Pouring assembly

Abstract

A pouring assembly (100) comprising: a spout mechanism (120) rotatable about a rotation axis (122) and comprising a spout (130) pivotable about a pivot axis (132), the rotation axis (122) and pivot axis (132) being non-parallel, the spout mechanism (120) including a follower (134) extending away from the pivot axis (132); and, a cam mechanism (150) comprising a cam surface (154), the follower (134) of the spout mechanism (120) being disposed to abut the cam surface (154), wherein the spout mechanism (120) rotates at a first rate of rotation and the cam mechanism (150) interacts with the follower (134) to urge the spout (130) to pivot about the pivot axis (132).

Description

POURING ASSEMBLYRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims convention priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024901999, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto.FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a pouring assembly, in particular a pouring assembly for use in a beverage brewing machine.BACKGROUND

[0003] Various cooking processes require the extraction of soluble compounds from a substrate by immersion and / or percolation of a liquid. For example, in coffee brewing some compounds are more soluble in water than others, meaning that a more thorough, or less thorough extraction leads to a different overall flavour of the resulting beverage. As a result, the soluble compounds from coffee grounds should be extracted as evenly as possible to provide control to the user over which compounds are extracted for a particular beverage. If the extraction is uneven, some undesired compounds may be extracted, or the range of flavours that are possible to extract is narrower, due to the broader extraction curve.

[0004] Pour-over brewing of coffee has emerged as a simple method of tightly controllable coffee brewing, as the extraction occurs at low pressure, reducing the tendency of so-called channeling that may occur in pressurized brewing methods, such as in an espresso machine. Pour-over brewing is typically performed manually using a pouring device, typically a kettle, with a spout having a small diameter to limit the flow rate, and the spout having a neck with a length significant enough to fully develop the liquid flow profile through the neck for a substantially even flow rate. Hot water is poured using the pouring device over the coffee grounds. Typically, the pouring is performed in two steps, a first “blooming” step, wherein a small amount of water is poured over the grounds to wet the grounds, and a “brewing” step, wherein the desired quantity of water is poured over the grounds to extract the beverage. The brewing step may be performed in multiple stages, to avoid uplift of the grounds.

[0005] As may be noticeable from this description, while conceptually simple, the technique of brewing pour over coffee is delicate. Many practitioners employ sensitive scales and timers to precisely measure the flow rates of water in the blooming and brewing steps, as these variables can substantially influence the quality of the resulting beverage. Existing approaches to offer automated pour over coffee, to avoid the substantial learning curve of the manual process, are expensive, due to the many degrees of freedom required to correctly pour the water.SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of the above manual and / or automated pour over methods, or at least provide a useful alternative to the above-mentioned pour over coffee brewers.

[0007] There is disclosed, in a first aspect, a pouring assembly comprising: a spout mechanism rotatable about a rotation axis and comprising a spout pivotable about a pivot axis, the rotation axis and pivot axis being non-parallel, the spout mechanism including a follower extending away from the pivot axis; and, a cam mechanism comprising a cam surface, the follower of the spout mechanism being disposed to abut the cam surface, wherein the spout mechanism rotates at a first rate of rotation and the cam mechanism interacts with the follower to urge the spout to pivot about the pivot axis.

[0008] Preferably, the spout mechanism comprises a geared portion configured to cooperate with a drive gear to effect rotation of the spout mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, the cam mechanism is rotatable about the rotation axis and rotates at a second rate of rotation non-equal to the first rate of rotation.

[0010] Preferably, the cam mechanism comprises a geared portion configured to cooperate with a drive gear to effect rotation of the cam mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the spout mechanism drive gear and the cam mechanism drive gear rotate about a drive axis at the same rate of rotation.

[0012] Preferably, the spout mechanism drive gear and the cam mechanism drive gear are driven by the same drive shaft.

[0013] Preferably, the spout mechanism geared portion and the cam mechanism geared portion are concentrically arranged about the rotation axis.

[0014] Preferably, the pouring assembly includes: a motor to drive the drive shaft, a controller to operate the motor, a motor sensor to provide a motor signal to the controller indicative of at least one of the motor position, speed, acceleration, and torque, wherein the controller is adapted to cease operation of the motor when the motor signal indicates that the cam mechanism and spout mechanism have both returned to a starting position.

[0015] Preferably, the cam surface includes a contoured annulus having an aperture, with the spout mechanism projecting through the aperture for receiving liquid to be dispensed by the spout.

[0016] Preferably, the spout mechanism includes a bias mechanism that urges the follower of the spout mechanism against the cam surface.

[0017] Preferably, the bias mechanism includes a tension spring connected to the spout mechanism opposite the follower to create a moment about the pivot axis to urge the follower against the cam surface.

[0018] Preferably, the cam surface includes a reference minimum corresponding to an orientation of the spout in which the spout is substantially aligned with the rotation axis, and a maximum corresponding to a maximal deflection of the spout from the rotation axis.

[0019] Preferably, the cam surface includes a second minimum, and a second maximum, wherein the second maximum corresponds to an intermediate deflection less than the maximal deflection of the spout.

[0020] Preferably, the second minimum is substantially equal to the reference minimum.

[0021] Preferably, the second minimum corresponds to a deflection of the spout between the rotation axis and the intermediate deflection.

[0022] Preferably, the controller is adapted to cease operation of the motor when the motor signal indicates that the follower of the spout mechanism has reached the second minimum.

[0023] Preferably, the spout mechanism and the cam mechanism may be driven in either direction about the rotation axis, such that the spout is either urged by the maximum or the second maximum.

[0024] Preferably, the spout mechanism and the cam mechanism may be reversed after being urged by either the maximum or the second maximum, before being urged by the respective other.

[0025] There is disclosed, in a second aspect a beverage brewing machine including the pouring assembly of the first aspect.

[0026] Preferably, the beverage brewing machine includes: a brewing chamber aligned with the rotation axis; a grinder to grind a beverage substrate to be brewed; a chute from the grinder to the brewing chamber to deliver the ground beverage substrate to the brewing chamber; a source of water; a heater disposed between and in liquid connection with the source of water and the spout mechanism.

[0027] Preferably, the beverage brewing machine includes a pump to deliver water from the source of water to the heater and / or the spout mechanism, wherein a feed rate of the pump is selectable and / or a heating power of the heater is selectable.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference signs designate like parts and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a beverage brewing machine having a pouring assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a detailed side section view of the beverage brewing machine of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of the beverage brewing machine ofFIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 3.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a path chart of the pouring assembly of FIG. 4.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the pouring pattern of the pouring assembly of FIG. 4.

[0035] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 4, highlighting the cam surface.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a section view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 4.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a sectioned isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 4.

[0038] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a pouring assembly according to a second embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a path chart of the pouring assembly of FIG. 10.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the pouring pattern of the pouring assembly of FIG. 10.

[0041] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a pouring assembly according to a second embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a path chart of the pouring assembly of FIG. 13.

[0043] FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the pouring pattern of the pouring assembly of FIG. 13.

[0044] FIG. 16 is a top view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 10 in the reference minimum position.

[0045] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 16.

[0046] FIG. 18 is a side view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 16.

[0047] FIG. 19 is a front view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 16.

[0048] FIG. 20 is a top view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 10 in the second maximum position.

[0049] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 20.

[0050] FIG. 22 is a side view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 20.

[0051] FIG. 23 is a front view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 20.

[0052] FIG. 24 is a top view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 10 in the second minimum position.

[0053] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 24.

[0054] FIG. 26 is a side view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 24.

[0055] FIG. 27 is a front view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 24.

[0056] FIG. 28 is a top view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 10 in the maximum position.

[0057] FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 28.

[0058] FIG. 30 is a side view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 28.

[0059] FIG. 31 is a front view of the pouring assembly of FIG. 28.

[0060] FIG. 32 is a schematic of pouring patterns for a variety of brewing operations.

[0061] FIG. 33 is a schematic section view of a brewing operation for a large dose and a small dose.

[0062] FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing the pre-brewing steps of the beverage brewing machine of FIG. 1.

[0063] FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the brewing steps of the beverage brewing machine of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a beverage brewing machine 200 having a pouring assembly 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pouring assembly 100 includes a spout mechanism 120 rotatable about a rotation axis 122. The pouring assembly 100 has a spout 130 that is pivotable about a pivot axis 132, as shown in FIG. 7. To this end the spout assembly 120 may include pivot rollers 138 extending along the pivot axis 132. The spout assembly 120 also includes a follower 134 extending away from the pivot axis 132. As shown in FIG. 4, the pouring assembly 100 includes a cam mechanism 150 having a cam surface 154, and as shown in FIG. 7, the follower 134 of the spout mechanism 120 is disposed to abut the cam surface 154. The spout mechanism 120 rotates about the rotation axis 122 at a first rate of rotation, and the cam mechanism 150 interacts with the follower 134 as the spout mechanism 120 rotates to urge the spout 130 to pivot about the pivot axis 132. As shown in FIG. 3, the spout mechanism 120 may include a geared portion 126. The pouring assembly 100 includes a drive gear 180 mounted to a drive shaft 184 rotating about a drive axis 182 at a drive rotation rate. The geared portion 126 is configured to cooperate with the drive gear 180 to effect rotation of the spout mechanism 120 about the rotation axis 122. Preferably, the rotation axis 122 and the drive axis 182 are non-parallel, most preferably they are perpendicular.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the cam mechanism 150 rotates about a rotation axis 152 at a second rate of rotation. It is preferred that the rotation axes 122, 152 are parallel, most preferably collinear. It is further preferred that the second rate of rotation is non-equal to the first rate of rotation. To this end, the cam mechanism 150 may include a geared portion 156 that is configured to cooperate with the drive gear 180 to effect rotation of the cam mechanism 150. While it is preferred that the geared portions 126, 156 are driven by the same drive gear 180 rotating about the same drive axis 182 at the same drive rotation rate, this need not be the case. The geared portion 126 and the geared portion 156 could be driven by separate drive gears 180, at different drive rotation rates, and / or about a different drive axis 182. As shown in FIG. 3, thegeared portions 126, 156 are preferably arranged concentrically about the rotation axis 122. In a contemplated further embodiment, the drive gear 180 could include further drive gears to drive further sub movements. For example, instead of having a single spiral for the spout 130, there could be a wiggle in the movement, or a smaller spiral along the path of the main spiral. A further mechanism could use a further geared portion to move the spout 130 or the existing cam mechanism 150 itself.

[0066] In another embodiment, a third gear portion and drive gear could be utilised to scale the size of the existing spiral by pushing the cam mechanism 150 upwards and downwards, which would change the offset of the resulting spiral. In this instance, the further drive gear would operate independently of the existing drive gear 180 to generate the movement.

[0067] If the first rate of rotation is non-equal to the second rate of rotation, a spiral pour pattern is achieved. The number of spirals poured in a pattern between re-alignment of the cam mechanism 150 and the spout mechanism 120 in their departing orientations is provided by the following relationships:

[0068] Where coSpout is the first rate of rotation, coCam is the second rate of rotation, a is the gear ratio between the drive gear 180 and the cam mechanism 150, b is the gear ratio between the drive gear 180 and the spout mechanism 120, and Shonzontai is a horizontal displacement.

[0069] Moving to FIG. 7, the cam surface 150 preferably includes a contoured annulus 158. FIG. 5 shows the contoured annulus 158 of one embodiment in an unwrapped top view, with a corresponding height profile. The contoured annulus 158 may include an aperture 160, with thespout mechanism 120 projecting through the aperture 160 for receiving liquid to be dispensed by the spout 130. As shown in FIG. 8, the spout mechanism 120 may include a bias mechanism 136 that urges the follower 134 against the cam surface 154. The bias mechanism 136 preferably includes a tension spring 137, such as a torsion spring, connected to the spout mechanism 120 opposite the follower 134 to create a moment about the pivot axis 132. In other embodiments, the bias mechanism 136 may include a tension device such as an elastic member located on the same side as the follower 134. The moment created by the torsion spring 137 urges the follower 134 against the cam surface 154. As shown in FIG. 9, the spout mechanism 120 may include a housing 140, having pivot holders 142 for receiving the pivot rollers 138. The torsion spring 137 may be coiled about a rod 139 extending substantially parallel to the pivot rollers 138 or such that a turning moment about the pivot rollers 138 is created, with the other end of the torsion spring 137 being connected to the housing 140. Preferably, the rod 139 is also part of the housing 140. The rod 139 may be embodied as two separate rods 139 as shown in FIG. 7, and the tension spring 137 may be embodied as two separate spring portions.

[0070] Reverting now to FIG. 5 to explain the profiling of the cam surface 154 and its effect on the orientation of the spout 130 in more detail. FIG. 5 is a path chart being an unpacked and flattened contact path of the follower 134, as well as a top view of the contact path. The cam surface 154 includes a reference minimum 162 corresponding to an orientation of the spout 130 in which the spout 120 is substantially aligned with the rotation axis 122. This position may be described as the reference position and is shown in FIGS. 16 to 19. The cam surface 154 further includes a maximum 164 corresponding to a maximal deflection of the spout 120 from the rotation axis 122. This position may be described as the maximum position and is shown in FIGS. 28 to 31. As the spout mechanism 120 rotates relative to the cam mechanism 150, or vice versa, the spout 130 moves between the reference position to the maximum position, as the follower 134 follows the cam surface 154. In the embodiment where only the spout mechanism 120 rotates, this would result in a pour path of an ellipse. In the preferred embodiment, where both the spout mechanism 120 and the cam mechanism 150 rotate, but at non-equal rotation rates so that relative movement between the spout mechanism 120 and the cam mechanism 150 exists, a spiral pour pattern as shown in FIG. 6 is created. The centre of the pour pattern corresponds to the reference minimum 162, while a radially outermost circumference corresponds to the maximum 164. As previously explained, the surfaces shown in FIGS. 16 to 31 correspond to the unwrapped path charts shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, as well as the resulting pour patterns shown in FIGS. 12 and 15.

[0071] Different pour patterns may be created by altering the configuration of the cam surface 154. Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the cam surface 154 may include a second minimum 166 and a second maximum 168, dividing the cam surface 154 into four sectors together with the reference minimum 162 and the maximum 164. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the second minimum 166 is shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, and is substantially the same as the reference minimum 162, while the second maximum 168 corresponds to an intermediate deflection of the spout 130 from the rotation axis 122 that is less than the maximal deflection of the spout 130, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 23. Thus, the reference minimum 162 has, on one side of the cam surface 154, the maximum 164, and on the other, the second maximum 168. As shown in FIG. 12, driving the spout mechanism 120 and the cam mechanism 150 such that the relative rotation urges the follower 134 along the second maximum 168 creates a spiral pour pattern of the orientation of the spout 130. As shown on the left hand side, the outer diameter of the pour pattern is determined by the second maximum 168, which corresponds to less deflection of the spout 130 than the maximum 164. Thus, the spout mechanism 120 and cam mechanism 150, departing from either minimum 162, 166 can be driven in one direction 170 about the rotation axis 122 to create a small spiral, or in the opposite direction 170’ to create a large spiral. The spout mechanism 120 and cam mechanism 150 may also, instead of being reversed at the second minimum 166, be driven in the direction 170 to complete a whole relative rotation to return to the reference minimum 162, having poured a large spiral and a small spiral in succession, or vice versa.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the cam surface 154 may be modified yet further, by changing the second minimum 166 to correspond to a position of the spout 130 between the reference minimum 162 and the maximum 164. As shown in FIG. 15, this causes the end of the pour pattern to be non-central, or non-incident with the rotation axis 122, which may have the advantage of spreading the water flow rate over more surface area in the centre of the spiral pour pattern.

[0073] Having reference to FIGS. 16 to 31, a complete pouring operation may start from the reference minimum 162 of FIGS. 16 to 19, complete a small outward spiral to the second maximum 168 shown in FIGS 20 to 23, complete a small inward spiral to the second minimum 166 shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, complete a large outward spiral to the maximum 164 shown in FIGS. 28 to 31, and then return on a large inward spiral to the reference minimum 162 shown in FIGS. 16 to 19. Alternatively, the operation may be completed in reverse in its entirety and / orreversed at the second minimum 166 such that only a small spiral or only a large spiral is poured.

[0074] A summary of these options is shown in FIG. 32, as they correspond with a desired output beverage. Small beverage of serving size 1 might include four pourings of small spirals, while a large beverage of serving size 4 might include a bloom pour of a small spiral, and three brewing pours of large spirals. FIG. 33 illustrates the possibility of using a respective half of the cam surface 154 for the large spiral pour from reference minimum 162 to maximum 164, and a small spiral pour from the reference minimum 162 to the second maximum 166. As can be seen in FIG. 33, the pouring of a small spiral is adapted to efficiently wet the smaller exposed area of coffee grounds in a conical filter filled to a lower level, while the pouring of a large spiral is adapted to efficiently wet the larger exposed area of coffee grounds in the conical filter filled to a higher level.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pouring assembly 100 may form part of the beverage brewing machine 200. The beverage brewing machine 200 includes a brewing chamber 210 aligned with the rotation axis 122. The beverage brewing machine 200 may also include a grinder 220 to grind a beverage substrate, such as coffee beans, to be brewed. The grinder 220 may be fed from a reservoir 270 for holding unground beverage substrate. The machine 200 further includes a chute 230 from the grinder 220 to the brewing chamber 210 to deliver the ground beverage substrate to the brewing chamber 210 under the influence of gravity. A source of water 240 is provided, such as a reservoir or a tap connection, and a heater 250 is disposed between and in liquid connection with the source of water 240 and the spout mechanism 120. The source of water 240 may include a level sensor 242 to provide a level signal indicative of the water level of the source of water 240. The water may flow from the source 240 to the heater 250 under the influence of gravity, if the source 240 is located higher than an inlet (not shown) of the heater 250. The water may be moved from the heater 250 to the spout 130 by steam propelling, i.e. the heater 250 turns a proportion of the water to steam which has a buoyancy and forces the remaining water upwards towards the spout 130. In another embodiment, the beverage brewing machine 200 includes a pump 260 to deliver water from the source 240 to the heater 250 and / or the spout mechanism 120. This embodiment is preferred as the feed rate of the pump 260 may be selectable, and this is a more reliable way of adjusting the water flow rate than the energy of the heater 250 to increase a steam proportion of the water flow rate. Additionally, propelling the water by steam couples the flow rate to the watertemperature at the spout 130. Users prefer to set both the water flow rate and the water temperature independently. Thus, it is preferred that a heating power of the heater 250 is selectable. For example, the pouring assembly 100 could be used to produce cold drip coffee by selecting a very low feed rate of the pump 260, and select the heating power to be zero.

[0076] To this end, the pouring assembly includes a controller 102. The drive shaft 184 is driven by a motor 190 controlled by the controller 102, and the motor includes a motor sensor 192 may provide a motor signal to the controller 102 indicative of at least one of the motor position, speed, acceleration, and torque. The controller 102 may be adapted to cease operation of the motor 190 when the motor signal indicates that the cam mechanism 150 and the spout mechanism 120 have both returned to a starting position, preferably being the reference minimum 162. The controller 102 may determine that the starting position has been reached using by counting the number of revolutions of the motor 190, and checking whether the revolutions meet the requirement according to the following formula:

[0077] Where a is the gear ratio between the drive gear 180 and the cam mechanism 150, and b is the gear ratio between the drive gear 180 and the spout mechanism 120

[0078] In another embodiment, the controller 102 is adapted to cease operation of the motor 190 when the motor signal indicates that the follower 134 of the spout mechanism 120 has reached the second minimum 166 of the cam surface 154.

[0079] FIGS. 34 and 35 show the operation of the beverage brewing machine 200 in more detail. At step S 101, the controller 102 may check the level signal from the level sensor 242 to verify that sufficient water is providable by the source of water 240. At step S103, the controller preferably checks a micro switch 222 associated with the grinder 220 to determine that the grinder 220 is securely in place. If either check fails, the controller 102 may operate a warning light (not shown) in an interrupted fashion at step SI 05, and prevent operation of the machine 200. If both steps S101 and SI 03 are successful, the controller 102 may illuminate the warning light without interruption at step SI 07. At step SI 09, the controller 102 may check a micro switch 212 associated with the brewing chamber 210 to determine that the brewing chamber 210 is in a brewing position, as shown in FIG. 1, to receive ground substrate and water.The brewing chamber 210 may be drivable by a motor 214, preferably a servo motor. If the check at SI 09 fails, the motor 214 is driven by the controller 102, at step SI 11, to move the brewing chamber 210 to the brewing position. The controller 102 will continue the check of S109, while performing Si l l, until it is successful. When the check of S109 is successful, the controller 102, at step SI 13, ceases operation of the motor 214.

[0080] At step SI 15, the controller 102 checks a spout sensor 131 to determine whether the spout 130 is in the reference minimum 162 position. If the check of SI 15 fails, the controller 102, at step SI 17, uses the motor 190 to drive the spout mechanism 120 and cam mechanism 150 in one direction 170 for a period of time, the check of SI 15 is repeated during the period of time. When the period of time has elapsed, the controller 102, at step SI 19, uses the motor 190 to drive the spout mechanism 120 and cam mechanism 150 opposite the direction 170 for a second period of time, wherein the second period is longer than the first period. The check of SI 15 is repeated during the second period of time. When the check of SI 15 is successful at any time, the controller 102, at step S 121 , stops operation the motor 190. The machine 200 is now ready to commence a brew operation, upon selection of a “start” button (not shown), at step S123.

[0081] A recipe may be selected by the user, specifying a quantity of beverage (e.g. a number of cups), and a strength of the beverage (e.g. strong or weak). In another embodiment, the recipe may be selected by a specification of mass of coffee beans and an volume of beverage output. Once a brewing operation has commenced the heater 250 is activated, at step S125, to start heating water from the source of water 240. At step SI 27, the motor 214 is used to move the brewing chamber 210 to a grinding position, such that the chute 230 opens substantially centrally over the brewing chamber 210. To this end, at step S127, the controller checks whether a second micro switch 216 associated with the grinding position is actuated. Once the check of S127 is successful, the controller, at step S129, stops the motor 214. The controller 102 then, at step S131, actuates the grinder 220 for a time interval. The time interval may be determined by the controller 102 based on the quantity and / or strength of the beverage indicated by the user. When the time interval has elapsed, the controller 102, at step S133 operates the motor 214 to move the brewing chamber to the brewing position, checking that the brewing position has been reached at step S135 by polling the micro switch 212. When the check of S135 is successful, the controller 102, at step S137 stops operating the motor 214. Thecontroller 102 then, at step SI 37, conducts the brewing operation using the motor 190 as described above in reference to FIGS. 16 to 31.

[0082] Advantages of the pouring assembly 100 will now be discussed. The use of the cam mechanism 150 to urge the spout 130 to pivot about the pivot axis 132 causes the spout 130 to direct water to different portions of the ground coffee dose as the spout 130, to more evenly wet the grounds. The rotation of the cam mechanism at a rate that is non-equal to the first rate causes the spout 130 to pour a spiral pattern, conducive to more even wetting of the grounds. The use of the geared portion 126 and drive gear 130 allow the controller 102 to track the rotational position of the spout mechanism 120 and the cam mechanism 150 by receiving the motor signal being indicative of the rotational position of the motor 190. The use of the drive gear 190 that is both the cam mechanism drive gear and the spout mechanism drive gear allows the use of a single motor 190. The concentric arrangement of the spout mechanism drive gear and the cam mechanism geared portion allows mounting of the spout 130 through the gear portions. The use of the controller 102 allows portioning of the recipe by pouring controlled sequences of small and / or large spiral patterns.

[0083] The use of the annulus with the aperture allow the spout 130 to be mounted through the cam mechanism 150, reducing the size of the pouring assembly 100. The use of the bias mechanism encourages continued contact between the follower and the cam surface. The use of the reference minimum allows reliable orientation of the spout 130 in the starting position. The use of the second maximum and / or the second minimum allows the pouring of differently sized and / or distributed spirals using a single cam surface.

[0084] It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing”, “have”, “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms “a” and “an” used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

[0085] It should be appreciated that the term connected, when used in the claims and unless otherwise specified, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0086] Integers:100 pouring assembly 164 maximum102 controller 166 second minimum120 spout mechanism 168 second maximum122 rotation axis 170 direction about rotation axis126 geared portion 180 drive gear130 spout 182 drive axis131 spout sensor 184 drive shaft132 pivot axis 190 motor134 follower 192 motor sensor136 bias mechanism 200 beverage brewing machine137 torsion spring 210 brewing chamber138 pivot rollers 212 micro switch139 rod for torsion spring 214 motor140 housing 216 second micro switch142 pivot holders 220 grinder150 cam mechani sm 222 micro switch152 rotation axis 230 chute154 cam surface 240 source of water156 geared portion 242 level sensor158 contoured annulus 250 heater160 aperture 260 pump162 reference minimum

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pouring assembly comprising: a spout mechanism rotatable about a rotation axis and comprising a spout pivotable about a pivot axis, the rotation axis and pivot axis being non-parallel, the spout mechanism including a follower extending away from the pivot axis; and, a cam mechanism comprising a cam surface, the follower of the spout mechanism being disposed to abut the cam surface, wherein the spout mechanism rotates at a first rate of rotation and the cam mechanism interacts with the follower to urge the spout to pivot about the pivot axis.

2. The pouring assembly of claim 1, wherein the spout mechanism comprises a geared portion configured to cooperate with a drive gear to effect rotation of the spout mechanism.

3. The pouring assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cam mechanism is rotatable about the rotation axis and rotates at a second rate of rotation non-equal to the first rate of rotation.

4. The pouring assembly of claim 3, wherein the cam mechanism comprises a geared portion configured to cooperate with a drive gear to effect rotation of the cam mechanism.

5. The pouring assembly of claim 4, wherein the spout mechanism drive gear and the cam mechanism drive gear rotate about a drive axis at the same rate of rotation.

6. The pouring assembly of claim 5, wherein the spout mechanism drive gear and the cam mechanism drive gear are driven by the same drive shaft.

7. The pouring assembly of claim 6, wherein the pouring assembly includes: a motor to drive the drive shaft, a controller to operate the motor, a motor sensor to provide a motor signal to the controller indicative of at least one of the motor position, speed, acceleration, and torque, wherein the controller is adapted to cease operation of the motor when the motor signal indicates that the cam mechanism and spout mechanism have both returned to a starting position.

8. The pouring assembly of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the spout mechanism geared portion and the cam mechanism geared portion are concentrically arranged about the rotation axis.

9. The pouring assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cam surface includes a contoured annulus having an aperture, with the spout mechanism projecting through the aperture for receiving liquid to be dispensed by the spout.

10. The pouring assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spout mechanism includes a bias mechanism that urges the follower of the spout mechanism against the cam surface.

11. The pouring assembly of claim 10, wherein the bias mechanism includes a tension spring connected to the spout mechanism opposite the follower to create a moment about the pivot axis to urge the follower against the cam surface.

12. The pouring assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cam surface includes a reference minimum corresponding to an orientation of the spout in which the spout is substantially aligned with the rotation axis, and a maximum corresponding to a maximal deflection of the spout from the rotation axis.

13. The pouring assembly of claim 12, wherein the cam surface includes a second minimum, and a second maximum, wherein the second maximum corresponds to an intermediate deflection less than the maximal deflection of the spout.

14. The pouring assembly of claim 13, wherein the second minimum is substantially equal to the reference minimum.

15. The pouring assembly of claim 13 or 14, wherein the second minimum corresponds to a deflection of the spout between the rotation axis and the intermediate deflection.

16. The pouring assembly of any one of claims 13 to 15, when dependent from claim 8, wherein the controller is adapted to cease operation of the motor when the motor signal indicates that the follower of the spout mechanism has reached the second minimum.

17. The pouring assembly of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the spout mechanism and the cam mechanism may be driven in either direction about the rotation axis, such that the spout is either urged by the maximum or the second maximum.

18. The pouring assembly of claim 17, wherein the spout mechanism and the cam mechanism may be reversed after being urged by either the maximum or the second maximum, before being urged by the respective other.

19. A beverage brewing machine including the pouring assembly of any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The beverage brewing machine of claim 19, wherein the beverage brewing machine includes: a brewing chamber aligned with the rotation axis; a grinder to grind a beverage substrate to be brewed; a chute from the grinder to the brewing chamber to deliver the ground beverage substrate to the brewing chamber; a source of water; a heater disposed between and in liquid connection with the source of water and the spout mechanism.

21. The beverage brewing machine of claim 20, wherein the beverage brewing machine includes a pump to deliver water from the source of water to the heater and / or the spout mechanism, wherein a feed rate of the pump is selectable and / or a heating power of the heater is selectable.

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