SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING A BEVERAGE

A system and a method for making a beverage from a mixture of liquid and solid particles are disclosed. The liquid and solid particles are introduced into a chamber so as to allow the liquid to infuse with the flavour or quality of the solid particles. A piston having an integrated filter is in sealed contact with the chamber, and can be vertically displaced within the chamber. When the piston is displaced downward, air is forced from below the filter and into the mixture sitting above the filter, agitating the mixture. When the piston is displaced upward, the mixture is drawn from above the filter. This separates the spent solid particles from the infused liquid, which collects in the chamber, thereby making the beverage. Also described are a driving mechanism for displacing the piston, a dispensing mechanism for releasing the beverage, and a wiping mechanism for wiping spent solid particles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features of the illustrated embodiments and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are provided for exemplification purposes only.

In addition, although the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings include various components and although the described embodiments of the system and method as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are considered essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the system and method. It is to be understood that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the system and corresponding parts, as briefly explained herein, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present description relates to a brewer system (sometimes referred to as simply “system”) and a method for making a beverage from a mixture of liquid and infusible solid particles. The system and method can be used to make a beverage and to dispense it, such as into a user's cup, for example. The term “making” refers to the bringing about or creation of the beverage from the mixture of liquid and solid particles.

The liquid so mixed can be any suitable liquid used for making beverages. The most common example of such a liquid includes water, heated or not heated, which is used in most beverages fit for human consumption. In some instances, it may be desired to use liquids other than water, such as milk, cream, syrup, and juices. The expression “infusible solid particles” refers to any solid capable of being mixed with a liquid to create a solution. The solid particles can be of any size or shape provided that they are “infusible”, which refers to their ability to at least partially dissolve and/or to impart a flavouring or quality to the liquid. Some examples of such infusible solid particles include coffee, tea, and chocolate. Consequently, the term “beverage” as used herein refers to the state of the mixture once the liquid has been suitably infused with the solid particles such that the mixture is ready to be consumed. Some examples of beverages that can be made according to the system and method include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and juice. Different properties can also be imparted to such beverages by modifying some of the parameters of the system or method.

Referring toFIG. 1, and according to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a brewer system20for making and dispensing a beverage from a mixture of liquid and infusible solid particles. The expression “brewer system” as used herein refers to a mechanism or assembly which allows for the making of a beverage through processes such as soaking, boiling, and mixing. Although not described in detail in the present disclosure, it is understood that some of the features of the system20can be supported by various support structures such as a support frame, housings, and other similar structures.

The brewer system20has a chamber30for receiving the liquid and the particles. The chamber30is the component of the system20which receives the mixture of liquid and solid particles, and which houses the mixture while it is being made into the beverage. The chamber30can therefore take any shape, or be of any appropriate dimension, provided that it can receive and hold a sufficient quantity of mixture for a desired application. The chamber30can thus be cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable shape. The chamber30can also be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the material of the chamber is preferably resistant the cyclical stresses associated with repeated infusion cycles, and can resist the pressure and temperature generated during these cycles, among other factors. As such, some examples of the materials that can be used for the chamber30include thermoplastics or other polymers, and metal alloys.

The chamber30has an inner surface32, and an outlet34. The outlet34may be embodied by any suitable aperture, release, duct, or other like structure from which the beverage or mixture can be dispensed.

The brewer system20also includes a piston40in sealed contact with the inner surface32, and which is displaceable within the chamber30. The piston40provides a barrier between portions of the chamber30such that liquids, solids, and gasses from one portion can only pass through the piston40to another portion of the chamber30under certain conditions. This barrier allows the piston40to push/pull liquids, solids, and gasses as required. The piston40can be any disc, cylinder, head, or other like device or assembly which abuts against the inner surface32and can move within the chamber30while keeping this contact.

Indeed, the piston40is in “sealed contact” with the inner surface32, which is understood to mean that the piston40fits closely within the inner surface32such that liquids, solids, or gas cannot substantially bypass the interface between the piston's40edges and the inner surface32. One possible technique by which this sealed contact can be achieved is through the use of gaskets or other suitable seals mounted about the edge of the piston40, these seals abutting against the inner surface32. In order to facilitate the movement of the piston40while still maintaining the sealed contact of the piston40with the inner surface32, the inner surface32may be made of a material, or have a material added to it, which reduces the friction caused by the sealed contact.

The piston40is vertically displaceable within the chamber30, that is, it can move both upward and downward in the chamber30, against the inner surface32. The use of the terms “up” and “down” to describe the motion of the piston40may be used in a relative sense, meaning that the piston40can be displaced vertically within the fixed chamber30, or alternatively, the chamber30can be moved vertically with respect to a fixed piston40. Irrespective of such relative motion, the piston40divides the chamber30into both an upper portion42corresponding to the portion of the chamber30above the piston40, and a lower portion44corresponding to the portion of the chamber30below the piston40. One skilled in the art will readily understand that the relative dimensions of the upper and lower portions42,44change as the piston40is vertically displaced, since the upper and lower portions42,44are defined relative to the piston40.

The piston40also has a filter46. The filter46allows for the passage of liquid and gas from above and below the filter, while preventing the passage of some solids. As such, the filter46may be embodied by any suitable permeable device which can remove the solid particles from the mixture after sufficient infusion and which allows passage of the mixture therethrough, so as to form the beverage. The filter46can also allow the passage of gasses (i.e. air) between the upper and lower portions42,44. In some configurations, the filter46can be sufficiently fine that liquid and gasses can only pass through under pressure. Some examples of suitable filters include polyester or stainless steel woven cloth, and etched metal sheet. Some examples of suitable filter materials include stainless steel, aluminum, polyester, nylon, or a combination thereof. To achieve these functions, the filter46can be positioned at any suitable location on the piston40. One example of such a location is provided inFIG. 1, where the piston40is shown as a circular head, the filter46forming a circular area which is integral with the piston40. In one possible embodiment, the filter46can be a filter assembly, which includes a filter frame onto which one or more very fine filtering components are mounted.

The piston40is configured to allow the mixture to collect in the upper portion42of the chamber30. Once the liquid and solid particles are added into the chamber30, they may contact the filter46. The filter46can form a barrier which prevents them from passing into the lower portion44, thus allowing the mixture to collect in the upper portion42, and allowing the liquid to infuse with the quality or flavour of the solid particles. Advantageously, this can allow the mixture to infuse even before the piston40has been vertically displaced, thus reducing infusing times.

The brewer system20also has a driving mechanism50which is mounted to the piston40, and which displaces the piston40within the chamber30according to an infusion cycle. The driving mechanism50drives the piston40upward and downward within the chamber30throughout the stages of the infusion cycle, as described further below, thereby allowing the mixture to agitate and to be filtered, so as to form the beverage.

One example of a driving mechanism50is provided inFIG. 3. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism50includes a piston rod52which is mounted to the piston40. The piston rod52may be embodied by any mechanical component actuating the piston40, thereby allowing it to be displaced vertically. In the illustrated embodiment the piston rod52is itself actuated by a drive motor54, which provides the motive force required to move the piston rod52. Some examples of drive motors54include suitable AC and DC motors. The cooperation of the piston rod52and the drive motor54can take many different forms. In one possible example (not shown), the piston rod52is mounted to a rotating cam, where the rotation of the cam allows the piston rod52to move upwards and downwards according to the cycle of the cam's rotation. The cam itself can be driven by the drive motor54. In another possible embodiment, and as exemplified inFIG. 3, the piston rod52is mounted to a rotatable drive screw56, which is driven by the drive motor54. As the drive motor54rotates the drive screw56, the piston rod52, and thus the piston40attached thereto, can be raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation of the drive screw56. Of course, other or additional mechanical components or devices such as shafts, screws, gears and the like may be used to transfer movement between the piston40, piston rod52and motor54and many other configurations of the driving mechanism50are possible.

In some embodiments, the driving mechanism50may also have a trigger device58mounted about the piston rod52so as to be raised and lowered with the vertical displacement of the piston rod52. In the illustrated embodiment, the raising of the trigger device58triggers the dispensing mechanism, thereby causing the release of the beverage from the chamber. The trigger device58can thus be any suitable mechanism which activates, causes, brings about, or generates the release of the beverage from the chamber. Some examples of a trigger device58, as well as its operation, are described below.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the driving mechanism50displaces the piston40within the chamber30according to an infusion cycle. The infusion cycle is the process by which the mixture is made into a beverage. Other functions of the system20can also coincide with the infusion cycle. For example, the release of the beverage from the system20can be configured to match with the movement of the piston40according to the infusion cycle. In yet another example, the wiping of spent solid particles can be timed to begin when the piston40reaches a certain point in the infusion cycle. As such, the infusion cycle can be various alternation, circuit, loop, periodicity, etc. which governs the movement of the piston40within the chamber30so as to allow the mixture to be made into a beverage, among other possible outcomes.

Referring toFIG. 1, the infusion cycle first involves displacing the piston40downward within the chamber30. Before the infusion cycle begins, the piston40can be at an initial position where it receives a suitable initial quantity of liquid and solid particles, while still being able to be downwardly displaced. One example of such a position is mid-height in the chamber30, or just above mid-height. The liquid and solid particles may be introduced in the upper portion42prior to the downward displacement of the piston40, for example while the piston is held in this initial position, or simultaneously while it is being downwardly displaced, at least partially. As the piston40is displaced downward, air from the sealed lower portion44of the chamber is forced from below the piston40through the filter46, and into the mixture of liquid and solid particles, which is in the upper portion42. The mixture is thus agitated by the incoming air, thereby helping the liquid to better infuse with the flavour or quality of the solid particles.

Referring now toFIG. 2, once at or near the bottom of the chamber30, the piston40is then displaced upward within the chamber30. This upward displacement draws the agitated mixture from the upper portion42and through the filter46. This drawing action allows the infused liquid to be separated from the spent solid particles, and the infused liquid, now forming the beverage, collects below piston40in the lower portion44, while the spent particles remain above the filter46. The infusion cycle may be repeated as much as is desired, and can also be varied. For example, the course of the vertical displacement of the piston40can be limited or extended, or its displacement speed varied, so as to shorten or lengthen infusion times. In yet another example, the infusion cycle may include a pause period, for example between the downward and upward movement of the piston40, so as to allow the liquid to infuse with the flavour or quality of the solid particles before the drawing action.

Referring toFIG. 1, and in some optional embodiments, it may be desirable to regulate the pressure within the lower portion44. For example, after the piston40is displaced upward near the end of the infusion cycle and the beverage is emptied from the lower portion44to a beverage container, the pressure within the lower portion44will be equal to atmospheric pressure. It may thus be desirable to raise or lower the pressure within the lower portion44. One example involving such pressure regulation includes the depressurization of the lower portion44prior to emptying the beverage so as to dispense the beverage quicker. Such depressurization can be achieved with an air pump22, or with a vent, vacuum or valve. In another example of pressure regulation, the pressure within the lower portion44can be increased with the air pump22so as to provide additional agitation to the mixture when the piston40is displaced downward during the first part of the infusion cycle. The air pump22can also be used to heat the chamber30.

The brewer system20also has a dispensing mechanism60, an example of which is provided inFIG. 1. The dispensing mechanism60is mounted about the outlet34of the chamber30, which permits the dispensing mechanism60to allow, or prevent, the release of the beverage out of the lower portion44of the chamber30, and thus out of the system20. In most embodiments, the dispensing mechanism60will release the mixture only once it has been made into a beverage suitable for consumption. The operation of the dispensing mechanism60may be governed by the infusion cycle, such that the vertical displacement of the piston40determines when and how the beverage will be dispensed from the system20. In other variants the dispensing mechanism may be triggered by other devices external to the displacement of the piston40.

One possible example of a dispensing mechanism60is shown inFIG. 4. In this embodiment, the dispensing mechanism60includes a spout62which is in fluid connection with the outlet34of the chamber30. The expression “fluid connection” is understood to mean that the spout62receives fluids, such as the beverage, from the outlet34, and is thus suitably connected to the outlet34. The spout62can take any suitable shape, and can be of any suitable size. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the spout62is substantially “L”-shaped, such that the beverage entering the spout62from the outlet34will be turned substantially 90 degrees before exiting the spout62. Of course, the spout62is not limited to this particular configuration. The spout62includes an intake64which receives the beverage from the outlet34. The intake64conveys the beverage to an outtake66of the spout62, from which the beverage can be directed out of the system.

The dispensing mechanism60can also include a plug68, which acts as a stop to the flow of the beverage from the chamber30to the spout62. The plug68can be alternatingly affixed to, and removed from, the intake64of the spout62. The plug68can also be mounted directly to the outlet34of the chamber30. The plug68may operate through two positions, the open position and the closed position. In the open position, the plug68is raised from its contact with the intake64and/or outlet34, which allows the beverage into the spout62, and thus allows the beverage to leave the system20. In the closed position, the plug68is in sealed contact with the intake64and/or outlet34, thus preventing the beverage from entering the spout62and allowing the beverage to collect in the lower portion44of the chamber30.

The transition of the plug68from the closed to open positions is preferably achieved by the vertical displacement of the trigger device58. An example of such a displacement is provided inFIGS. 5A to 5C. The trigger device58is shown as a collar58a,which can be mounted about the piston rod52so as to be vertically displaced along with it. As the piston rod52and the piston40are displaced vertically upward within the chamber30in the direction of the arrow indicated inFIG. 5B, thus drawing the mixture through the filter46and separating it from the spent solid particles which remain above the filter46, the collar58ais vertically displaced upward as well. Once the piston40reaches a certain trigger height, and as shown inFIG. 5C, the collar58aabuts against the spout62from underneath. In the example provided inFIG. 5C, the collar58aabuts against a rim62aof the spout62, thus raising the spout62. As the spout62is raised, the plug68is raised along with it from the floor of the chamber30, thus placing the plug68in the open position. The trigger height may be any suitable height of the piston40within the chamber30which triggers the transition of the plug68from the closed to the open position. One example of the trigger height can include the height of the piston40once it has reached the top of the chamber30(i.e. the end of the piston's40stroke). Once the collar58aabuts against the spout62from underneath, the plug68is pushed upward into the lower portion44of the chamber30, which corresponds to the open position. This creates an opening in the outlet34through which the beverage can exit the chamber30and flow into the spout60. Once the piston40begins to vertically descend, the collar58ano longer abuts against the spout62, and the plug68can return to the closed position, thus preventing the beverage from leaving the chamber30.

In some possible embodiments, the brewer system includes a wiping mechanism for wiping the spent solid particles from a top surface of the piston.FIG. 6provides one example of such a wiping mechanism70.

Once the piston40has been vertically displaced to the top of the chamber30, the spent solid particles which infused the liquid with their flavour or quality are no longer useful and thus can be disposed of. These spent solid particles may collect on a top surface48of the piston40or adjacent thereto. The wiping mechanism70disposes of these spent solid particles by wiping them from the top surface48and into a suitable collector for disposal (not shown). The wiping mechanism70may operate independently from, or along with, the infusion cycle, that is, with the movement of the piston. Other control schemes for the wiping mechanism70may however be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. In one possible configuration, the wiping mechanism70is activated immediately upon the piston40reaching the top of the chamber30. Alternatively, the wiping mechanism70can wipe the top surface48at any moment during the infusion cycle after the beverage has been extracted from the top portion.

In some embodiments, the wiping mechanism70includes a wiper72which wipes the spent solid particles from the top surface48. The wiper72can be moved along any suitable guiding mechanism, such as guide rails, so as to be able to pass over the top surface48and to return to its initial position, as many times as is necessary. The wiper72can also wipe the areas of the chamber30adjacent to the top surface48. The wiper72is in contact with the top surface48, and the force of such contact can be fixed initially and be adjusted after a certain number of uses.

The wiper72can be driven by a wiper arm74, which is connected thereto. The wiper arm74displaces the wiper72along a first direction and a second direction. In the first direction, the wiper72wipes the spent solid particles from the top surface48, and in the second direction, the wiper72returns to its initial position. Upon returning, the wiper72may also wipe any remaining spent solid particles that were not wiped during the passage of the wiper72in the first direction. When being displaced in either the first or second directions, the wiper72can dispense of the spent solid particles into a waste receptacle. Alternatively, the piston40can be lowered below the top of the chamber30so that the return of the wiper72does not soil the top surface48of the piston40. The wiper arm74can be driven by a wiper motor76, which can be any suitable electric motor. The wiper motor76moves the wiper arm74between the first and second directions. It is understood that wiper72can be displaced from any initial position so as to travel in either the first or second direction.

It is to be noted that various components of the system as described above are preferably made of substantially hardened materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, composite materials, and/or the like, depending on the particular applications for which the system is intended for, and the different parameters in cause (temperature of liquids, corrosion, filter clogging, dimensions, etc.).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for making a beverage from a mixture of liquid and infusible solid particles. The steps of method will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Some of the steps of the method may correspond to the brewer system's infusion cycle. In most embodiments of the method, the chamber is a sealed system, and the piston is a means by which the pressure within the upper and lower portions of the chamber can be equalized. Indeed, the making of the beverage results from the pressure fluctuations created in the chamber by the movement of the piston.

FIG. 9Aprovides an example of step a) of the method, where the liquid90and solid particles92are introduced into the upper portion42of the chamber30, thereby forming the mixture. The liquid90and the solid particles92can be added in any particular order. In some embodiments, the liquid90and solid particles92may be mixed to form the mixture94before being added to the chamber30. The liquid90and solid particles92collect in the upper portion42because the filter of the piston40is not permeable to the solid particles, and may only be permeable to the liquid90under pressure. Thus, step a) allows for the liquid90and solid particles92to form a mixture. The initial position of the piston40can be at any suitable height, and is preferably high enough within the chamber so that sufficient agitation can be caused by the downward displacement of the piston40, and high enough so that the introduction of the liquid and agitation of the mixture does not cause substantial splashing/spills from the top of the chamber30.

FIGS. 9B and 9Cprovide examples of step b) of the method, where the piston40is displaced downward within the chamber30. This downward displacement of the piston40reduces the volume of the lower portion44, which in a sealed system, results in the gaseous pressure of the lower portion44increasing such that it is greater than the pressure in the upper portion42. This pressurized gas (i.e. air) seeks release, and finds it by leaving the lower portion44through the filter of the piston40and into the upper portion42. As the air is forced into the upper portion42, it passes through the mixture94, thereby causing turbulence, and thus agitating the mixture94. This agitation can continue until the piston40has reached a bottom of the chamber30, as exemplified inFIG. 9C, at which point relatively little air can be forced from the lower portion44to the upper portion42. The piston40can pause at this point for an appropriate infusing period, for example a few seconds, so as to allow the agitated mixture to further infuse.

In some possible embodiments, steps a) and b) of the method are performed concurrently, that is, at the same time. As the piston40moves downward, the volume of the upper portion42increases, which advantageously allows more liquid90and/or solid particles92to be added to the upper portion42. Thus, the chamber30is able to hold more mixture94, and ultimately, produce more beverage, during a single infusion cycle.

FIG. 9Dprovides an example of step c) of the method, where the piston40is displaced upwardly within the chamber30so as to draw the beverage96from the upper portion42into the lower portion44. In most embodiments, the act of drawing the mixture94through the filter of the piston40results in the making of the beverage96because the mixture94, once it is separated from the spent solid particles92, consists of the infused liquid, and is thus ready for consumption. This upward displacement of the piston40increases the volume of the lower portion44, which in a sealed system, results in the pressure of the lower portion44decreasing to a level below the pressure of the upper portion42. The pressure differential between the upper and lower portions42,44acts as a force which pushes against the mixture94in the upper portion42, driving it through the filter and into the lower portion44. The filter of the piston40permits only the infused liquid90(i.e. the beverage96) to pass through it, while the spent solid particles92remain above the filter.

In some embodiments, and as exemplified inFIGS. 9E to 9Ithe method includes the additional step of removing the spent solid particles from above the filter when the piston40, or the top surface48of the piston40, reaches a top of the chamber30. Alternatively, the top surface48can be wiped by a wiping mechanism which descends below the level of the top of the chamber30. The wiping can be done by a wiping mechanism, such as the one described above, which can include a wiper72which wipes the top surface48of the piston40.

In some embodiments, and as exemplified inFIGS. 9E and 9F, the method includes the additional step of dispensing the beverage96from the lower portion44and into a beverage container, for example a mug or cup (not shown). This can be achieved with a dispensing mechanism, such as the one described above, which can be triggered to release the beverage96once the piston40reaches a trigger height within the chamber30.

In another possible embodiment, and as exemplified inFIGS. 10A to 10C, the method includes the additional step of cleaning the piston40, filter, and the chamber30. It is known that the build-up of residue and/or spent solid particles can affect the performance of the system. In order to address this problem, the brewing system20can be cleaned, and the frequency of such cleaning can vary.FIG. 10Aprovides an example of sub-step A) of the additional step, where a cleaning fluid98is introduced into the upper portion42of the chamber30. The cleaning fluid98can be introduced by gravity, or under pressure, and cleans both the inner surface38of the chamber30and the top surface48of the piston40. Furthermore, the sealed contact of the piston40with the inner surface32allows the piston40to sweep spent solid particles off the inner surface32as the piston40is vertically displaced. Before the cleaning fluid98is added, the piston40can be located at any suitable height within the chamber provided that the cleaning fluid98can be drawn through the filter of the piston40.

FIG. 10Bprovides an example of sub-step B), where the piston40is displaced upward within the chamber30. This upward displacement of the piston40draws the cleaning fluid98from the upper portion42, through the filter, and into the lower portion44. In so doing, the filter is cleaned by the cleaning fluid98as it passes through the filter. Furthermore, the edges of the piston40may be lubricated by the presence of cleaning fluid98on the inner surface32such that the displacement of the piston40cleans the walls of the inner surface32, and thus the interior of the chamber30. The piston40does not need to be fully upwardly displaced (i.e. does not have to complete its full stroke), and can instead be upwardly displaced only enough so that a certain volume of cleaning fluid98can pass through the filter.FIG. 10Cprovides an example of sub-step C), where the piston40is displaced downwardly within the chamber30to below a level of the cleaning fluid98. By descending below the level of the cleaning fluid98, the cleaning fluid98is forced upward from the lower portion44and through the filter, which provides a pressurized cleaning to the bottom surface of the piston40and/or filter.

The system and method for making a beverage according to described embodiments may provide advantages over other systems and methods known in the art. Advantageously, in some embodiments the movement of the piston downward so as to agitate the mixture increases the volume of the upper portion, thereby allowing additional solid particles and liquid to be added to the chamber and further increasing brewing capacity. This can thus allow for the removal of superimposed chambers known the in the art without compromising beverage output capacity. Further advantageously, the ability to agitate the mixture by displacing the piston downward may dampen the “volcano effect”, which can occur when the agitation of the mixture causes the mixture to escape from the chamber. In agitating the mixture by driving it away from the top of the chamber, a more powerful agitation for a given chamber volume can be applied.

Furthermore, in some embodiments the drive motor can control the vertical displacement of the piston rod independently of the wiper motor controlling the movement of the wiper arm. This use of independent drive and wiper motors allows for the brewing and wiping cycles to be controlled separately from each other. Therefore, as the collar of the piston rod is pushing the plug so as to release the beverage from the chamber, the wiper motor can be moving the wiper arm and the wiper across the top surface, and both such movements can be coordinated independently of each other. Alternatively, such coordination of the beverage release and wiper can be performed alone by either the driver motor or the wiper motor. Another advantage of an independent drive motor is that the agitation and drawing actions can be accelerated, decelerated, and modulated to fit the exact infusing cycle required, while not affecting any of the other functions of the brewer system. For example, such independent control allows clockwise as well as counterclockwise rotation of the drive motor. Similarly, independent operation of the wiper motor can allow for the optimization of system parameters such as wiper positioning, speed, acceleration, deceleration, and other similar parameters.

Furthermore, the cleaning of the brewer system allows for hands-off maintenance and system upkeep. Such self-cleaning may be desirable when the system is used directly by consumers.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.