Abstract:
A beverage maker to selectively brew hot or cold beverages employs both a heating unit and a cooing unit. The heating unit heats a liquid, typically water, and uses the heated liquid to hot brew a beverage. Using any of a number of touch sensitive buttons, a coolant can enter a cold brewing unit which subjects the hot brewed beverage to cooling via a helical structure. 
     Further, there may be a resting plate for the container to receive the beverage that can be selectively cooled or heated. The end result is a quick and efficient way to brew either a hot or cold beverage.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application 62/049,517 filed on Sep. 12, 2014, the contents of which are herein fully incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0002]    The field of this invention and its embodiments relate to beverage making devices, namely beverage making devices capable of brewing a hot or cold beverage. In particular, the beverage making device uses a coolant to selectively cool a brewed beverage or permit a beverage to be brewed and remain hot. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    There are a number of ways a person can brew a hot or a cold beverage. Some beverages are preferred by most at one temperature or another, whereas other beverages such as coffee and tea have gained a large following in both their hot and cold varieties. 
         [0004]    Typically, to brew a hot beverage, such as coffee, one uses a device that heats up water which is then passed through coffee grounds placed in a filter. The coffee then emanates from the filter is collected in the collection area below the filter. In order to make iced, or chilled, coffee one typically has to use a toddy or resort to pouring hot coffee over ice. Each of these methods have distinct disadvantages when it comes to making iced beverages, especially coffee. 
         [0005]    In using a toddy, the brewing process typically takes at least twelve hours during which an extract is collected that can then be diluted. Otherwise, ice must be used with the hot beverage being poured over the ice. This, in turn, creates a more diluted beverage due to the ice (water) present in the serving vessel. Some have attempted to combat this factor of dilution by brewing the coffee used in making iced coffee twice as strong as one regularly would. However, this uses more coffee and ends up costing the patron or business more money. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for a beverage maker that can selectively brew a hot or cold beverage in an efficient and expeditious manner. It is also desirable to prevent overuse of coffee grounds or other similar substances due to dilution. The present invention and its embodiment meets and exceeds these objectives. Review of related technology: 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,152 pertains to a device that has a base that secures to the bottle&#39;s neck and has two passages that traverse the base. The first passage leads to an enclosure located above the base that holds cooling material and optionally has a conduit that improves the heat exchange between a dispensing liquid and the cooling material retained in the enclosure. The exit passage of the enclosure has in at least one embodiment a valve. The second passage through the base forms a vent line that is located entirely below the enclosure and allows air to flow into the bottle as bottle&#39;s contents are dispensed through the first passage. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,883 pertains to a beverage brewing device which includes a conventional brewing assembly, and a cooling assembly for brewing a hot beverage and then dispensing the beverage as a hot beverage or diverting it to the cooling system to dispense it as a cold beverage. A switching assembly is provided to permit the user to selectively choose between a hot beverage and cold beverage. The device also provides a novel cooling cartridge which permits the introduction of hot liquid and results in the dispensing of cold liquid from the cold cartridge. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,872 pertains to an insulated container having a low freezing temperature material such as a liquid or semi-liquid, sealed therein. A pouring funnel is provided at the upper end of the container with a spiral conduit extending from the funnel, downwardly through the liquid or material, to a discharge at the base. When frozen, a beverage can be poured into the funnel portion and flows downwardly through the conduit being cooled by the material within the container and surrounding the conduit. The liquid then discharges at the base at a relatively lower temperature. A valve can be provided in the base for controlling the retention time, if desired. 
         [0010]    U.S. Patent Application 2007/0051248 pertains to a hot and cold beverage maker for preparing a hot beverage and a beverage jug into which the hot beverage is dispensed and cooled. The jug has an outer receptacle having an outer receptacle wall and a base and an inner receptacle for receiving a cooling agent. The inner receptacle is removably located within the outer receptacle and has an inner receptacle wall together with the outer receptacle wall defining a beverage compartment for receiving the hot beverage to be cooled. A rotational paddle is located within the beverage compartment between the inner and outer receptacle walls for stirring a beverage in the beverage compartment. There may also be a rotational blade within the inner receptacle for agitating the cooling agent. 
         [0011]    Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. The present invention uses a thin, hollow double helical structure surrounded by a coolant and located below a typical brewing filter to cool a hot brewed beverage as necessary. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    A beverage maker for selectively making hot or chilled beverages is described and taught with the beverage maker having a housing with a base section and a body section, wherein the base section has a plate that can be selectively warmed or cooled; a liquid reservoir contained within the housing; a heating element contained within the housing, wherein the heating element is operably connected to the liquid reservoir; a cooling unit contained within the housing; and a brewing unit contained within the housing, wherein the brewing unit has a cold brewing attachment containing a double helical passageway. 
         [0013]    The cooling unit of the beverage maker preferably has at least a motor, a compressor, and a length of conduit. The length of conduit is hollow providing a space for coolant to be contained therein. This, combined with the motor and compressor, enables the coolant to be effectively and near continually cooled as the beverage maker is in use. 
         [0014]    By selecting a cold beverage using the touch sensitive buttons, the coolant is cooled and flows into the cold brewing unit. The cold brewing unit has a hollow double helical structure contained therein which traverses the cold brewing unit from the top to the bottom. The beverage is brewed hot but then cooled upon passing through this cold brewing unit. The resting plate can further be cooled to help maintain the temperature of and further cool the beverage. In some instances, the cold brewing unit is removable from the beverage maker. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the invention there is a method of selectively making a hot or cold beverage using a beverage maker, the method comprising the steps of: selecting at least one brewing parameter, wherein the at least one brewing parameter is a temperature of the hot or cold beverage; placing an amount of a liquid into the liquid reservoir; initiating a brewing cycle, wherein a hot brewing cycle uses hot liquid to create a hot brewed beverage, and wherein a cold brewing cycle directs a coolant into a cold brewing unit thereby chilling the hot brewed beverage as it passes therethrough, wherein the cold brewing unit has at least one aperture on a top surface and at least one aperture on a bottom surface, wherein the at least one aperture on the top surface is coupled to the at least one aperture on the bottom surface by a double helical structure capable of permitting a liquid to flow therethrough; and the beverage maker matching a temperature of a resting plate to a temperature of the beverage. 
         [0016]    In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage maker that can selectively make a hot or cold beverage. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage maker that uses a coolant to cool or chill a beverage. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage maker that increases the length the beverage travels during the brewing process thereby aiding in cooling the beverage. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage make that uses coolant to selectively cool a resting plate. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage maker that continually cycles the coolant to and from the chilling unit thereby having a near continuous flow of chilled coolant. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  a front view of the brewing unit of an embodiment of the beverage maker. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the hot/cold plate of an embodiment of the beverage maker. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the cooling unit of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the cooling unit of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded side view of an alternate cold brewing unit. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of an alternate cold brewing unit. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6C  is a sectional side view of illustrating some of the components of an alternate cold brewing unit. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of another embodiment of the present invention 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0033]    Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0034]    It should be noted, that any discussion of a hot or cold beverage should not be seen as exclusive (i.e. only either hot or cold) but can include virtually any temperature ranging from about 4° C. (40° F.) to about 93° C. (200° F.). This permits one to select and fine tune their beverage temperature preference and also provides for more efficient brewing of some beverages. For example, some teas are best brewed at a certain temperature and the beverage maker may facilitate in that process by supplying a precise temperature for the brewing process. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is a perspective view of a beverage maker  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage maker  100  generally has a housing  102  with a base section  104  and a body section  106 . The base section  102  has a resting plate  108  that can selectively be warmed or cooled. A beverage vessel or receptacle  150  such as a coffee pot, mug, or the like may be positioned on the resting plate  108  to collect the brewed beverage. The body section  106  primarily houses the remaining internal components of the present invention and provides access to those components. 
         [0035]    The upper portion of the body section  106  of the housing  102  has a door  140  with a handle  142  that provides access to the brewing unit  116  (see  FIG. 2 ). In some instances, the door  140  may slide or otherwise be manipulated to provide this interior access. On a front face of the housing  102  there is a number of touch sensitive buttons  134  and a display  136 . The touch sensitive buttons  134  control the operation and variables attributable to the beverage maker  100 . This may include, but is not limited to, a cycle starting time, a temperature of the beverage to be brewed, the type of beverage to be brewed, the size (amount) of beverage to be brewed, and the like or any combination thereof. The touch sensitive buttons  134  may be physical buttons or may be virtual buttons on a touchscreen display. 
         [0036]    The display  136  is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays a time or other variable(s) associated with the beverage maker  100 . Alternatively, like the touch sensitive buttons  134 , the display  136  may be a touchscreen display and may be capable of displaying colors, images, animations, and the like or any combination thereof. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional side view of the beverage maker  100  showing the interrelationship between all of the internal components. Here, the main areas of the beverage maker  100  are clearly visible: the brewing unit  116 , the liquid reservoir  110 /liquid transport mechanism  138 , and the cooling unit  114 . 
         [0038]    The cooling unit  114  enables the beverage maker  100  to brew a hot or cold beverage. The cooling unit  114  preferably has a motor  126 , compressor  128 , and length of conduit  130  contained therein. The length of conduit  130  is filled with a coolant  132  such as an alcohol based substance, tetrafluoroethane, and various hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or other suitably low freezing point material (i.e. freezing point below 0° C.). The length of conduit  130  is coiled and shaped to enable a length of conduit  130  longer than the cooling unit  114  to be contained therein. This thereby increases the amount of cooled coolant  132  available for use. The motor  126  and compressor  128  are used to assist in forcing warmed coolant back to its chilled state. 
         [0039]    The length of conduit  130  “enters” and “exits” the cooling unit  114  in at least two points (see  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). This permits the chilled coolant  132  to leave the cooling unit  114  and the warmed coolant to return to the cooling unit  114  to be chilled yet again. 
         [0040]    There is also a liquid reservoir  110  for holding a liquid, preferably water, to be used in a brewing process. The liquid reservoir  110  is preferably covered by a lid  152 . The liquid reservoir is operably coupled to a heating element  112 . The heating element  112  heats the liquid in the liquid reservoir  110  when a brew cycle is initiated. The heated liquid travels up the liquid transport mechanism  138  and is spread over the tea, coffee, etc. in the filter  148  to be brewed. 
         [0041]    The liquid transport mechanism  138  is configured to saturate a substance contained in a filter  148  in the brewing unit  116  with the heated liquid. The brewing unit  116  has a traditional filter brewing arrangement with the filter  148  holding some substance to be brewed into a beverage preferably using heated water. 
         [0042]    Below the filter  148 , is the cold brewing unit  122 . The cold brewing unit  122  has a top surface, bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces. In at least one of the surfaces, there is an entrance point  154  and an exit point  156 . The entrance point  154  permits the flow of coolant  132  into the cold brewing unit  122  and the exit point  156  allows coolant  132  to leave the cold brewing unit  122 . Depending on the position of both the entrance point  154  and exit point  156 , flaps, doors, or the like may be necessary to hold the coolant  132  in the cold brewing unit  122  for a length of time. Further such structures could prevent any influx of coolant  132  in the event the cold brewing unit  122  is removable or has been removed. In some instances, having a removable cold brewing unit  122  may allow the beverage maker  100  to function as a typical beverage maker. In other cases, it may allow existing beverage makers  100  to be retrofit with the cold brewing unit  122 . 
         [0043]    The interior of the cold brewing unit  122  has a double helical structure  124  providing a pathway that traverses the cold brewing unit  122  from the top surface to the bottom surface. The double helical structure  124  is a hollow set of tubing with each tubing forming a helix within the cold brewing unit  122 . There is at least one inlet(s) and at least one outlet(s) that enable a substance, preferably a liquid, to enter and exit the length of the double helical structure  124 . 
         [0044]    The double helical structure  124  is generally formed of thin tubing that may be glass, plastic, metal, rubber, or the like or any combination thereof. Preferably, the material readily permits the transfer of heat (high thermal conductivity) from the beverage to substantially cool the beverage as it passes therethrough. The tubing may have a specific diameter or a varying (narrowing) of a diameter to help restrict the flow of the liquid while exposing as much surface area of the liquid as possible to the interior surface of the tubing. 
         [0045]    As coolant  132  is cycled through the cold brewing unit  122 , it exits through the exit point  156  and travels down the coolant transport  118 . The coolant transport  118  permits the coolant  132  to travel down and under the resting plate  108  thereby providing a cooling of the resting plate  108 . This helps to further cool the beverage or prevent the beverage from warming while waiting to be served. The coolant  132  is then brought back to the cooling unit  114  to be rechilled and cycled through the beverage maker  100  as necessary. When the cold brewing unit  122  is not in use, the resting plate  108  can be heated using the heating element  112  or other heating device to perform substantially the same function with a hot beverage. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is a front view of a brewing unit  116  having a cold brewing unit  122 . The brewing unit  116  functions, initially, as a typical brewing unit. The hot liquid is delivered by the liquid transport mechanism  138 . The filter  148  containing the beverage making solids prevents any solids from being imparted into the now hot beverage. The cold brewing unit  122  has an entrance point  154  and an exit point  156 . These two points allow coolant  132  in and out of the cold brewing unit  122  as necessary for thermal regulation. The coolant  132  flows around and envelops the double helical structure  124  contained therein. 
         [0046]    On a top surface and a bottom surface of the cold brewing unit  122  there is at least one aperture per surface connecting the double helical structure  124  to the exterior of the cold brewing unit. Thus, the brewed beverage can enter the cold brewing unit and the double helical structure  124  through the aperture located in the top surface and exit at the bottom of the cold brewing unit  122  through the aperture in the bottom. As noted, there is at least one aperture and there may be multiple apertures. 
         [0047]    The double helical structure  124  maximizes heat transfer of the hot beverage to the coolant  132  thereby cooling the beverage. Depending on the temperature selected for the beverage, this may involve automatically and/or intermittently stopping the flow (blocking the exit) of the hot beverage from leaving the cold brewing unit  122  thereby increasing the retention time of the beverage, changing the temperature of the coolant  132  (See  FIG. 2 ), and controlling the rate of flow of the coolant  132 , or any combination thereof. The coolant  132  eventually leaves the cold brewing unit  122  via the exit point  156  and travels down the coolant transport  118  to the resting plate  108  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , there is the base  104  of the housing  102  (see  FIG. 1 ). The resting plate  108  is generally centrally located thereon. The resting plate  108  may be operably connected to a heating element, as previously described or a separate heating element, thereby helping to maintain the temperature of a hotly brewed beverage. Additionally, there is an extension of the coolant transport  118  that travels underneath of the resting plate  108 . This, alternatively, can help to further chill and prevent a cold beverage from warming. In some instances, there are removable rings  111  which may allow the receptacle (see  FIG. 1 ) to come in direct contact with the coolant transport  118  to achieve maximum temperature retention in the brewed beverage. 
         [0049]    In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , there is a side view and a front view shown, respectively, of the cooling unit  114 . The cooling unit  114  generally has a motor  126 , compressor  128 , and length of conduit  130  having a coolant  132  contained therein. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the cooling unit  114  functions similar to a refrigerator. The motor  126  drives the compressor  128  which compresses the coolant  132  in its gaseous form to a liquid state. Heat given off by this process may be dissipated by fans, heat release slits, heat sinks, and the like or any combination thereof. There may be a valve (not shown) located at a point where the conduit  130  exits the cooling unit  114  on its way to the cold brewing unit  122  (see  FIG. 3 ). Once the compressed liquid moves past this valve, it becomes a gas one again thereby cooling the surrounding area via the phase change and then being recycled by the beverage maker. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, there is a low temperature liquid which flows through the conduit  132  and acts as the coolant  132 . In this instance, the cooling unit  114  acts as a refrigeration unit for the conduit  130  and thereby the coolant  132  contained therein. The coolant  132  flows throughout the transport system and cold brewing unit  122  thereby chilling the beverage as necessary. There may be an insulative measure required to be added to the cooling unit  114  to retain the temperature of the cooling unit  114  without it disturbing the function of the beverage maker as a whole. 
         [0052]    Preferably, the conduit  130  is coiled numerous times in the cooling unit  114  to increase the amount of coolant  132  contained in the system. The coils, or any other configuration, may be arranged in a number of fashions depending on the exact specifications of the cooling unit  114 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , there is a coolant exit  144  and a coolant return  146  whereby the coolant  132  leaves and returns to the cooling unit  114 . 
         [0054]    In order use the beverage maker  100  as described in  FIGS. 1-5B , one must first ensure there is a proper power supply for the beverage maker  100  which may be any suitable supply including electrical, batteries, solar, and the like or any combination thereof. At least one brewing parameter should be chosen using the touch sensitive buttons  134 . The brewing parameter(s) can be any number of variables but should preferably at least include a desired temperature for the beverage to be brewed. 
         [0055]    Once the brewing parameters have been determined, a liquid, preferably water, should be placed in the liquid reservoir  110  if this has not already been done or if there is not adequate liquid for brewing. The brew cycle can then be initiated. If the beverage to be brewed is a hot beverage, or a beverage which requires no cooling, then the cooling unit and cold brewing unit  122  are not used. However, if such a beverage will require some degree of cooling both are used and may require a preparatory stage before the beverage can begin to be brewed. 
         [0056]    The beverage is then brewed according to the proper protocols. Once the beverage has been brewed, the resting plate is maintained at the proper temperature by the use of the coolant or a heating element. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-C , there is an alternate cold brewing unit capable of being used in accordance with the present invention. The cold brewing unit  122  may generally comprise a core  172 , heat sink  160 , entrance  164 , exit  158 , insulative material  158 , tubing  162 , and a pathway  166 . 
         [0058]    The core  172  may be comprised of a metal or composite or other material selected for its thermal conductive properties. In some embodiments, the core  172  may be comprised of aluminum. The core  172  may be round or another shape to accommodate the pathway  166  or beverage maker specifications. The core  172  preferably has an aperture extending there through containing a plurality of heat sinks  160 . The heat sink(s)  160  may be comprised from the same or a different material(s) than the remaining mass of the core  172 . The heat sinks  160  are generally blade shaped protrusions emanating from an inner wall of the core  172 . Alternatively, the heat sinks  160  may bear other shapes or may be located in varying locations around the core  172 . As conventionally understood, the heat sinks  160  serve to dissipate heat from the core  172  when the apparatus is in use thereby resulting in greater efficacy of the cold brewing unit  122 . 
         [0059]    The core  172  has a pathway  166  embedded therein as shown in  FIG. 6C . The pathway  166  has at least an entrance  164  and an exit  158  via which the brewed beverage will travel during the cooling process. In some instances, multiple entrances and exits may be used for multiple pathways to increase the rate of flow and decrease the overall brewing time. The entrance  164  and exit  158  may both protrude from the core  172  whereas the remaining sections of the pathway  166  are embedded as shown in  FIG. 6A . The pathway  166  may be helical in nature or may comprise a double helix or other type of pathway including but not limited to irregularly or patterned pathways that utilize the core  172  for cooling the beverage as it passes therethrough. The core  172  may be surrounded by a conduit of tubing  162  that contains a coolant such as Freon but may also be gases such as hydrogen, liquids such as oils, glycols, refrigerants, and the like. In other embodiments, the tubing  162  may be embedded in the core  172  similar to that of the pathway  166 . In the particular embodiment shown, the tubing  162  could be interspersed in the coils of the pathway  166  with its own entrance and exit point. In other embodiments, the tubing  162  could be contained within the mass of the core  172  but on the inside, outside, or inside/outside of the pathway  166 . 
         [0060]    Further, an insulative material  158  may be utilized to help keep the cold brewing unit  122  cold during the brewing process and protect it from any external heat source. The insulative material  158  may be those materials known in the art such as Styrofoam, fiberglass, cellulose, and the like. The insulative material  158  may cover at least part of the core  172  and in some embodiments will sufficiently cover the entire core  172 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention useful for brewing both hot and cold beverages such as coffees, teas, and the like. Generally, there is a cold brewing unit  122 , entrance  164 , exit  166 , receptacle  150 , liquid transport mechanism  138 , liquid reservoir  110 , lid  152 , conduit  130 , coolant  132 , heating unit  112 , motor  126 , compressor  128 , and thermostat  170 . Varying configurations of these components and others may also exist incorporating the cold brewing unit technology and other technologies not explicitly described herein. 
         [0062]    The cold brewing unit  122  may be removable or may be a permanent component of the beverage maker. In practice, a user may add a liquid such as water to the liquid reservoir  110  of the beverage maker. The liquid heats up via the heating element  112  and is dispersed over the beverage making material (tea leaves, coffee grounds, etc.) to be brewed. The user can select to turn on or off the cold brewing unit  122  which functions to turn on/off the motor  126 , compressor  128 , and thermostat  170 . This can be done before or after the brewing process has started. 
         [0063]    Once activated, the motor  126  and compressor  128  serve to chill the coolant  132  contained within the conduit  130 , and the thermostat ensures the proper temperatures are met and maintained throughout the brewing process or whenever the cold brewing unit  122  is activated by a user. The conduit  130  feeds into the tubing  162  thereby providing cool temperatures to the core  172 . The temperature of the coolant causes the core  172  to reach substantially the same temperature within its insulative coating  158  (see  FIG. 6A ). The brewed beverage enters the entrance  164  and travels down the pathway  166  through the core  172 . The beverage then leaves the core  172  and cold brewing unit  122  as a whole via the exit  168 . The beverage is now considerably colder than when initially brewed, making for a non-diluted and satisfyingly cold brewed beverage. In trial studies run using this technology, the cooled beverage ranged from about 60 degrees to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the hot brewed beverage was about 170 degrees Fahrenheit. 
         [0064]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.