Abstract:
An apparatus includes a tank for holding the diluent and a dispensing assembly. A pump is disposed in fluid communication with the tank and the dispensing assembly for supplying pressurized diluent to the dispensing assembly. An enclosure is provided having a sealable chamber for containing a concentrate container in fluid communication with the dispending assembly. An air pump pressurizes the sealable chamber and concentrate container to pressurize the liquid concentrate and supply the pressurized liquid concentrate to the dispensing assembly. The dispenser assembly is operable to permit and inhibit the flow of pressurized liquid concentrate and pressurized diluent to produce the beverage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/911,918 filed Apr. 16, 2007, entitled “Apparatus And Methods For Producing a Beverage From Liquid Concentrate”, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing beverages, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods for producing beverages from liquid concentrate. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many beverages have been produced from concentrate including fruit juices, coffee, and tea. However, the production of coffee and tea from concentrate has been limited substantially to commercial devices that are expensive and cumbersome for home or office usage. 
         [0004]    An example of a beverage apparatus that produces beverages from two liquid components is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,020 issued to Bardeau. The beverage apparatus in Bardeau includes a spring for raising a carton containing the concentrate to control the flow rate of the concentrate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,505 to Cornelius discloses a coffee dispensing machine which utilizes a carbonated coffee concentrate. Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,069 issued to Burke et al. discloses adding water, either manually or automatically, to a beverage concentrate. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,048 issued to Stover discloses initially brewing a concentrate, specifically from tea leaves, to produce a concentrate. The concentrate is then diluted to an acceptable strength and temperature by the timed addition of water. U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,035 issued to Gorski et al. discloses using a dry concentrate for dispensing a food or beverage. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,496 issued to Paoloni discloses a method for producing concentrate and then using such concentrate for producing coffee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,719 issued to Triola et al. discloses a coffee maker using liquid coffee concentrate and a plunger to deliver the concentrate. 
         [0007]    Vitality Foodservice, Inc. of Tampa, Florida offers dispensers for coffee and hot beverages. The device includes a solenoid valve for controlling discharge of water from a water tank to an open channel. Disposed above the open channel is a control valve for controlling discharge of concentrate into the water in the channel. The resulting beverage is then discharged. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0000851 by Girard et al. discloses a liquid concentrate/extract beverage dispenser with a replaceable concentrate/extract cartridge. The dispenser includes a housing having a dispensing area. A pump or a control valve is in communication with a source of diluent which is to be dispensed into the dispensing area. A cartridge receiving area and a dispensing actuator are located in the housing. A concentrate/extract cartridge is removably insertable into the cartridge receiving area in a position to be actuated by the dispensing actuator, the concentrate/extract cartridge being adapted to hold a beverage concentrate/extract and includes a dispensing aperture for dispensing a beverage concentrate/extract into the dispensing area upon placement of the concentrate/extract cartridge in the cartridge receiving area. A controller is located in the housing to control the actuator to discharge concentrate/extract into the dispensing area. 
         [0009]    Aroma Housewares Company of San Diego, Calif. manufactures a Hot Water Pump Pot, model number AAP-325F, which is an electric kettle that heats up water for instant coffee or soup without a stove or hot plate, and features an automatic dispensing button and a safety lock. 
         [0010]    There is a need for further apparatus and methods for producing a beverage from liquid concentrate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides, in a first aspect, an apparatus for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate in a concentrate container and a diluent. The apparatus includes a tank for holding the diluent, and a dispensing assembly. A pump is provided in fluid communication with the tank and the dispensing assembly for supplying pressurized diluent to the dispensing assembly. An enclosure is provided having a sealable chamber for containing a concentrate container in fluid communication with the dispending assembly. An air pump pressurizes the sealable chamber and concentrate container to pressurize the liquid concentrate and supply the pressurized liquid concentrate to the dispensing assembly. The dispenser assembly is operable to permit and inhibit the flow of pressurized liquid concentrate and pressurized diluent to produce the beverage. 
         [0012]    The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a method for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and a diluent. The method includes providing a tank having the diluent, sealing a concentrate container containing the liquid concentrate in an airtight enclosure, pressurizing air in the airtight enclosure and around the concentrate container, pressurizing the diluent, transferring pressurized diluent and pressurized liquid concentrate to a dispensing assembly, and selectively permitting and inhibiting the flow of pressurized liquid concentrate and pressurized diluent from the dispensing assembly to produce the beverage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The present invention, however, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus for producing a beverage from liquid concentrate and a diluent in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side elevations view, partially cut away, showing portions of the interior of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, side elevational view, partially cutaway, of the dispenser assembly of  FIG. 1  shown in the configuration for dispensing the beverage; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the liquid concentrate metering valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the cleaning valve of  FIG. 1  for cleaning the liquid concentrate conduit when the liquid concentrate bag is empty; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, side elevational view, partially cutaway, of the dispenser assembly of  FIG. 1  shown in the configuration for cleaning the concentrate conduit; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram of the electrical components of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  is shown for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and a diluent. In this embodiment apparatus  10  may produce coffee from heated water and liquid coffee concentrate. From the present description, it will also be appreciated that tea, soup, and other beverages may be produced using apparatus  10 . 
         [0023]    Generally, apparatus  10  includes a housing  20 , a lid  22  shown in a closed or lowered position, a base  50  for containing a liquid concentrate bag, and a dispensing assembly  200 . The lid is hinged at the back, and the front may be rotated upwardly to gain access into the housing. For example, a user may raise the lid to pour water into the housing. In addition, the housing may include a level indicator  24  for indicating the level of the liquid such as water in the apparatus. Electrical power may be supplied by an electical cord  26  which may include a plug for conntecting the cord to an eletical outlet such as a 120-vole alternating current outlet in a home of office. A power on/off switch  28  allows a user to turn on and off electrical power to apparatus  10 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top of apparatus  10  may include an indicator  30  such as a green light for indicating when the liquid such as water in the apparatus is heated to the desired temperature. An electrical push button  32  may be provided which when pressed discharges the beverage from the dispensing assembly  200 . In addition, electrical push button  32  when pressed may allow for cleaning the liquid concentrate tube and portion of the dispensing valve as described in greater detail below. 
         [0025]    With reference again to  FIG. 1 , dispensing assembly  200  may include an adjustable liquid concentrate metering valve  120 , a cleaning valve  140  for allowing a liquid concentrate conduit to be cleaned, and a dispensing outlet  160 . 
         [0026]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , disposed within apparatus  10  is a container or tank  40  such as a stainless steel container for receiving water. A heating element  42  such as a heating band may be disposed around the bottom of the container for heating the water to an elevated temperate. For example, the water may be heated to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit to about 190 degrees Fahrenheit, or higher. A water pump  45  is provided for pumping water from container  40  through a conduit  46  to dispensing assembly  200 . 
         [0027]    An enclosure or base  50  may include a hinged door  52  which when opened allows access to a chamber  60 . A gasket may be provided which when door  52  is closed creates sealed chamber  60 . Disposed in chamber  60  is a concentrate container or flexible bag  70  that collapses as concentrate is consumed as described below. The flexible bag  70  is inexpensive and once emptied may be readily disposed, and as descried below, may be used for cleaning the liquid concentrate tube and other portions of the apparatus. The liquid concentrate bag may be a Raypac bag having a fitting which connects to a concentrate conduit  84  via mating connectors  80  and  82 . Both the connectors may have a check valve which when the two are connected, the check valves are disposed in an open position. When the two are separated, both check valves are closed. 
         [0028]    Also disposed in base  50  in is an air pump  100 . The air pump may be connected to a tube  102  for supplying pressurized air to chamber  60 . The air pump  100  provides a low positive pressure in sealed chamber  60 , of about 0.5 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 15 psi, and desirably about 2 psi to about 10 psi, around flexible bag  70 . The air pump may be operably connected to the electrical power supply to pressurize the air surrounding the flexible bag  41  when the water is at the desired temperature. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured so that upon initially turning on the apparatus, the air pump is activated to pressurize the air surrounding the flexible bag. Pressurized liquid concentrate travels via concentrate conduit  84  from flexible bag  70  to dispensing assembly  200 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, side elevational view, partially cutaway, of dispensing assembly  200 . Dispenser assembly  200  includes a housing  210 , a solenoid valve  220  having a stopper  222  which may be operably connected to dispensing push button  32  ( FIG. 2 ), a reservoir  230  for receiving liquid concentrate from conduit, a first passageway  240  for receiving liquid concentrate metering valve  120 , and a second passageway  250  for receiving cleaning valve  140  for cleaning liquid concentrate conduit  84 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  further illustrates liquid concentrate metering valve  120  which may include a cylindrical portion  122  having enlarged knob  124  and two O-rings  126  and  128 . Disposed between the O-rings is a passageway  125 . With reference again to  FIG. 4 , valve  120  may be disposed so that passageway  125  is aligned with passageways  260  and  262  in dispenser housing  120 . Upon rotating knob  124 , passageway  125  will be moved out of alignment with passageways  260  and  262  thereby reducing the flow of liquid concentrate through metering valve  120  and reducing the strength of the resulting beverage compared to when passageway  125  is aligned with passageways  260  and  262 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  further illustrates valve  140  for cleaning the liquid concentrate conduit which may include a cylindrical portion  142  having enlarged knob  144 , and two O-rings  146  and  148 . Disposed between the O-rings is a cutout  145 . With reference again to  FIG. 4 , valve  140  is disposed so that cutout  145  is aligned with passageways  270  and  272  in dispenser housing  200  to allow the combination of water and liquid concentrate to flow to dispensing outlet  212 . When flexible bag  70  is empty of liquid concentrate, rotating knob  144  may be rotated so that cutout  145  is moved out of alignment with passageways  270  and  272 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , thereby blocking the flow of fluid to dispensing outlet  212 . Upon pressing discharge button  32  and with the water pressure in conduit  46  having a greater pressure than the pressure in conduit  46  (the air pump may remain on or may be operably shut off), water will be made to travel through metering valve  120 , through reservoir  230 , conduit  84 , and into flexible bag  70  ( FIG. 3 ) which flexible bag  70  may then be disposed. For example, the cleaning of the liquid concentrate reservoir  230  and conduit  84  may take about a few seconds to a minute. 
         [0032]    In addition, it is noted that bending or changing of the directions of the conduit  270  and  272 , and including valve  140 , aids in mixing of the two components for producing the beverage. 
         [0033]    While the described apparatus  10  is typically filled with water by a user using, for example, a pot or other container, it will be appreciated that the apparatus may be operably connected to a water supply line (such as from a water supply in a home or building). For example, a suitable fill valve maybe located in the supply line and a suitable float valve may be located in the container. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a schematic electrical diagram of the electrical circuit in apparatus  10  may include an illuminated on/off rocker switch  28  operably attached to a source of electrical power, e.g., a one-hundred-ten volt alternating current outlet in a home or building. With the switch  28  turned on, a light  325  is turned on and illuminates a red actuator  324  to alert the user that power is being supplied to the apparatus. In the “on” position and if sufficient water is in the water tank, electrical power is supplied to an electric circuit  340  comprising a thermo button or temperature sensor  339  and a heating element  42  such as a heating band. The temperature sensor  339  may be attached directly to the water tank ( FIG. 3 ) to measure the temperature of the water. If the water is cold, the temperature sensor  339  allows electrical current to be supplied to the heating element  42 . When temperature sensor  339  detects the water getting too hot, it cuts off the current to the heating element. When the water cools down, the temperature sensor turns the heater back on. By cycling on and off, the temperature sensor keeps the coil at an even temperature to heat the water in the tank. For safety in the event that the temperature sensor  339  fails, one or more thermal fuses may be employed to cut power if the thermal fuses sense the heat in reaching too high a temperature. When the desired temperature of the water is achieved as detected by a second thermal button or temperature sensor  351 , an indicator  30  such as a green light is illuminated to alert a user that the water is at the desired temperature for making the beverage. If the water temperature drops, for example when pouring in more water, the light  350  would go out and remain out until the water returns to the desired temperature. As described earlier, the apparatus may include a heating element, however, a cooling element for producing cold beverages may be suitably employed. 
         [0035]    In operation, when a beverage is desired, dispensing button  32  may be pressed, which operably supplies electric power to water pump  45  and activates solenoid  220  to allow discharge of liquid concentrate as described above. Both the water and liquid concentrate may be made to flow at constant rates. An added benefit due to the positive pressure is that the flexible bag  70  will completely empty, e.g., there will be little if any concentrate left in the flexible bag. 
         [0036]    In addition, by closing the strength valve ( FIG. 4 ), no liquid concentrate will be delivered from the dispenser outlet so as to provide only hot water where a heating element is employed or cold water where a cooling element is employed. 
         [0037]    The various features of the Aroma Hot Water Pump Pot model number AAP-325F may be employed and incorporated into the present invention. Additional features disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/145,720, filed Jun. 6, 2005, entitled “An Apparatus For Producing A Beverage” and International Patent Application PCT/US06/00238 published as WO 2006/083473 may be incorporated into the present invention. The entire subject matter of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, to reduce the risk of shock to a user, a relay or relay board may be employed to control a reduced electrical supply to activate the solenoid for controlling the discharge of liquid concentrate, the air pump, and/or the water pump. In addition, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention may include connecting the apparatus to a supply of water such as in a home or building, and also providing multiple dispensing heads (such as 4 dispensing heads). Each of the dispensing heads may further be configured to provide for dispensing hot water or unheated water, i.e., employing a plurality of solenoids and suitable relays. Unheated water may be used in combination with a supply of liquid tea concentrate. Ice cubes can be added to the resulting beverage to produce iced tea. 
         [0039]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.