86, configured as cam surfaces, can be formed in the inner surface 44 of the support 32. When the brewing basket 50 and the cap 84 are positioned within the interior 34 of the support 32, a protrusion 88 formed in the cap 84 engages the complementary track 86 of the support 32. As the support 32 rotates from the extended position to the retracted position, the movement of the protrusion 88 within the track 86 not only vertically elevates the brewing basket 50 relative to the support 32 but also applies a force to at least one biasing mechanism 82, thereby moving the plunger 80 to the open position. The vertical movement of the brewing basket 50 relative to the support 32 moves a first end 54 of the brewing basket 50 into contact with an adjacent surface (e.g., a mating ring on the spray head 28).

[0050] In yet another embodiment, such as Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the at least one outlet 62 may include a siphon having a conduit 90 fluidly coupled to the brewing chamber 52 and extending parallel to or at an angle to the sidewall 51 of the brewing chamber 52, such that the outlet point 92 of the conduit 90 is vertically positioned below the lowest surface holding the fluid in the brewing chamber 52. In such an embodiment, the fluid is configured to siphon out of the brewing basket 50 if at least sufficient water is injected into the brewing chamber 52 during the brewing process to completely fill the bend 94 in the conduit 90. The brewing basket 50 with siphon flow provides the additional benefit of reduced splashing due to more laminar flow and a clean cut-off with minimal dripping at the end of the brewing operation. To selectively control the flow of fluid through the conduit 90, the support 32 or collar 40 may be configured to apply pressure to or squeeze the conduit 90 when the support 32 is rotated relative to the housing 22 to an extended position, thereby restricting the flow through the conduit.

[0051] System 10 may include one or more indicators, such as lights, configured to indicate to a user whether the brewing basket assembly 20 is in a retracted position ready for brewing. Alternatively or additionally, system 10 may include one or more indicators configured to indicate whether at least one outlet 62 of the brewing basket 50 is open to allow the brewed beverage to flow freely into an adjacent container 21.

[0052] All references cited in this article, including publications, patent applications and patents, are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent that each reference is individually and specifically indicated by reference and as fully elaborated in this article.

[0053] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

[0054] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for practicing the present disclosure. Variations of these embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the present disclosure to be practiced with all modifications that can fall within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims presented by the circumstances, as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise evident to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A beverage system, comprising: case; A brewing basket, connected to the housing, having an open first end, a closed second end, at least one side wall defining a brewing chamber, and at least one outlet; as well as A plunger associated with the at least one outlet and movable between a closed position and an open position, and a brewing basket movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, when the brewing basket is in the retracted position, the brewing basket is arranged to make sealing contact with an adjacent surface of the beverage system.

2. The beverage system according to claim 1, wherein, The adjacent surfaces of the beverage system include spray nozzles.

3. The beverage system of claim 1, further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to bias the plunger to the closed position.

4. The beverage system of claim 3, further comprising a biasing member mounted to the closed second end of the brewing basket, the biasing member being biased relative to the closed second end via at least one of the biasing mechanisms, the biasing member being operatively coupled to the plunger to move the plunger between the sealed position and the open position.

5. The beverage system according to claim 4, wherein, During the movement of the brewing basket between the extended position and the retracted position, the biasing member is configured to associate with an adjacent cam surface to apply a force to at least one of the biasing mechanisms.

6. The beverage system according to claim 5, wherein, As the brewing basket rotates from the extended position to the retracted position, the association between the biasing member and the cam surface causes the brewing basket to move vertically.

7. The beverage system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one outlet includes a siphon having a conduit fluidly coupled to the interior of the brewing basket and extending from at least one side wall of the brewing basket.

8. The beverage system according to claim 7, wherein, The movement of the brewing basket from the retracted position to the extended position clamps the conduit to restrict the flow through the conduit.

9. A beverage system, comprising: case; A brewing basket, which is connected to the housing and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, includes at least one outlet, wherein the at least one outlet is sealed when the brewing basket moves from the retracted position to the extended position.

10. The beverage system of claim 9, further comprising an indicator indicating when the brewing basket is in the retracted position.

11. The beverage system of claim 9, further comprising an indicator indicating when the at least one outlet of the brewing basket is sealed.

12. The beverage system of claim 9, further comprising an anti-drip assembly, the anti-drip assembly comprising an anti-drip collar and at least one washer, the anti-drip collar being rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein: At the first position, the anti-drip assembly is arranged to allow fluid to drip from the at least one outlet, and In the second position, the at least one gasket is arranged to interfere with the at least one outlet to block fluid from flowing through the at least one outlet.

13. The beverage system according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one outlet includes a siphon having a conduit fluidly coupled to the brewing chamber of the brewing basket.

14. The beverage system according to claim 13, wherein, The movement of the brewing basket from the retracted position to the extended position clamps the conduit to restrict the flow through the conduit.

15. A beverage system comprising: case; as well as A brewing basket, connected to the housing and pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position, the brewing basket including at least one outlet, wherein the orientation of the brewing basket remains substantially constant during movement between the retracted position and the extended position.

16. The beverage system of claim 15, further comprising a support member pivotally coupled to the housing and having an open first end, the open first end including a recessed portion, a collar concentrically positioned within the recessed portion, and a connecting member coupling the collar to the housing.

17. The beverage system according to claim 16, wherein, The collar is configured to rotate relative to the support member when the support member pivots between the retracted position and the extended position.

18. The beverage system according to claim 16, wherein, The coupling is configured to maintain the relative position of the collar during movement between the retracted position and the extended position.

19. The beverage system according to claim 16, wherein, The brewing basket includes a handle adjacent to an open first end of the brewing basket, and the support is configured to rotate between a retracted position and an extended position, such that the handle faces the operator of the beverage system in each of the retracted and extended positions.

20. The beverage system according to claim 16, wherein, The collar includes a circumferential protrusion configured to restrict fluid from entering the housing when the brewing basket is in the retracted position.

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