Abstract:
A brewer, system, and method of use for producing and dispensing a beverage. The apparatus, system, and method of use includes a receiver for receiving a brewing substance container. The receiver receives the container, positions it for infusion with heated water, and then positions the container for removal from the receiver. The present apparatus, system, and method minimizes the drive mechanisms associated with the apparatus and improves the control and reliability of the apparatus. The apparatus facilitates collection and dispensing of beverage produced in the receiver and removal of the brewing substance container from the receiver.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. nationalization under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2009/042359, filed Apr. 30, 2009, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/049,189, filed Apr. 30, 2008. The disclosures set forth in the referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, including all information as originally submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of beverage brewing apparatus have been developed for use in infusing a beverage brewing substance with water to produce a beverage. Examples of beverage brewing substance include coffee, tea, herbs, botanicals, as well as variety of other substances. Traditionally, brewing has been accomplished by dispensing heated water over the beverage brewing substance to infuse the substance retained in a substance holding filter or basket and then draining the brewed beverage from the substance. 
     A variety of packaged brewing substances have been available for use in an apparatus which infuses the packaged brewing substance. The brewing substance package is often referred to as a “pod” or sachet. A pod brewing apparatus is used to brew using a prepackaged pod often include a brewing chamber which retains the pod. The brewing chamber communicates with a water delivery system which delivers heated water to the chamber for infusing the substance retained in the pod. An exit or drain communicates with the chamber to allow beverage to drain from the chamber. 
     A variety of manually loaded and cleared pod brewers have been developed. Such brewers include a drawer, holder, or other apparatus which forms part of the brewing chamber. In using one of the pod brewing apparatus, a user places a pod in the drawer. The drawer is engaged with the brewer to close the brewing chamber. A brew cycle is activated whereupon heated water is dispensed into the closed chamber for brewing. 
     On of the problems that may arise with such a system is that the previous user may not remove their pod from the brewing apparatus. As a result, the pod may be a nuisance to remove, may transfer flavors to the drawer, or if left unattended for a significant period of time, may dry out or otherwise become undesirable. This problem is exacerbated in settings in which the pod brewer is used by a group of people such as in an office coffee dispensing setting. 
     As such, it would desirable to include a pod brewing apparatus which includes a mechanism for removing the pod from the chamber at the conclusion of a brewing cycle. It would also be desirable to provide a simplified pod brewer which can automatically close the chamber during or in preparation for a brewing cycle and then remove the pod from the chamber at the conclusion of the brewing cycle. It would also be desirable to provide a bin or other container to allow for accumulation of multiple spent pods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage brewing apparatus or brewer of the present disclosure showing a front perspective view of the brewer; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of brewer as shown in  FIG. 1  in which a cup riser has been extended from an opening in the housing of the brewer; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the brewer as shown in  FIG. 1 , the cross-section being taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  showing a pod receiver positioned relative to a water delivery head of a water delivery system and a drive assembly coupled to the pod receiver for displacing the pod receiver through a path of travel for receiving the pod, infusing the pod and mechanically displacing the pod from the pod receiver; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial fragmentary portion of the cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 3  showing an enlarged view of the pod receiver, links associated with the drive assembly, a drive motor coupled to a drive link which is coupled to the pod receiver, and a cover pivotally retained on the housing for acting against a face surface of the pod receiver during the travel of the pod receiver; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the brewer similar to that as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and in which an access door on a front face of the brewer has been opened by action of the pod receiver for receipt of a pod in a cavity in the pod receiver; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5  showing the relative position and operation of various components of the brewer; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the pod receiver as shown in  FIG. 6  along with the drive assembly and various components when the pod receiver is positioned extending from the housing of the brewer; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view similar to that as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6  in which the pod receiver has been rotated by operation of the drive assembly to rotate yet retain the pod receiver in an orientation for dumping a pod out of the cavity in the pod receiver by operation of a lower portion or foot of a strainer stem carried on the pod receiver when the foot contacts a stop surface associated with the brewer, and the action of which causes a mechanical, unassisted shifting of the stem in the receiver; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged partial fragmentary view similar to that as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of the receiver  70  portion of the beverage maker  20 , a spring loaded flange  400  is retained in the mechanism and provides an alternate embodiment of a stop surface which is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6 - 9  for acting on a retainer displaceably carried in the receiver  70 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the flange which includes a first end, a second end, and an enlarged contact area; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 10  showing operation of the retainer against the flange for providing disengagement of a pod from the receiver; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a collection chamber formed by a bowl and cover which is positioned below the receiver for collecting beverage dispensed from the receiver and directing it for dispensing to a container, and including a gutter structure for collecting drips from the spray head and diverting the drip liquids to a tube which drains to the spent pod collection bin; and 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the collection chamber taken along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a collection chamber formed by a bowl and cover which is positioned below the receiver for collecting beverage dispensed form the receiver and directing it for dispensing to a contain. 
     
    
    
     While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary embodiment, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations using its general principles. It is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as recited in the following claims. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a beverage maker or brewer  20  is shown defined by housing  24  having a front  26 , sides  28 ,  30  and a rear  32 . The front includes an access area  34 . The front also includes a control panel or user interface  36 , a dispensing area  38 , and an access door  40 . The brewer as shown is a type that receives a pod, sachet, capsule, cartridge or other prepackaged beverage making container containing a beverage making substance for mixing with heated water to dispense a beverage. 
     It should be noted that the present disclosure will refer to a “pod” throughout the remainder of the description. However, it is intended that the term pod is to be broadly interpreted to include any type of prepackaged beverage making container. The teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to prepackaged beverage brewing substance containers as well as loose brewing substance. While pod is generally referred to, any form of pod, sachet, capsule, cartridge, bag or other container which might be used in a brewing system and removed there from at the end of a brewing cycle is incorporated without limitation. All variations that are currently known or subsequently developed for such an application are included. 
     It should be noted that the present disclosure may refer to a coffee in reference to beverage making substance throughout the remainder of the description in the interest of clarity and simplicity. However, it will be understood that any form of beverage making substance may be used to produce a beverage and the term coffee is intended to be broadly interpreted. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to, beverage substances such as ground coffee, tea, herbs, botanicals, liquid beverage concentrate, ground, pulverized, rough cut, whole, powdered beverage concentrate, flaked, granular, freeze dried or other forms of materials including liquid, gel, crystal or obtain a desired beverage or other food product or any other forms of beverage substance or food products. Terms including beverage, brewed, brewing, brewing substance, brewed liquid, and brewed beverage as may be used herein are intended to be broadly defined as including, but not limited to, the brewing of coffee, tea and any other beverages. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to any process of dispensing, infusing, steeping, reconstituting, diluting, dissolving, saturating or passing a liquid through or otherwise mixing or combining a beverage substance with a liquid such as water without limitation to the temperature of such liquid unless specified. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 2 , a cup riser  44  is provided. The cup riser includes a handle  46  which is retractable in a recess  48  in the housings. The body portion  50  of the riser is positionable in and extractable from an opening  52  in the housing. The riser provides elevation for a cup  54  which can be placed thereon. Placing the cup on the riser allows the cup to be positioned closer to an outlet  58  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view is shown as taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 . In this view, the riser  44  is retracted into the opening  52 . A removable drip tray  60  is provided in a lower portion of the housing  24 . 
     Behind the access door  40  is a pod receiver  70  which is coupled to a drive assembly  72  and a water delivery system  74 . In use, a pod  76  (see  FIG. 8 ) is positioned in a cavity  80  of the pod receiver  70 . In the brewing position as shown in  FIG. 3 , the pod receiver  70  is positioned proximate to a fixed position water delivery head or spray head  84  which is part of the water delivery system  74 . A face  86  of the pod receiver  70  is engaged by an expandable seal  88  carried on the water delivery head  84 . As such, water  90  delivered from the water delivery system  74  flows through the head  84  to infuse the pod retained in the cavity  80  of the pod receiver  70 . 
     Water entering the chamber  92  defined by the cavity  80  and the space related to the head  84 . Water in the chamber  92  during a brewing cycle helps to expand the seal  88  and provide a relatively tight seal between the head  84  and the pod receiver  70 . Water that infuses the pod  76  results in the beverage which drains through a drain hole  98  in a bottom portion  100  of the pod receiver  70 . A foraminous bottom or base  102  is positioned between the pod and the drain hole  98  to allow beverage to accumulate in the bottom portion  100  of the receiver  70 . A laminating structure or laminator  104  extends through the drain  98  to help direct the flow downwardly through the drain  98  to the mouth  272  of a collection chamber  106  and out the corresponding dispensing passage  58 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the laminating structure  104  is generally in the shape of a blade to help create a less turbulent flow exiting the drain  98 . The laminator  104  extends a distance beyond the receiver  70  to help enhance the laminating or columnating effect. An enlarged foot or retaining portion  110  is provided at an end of the laminator  104  distal from the base  102  of the retainer  110  helps to retain the base in cooperation with the pod receiver  70 . However, the retainer  110  is sized and dimensioned to allow it to be removed upon the application of sufficient force thereto, without the use of tools to remove and reattach the laminator  104  and attached base  102 . Removal of the base allows for cleaning of the receiver  70  as well as the base  102 . While it is not necessary to remove the base  102  after every use, it may be advisable to clean it from time to time to prevent the accumulation of sediments and oils. 
     The drive assembly  72  includes a drive motor  200  which is coupled to a controller  210 . The motor  200  has a shaft  212  which is coupled to a driver link  214 . An end of the drive link  214  distal from the drive shaft  212  is rotatably attached to a hinge knuckle  218  carried on the pod receiver  70 . The driven end  220  of the drive link  214  attached to the shaft  212  and rotates with the shaft so that rotation of the shaft  212  translates into rotary motion of the drive link  214 . Rotary motion of the drive link  214  translates into movement of the pod receiver  70  in a generally arcuate path of travel with a generally forward most position shown in  FIG. 6 , moving to a brewing position as shown in  FIG. 3  and to a dumping position as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     A support link  224  is similarly attached to a hinge knuckle  226  on the pod receiver  70 . A pinned end  230  of the support link  224  is attached to the structure of the brewer. As such, the support link  224  rotates relative to a pivot point  232  on the brewer at the pinned end  230  in relation to movement provided by the drive motor  200 . The support link  224  provides a follower motion to support the opposite end of the pod receiver  70  during the movement of the pod receiver by the drive motor  200  under control of the controller  210 . 
     The use of a single drive motor  200  and multiple links  214 ,  224  coupled to the pod receiver  70  helps to reduce the number of motors associated with this system. Further, the links  214 ,  224  are provided in pairs such that a pair of drive links  214  are coupled to the motor  200  and a pair of supporting links  224  support the opposite end of the pod receiver  70 . As a result, links attached to four generally spaced apart corners of the pod receiver  70  provide generally consistent, precise, and reliable motion of the pod receiver  70  through the various stages or phases of the brewing cycle. 
     The brewer includes a controller which is coupled to a sensor  261  positioned relative to a rotating disc  259 . The disc  259  is keyed to the motor  200  and rotates with the motor. The disc  259  includes a series gaps, namely a large gap  265 , a single gap  267 , and a pair of gaps  263 ,  269  or double gap. The gaps correspond to various positions to be sensed by the sensor  261  to detect the various positions of the receiver or phases of a brewing cycle. The double gap  263 ,  269  corresponds to the brew position in which the receiver is positioned to receive water. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the pod receiver  70  is shown in the rear most or dumping stage of travel through a brewing cycle. When the motor  200  operates the drive links  214  in a clockwise motion (relative to the illustrations provided) the rotary motion is limited by contact of the retainer  110  against a stop surface  240  of the brewer. Since the retainer  110  stops the motion of travel the motor senses the limitation on movement and reverses motion. Prior to reversing motion, the contacting of the retainer  110  against the stop surface  240  causes the laminator  104  to translate through the drain  98 . This unassisted, mechanical contact causes the base  102 , attached to the laminator  104  to rise through the cavity  80  towards the face  86  of the pod retainer  70 . As a result, the base  102  tends to lift, disengage, or otherwise loosen the pod  76  from the cavity  80 . The rotation of the pod receiver  70  and movement of the base  102  causes clearance of the pod  76  which drops into a pod collection bin  250 . Multiple spent pods can accumulate in the bin  250  for subsequent removal. 
     As the motor rotates the drive link  214  in a counter clockwise direction, the pod receiver  70  is lifted towards the water delivery head  84 . Prior to reaching the head  84  the pod receiver encounters a cover  260 . The cover  260  is pivotally retained on the brewer at pivot point  262 . A leading edge  264  of the cover  260  tends to move across the face  86  of the pod receiver. This motion of the cover  260  across the face  86  in combination with the movement of the base  102  interferes with a pod retained in the receiver and helps assure removal and discharge of the pod  76  from the cavity  80  to the bin. The receiver  70  returns to the brewing position ( FIG. 3 ) ready for a command to start a new brew cycle. 
     The disclosed system  20  includes an assembly  300  for removal of beverage making substance  76  from the receiver  70 . The assembly  300  includes at least the structures and interaction of the structures associated with the receiver  70  and the controllably coupled drive assembly  72  as well as all equivalents thereof. The assembly  300  may include the cover  260  and all equivalents thereof to aid in and further assure the removal of the pod  76  from the receiver  70 . 
     In use, an operator approaches the brewer  20 . The control panel  36 , coupled to the controller  210 , includes at least one control which operates the brewer to indicate to the controller  210  to advance the receiver  70  towards the front  26  of the brewer  20 . Movement of the receiver  70  towards the access door  40  causes the access door to move forward thereby opening the access passage  270 . The receiver  70  is positioned for receipt of a pod in the cavity  80  thereof. The user places a pod in the cavity  80 . As noted above, any form of brewing container could be used with this system. The receiver  70  and the corresponding cavity  80  may be modified for various forms of container, however in each situation the receiver  70  can receive a container for infusing with water. 
     Once the pod is placed in the cavity the user can operate the control panel  36  to cause the drive motor  200  to drive the drive link  214  in a clockwise direction. This causes the receiver  70  to be retracted into the access opening  70 . The access doors  40  is spring loaded in a closed position and as such follows the controlled movement of the receiver  70 . As the receiver moves inwardly towards the head  84  the laminator  104  follows a path of travel towards the generally vertically oriented collection chamber  106 . The collection chamber  106  includes a bowl portion  107  and an upper portion  109 . An aperture or mouth  272  of the upper portion  109  is positioned axially aligned below the tip of the laminator  104  to collect beverage dispensed from the receiver after brewing. The chamber  106  allows beverage to collect and be directed downwardly into a container positioned there below. A sloped surface  287  is axially aligned below the mouth  272  and angled towards the aperture  58 . The chamber  106  is removable and can be disassembled for cleaning. The close proximity of the tip of the laminator  104  and the aperture  272  provides a smooth transition between the tip  104  and the collection chamber  106 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the receiver  70  holding the pod  76  is infused with water flowing from the water delivery system  74  includes a heated water reservoir or tank  276 , a water delivery line  278  extending from the heated water reservoir extending from the heated water reservoir to the head  84 . A variety of water delivery systems  74  can be configured to work with the brewer of the disclosed system. Movement of the water to and through the reservoir  276  can be by means of pressurized flow into the reservoir, pumping action in addition to flow through the reservoir, as well as a variety of other presently known or hereafter developed water delivery systems. It is envisioned that all the water delivery systems are within the scope of the present disclosure and incorporated herein. 
     Water flowing through water  90  flowing from the head  84  through the pod  76  drains through the base  102  and out through the drain  98 . Beverage flowing through the drain  98  is directed by the laminator  104  through the passage tube  106  and into the cup  54  positioned under the outlet  58  of the tube  106 . 
     At the conclusion of the infusion portion of the brewing cycle the motor  200  controlled by the controller  210  continues a clockwise rotation movement relative to the illustrations to move the drive link  214  towards the cover  260 . Continued rotation of the drive link  214  pulls the receiver  70  towards the bin  250 . Continued movement results in the retainer  110  contacting the stop surface  240 , mechanically and without assistance causing the base  102  to mechanically translate within the cavity  80  of the receiver  70 . Relative position of the receiver  70  in combination with the movement of the base  102  generally should reliably remove the pod  76  from the receiver  70 . Nevertheless, the cover  260  is provided to move across the face  86  of the receiver  70  to help assure that any pods  76  which might accidentally and unintentionally cling to the receiver  70  are removed from the receiver and disposed in the bin  250 . 
       FIGS. 10-12  provide an alternate embodiment of structures used for the removal of pods  76  from the cavity  80  of the receiver  70 . As shown in the Figures, the alternate embodiment includes a biased flange  400  which takes the place of the stop surface  240  as shown in the prior Figures. The biased flange  400  acts against the retainer  110  to maintain a biased force  450  against the tip of the retainer  110 . The combination of a pivotal force  470  on the cover  260  providing a generally scraping force  490  along the base  102  and the spring force  450  by the flange  400  help to assure that any pod  76  which has been displaced from the cavity  80  is removed therefrom. Use of these structures helps to assure that a spent pod is not presented to the user at the beginning of the next brew cycle. 
     In use, as the receiver is rotated towards the disposal bin, the receiver slides under the cover  260 . As it moves downwardly, the tip  110  of the laminator  104  encounters the contact area  430  of the flange  400 . The flange is biased or spring loaded by means of a spring  432  attached to a second end  420  to bias it normally in the upward direction providing an upward force  450 . The combination of the upward force  450  and contact with the contact area  430  causes the laminator  104  to become unseated from the drain  98 . The force translates into an upward movement of the laminator  104  to displace the base  102  upwardly out of the cavity  80 . This causes the pod  76  retained therein to become dislodged from the cavity  80  and fall into the waste bin  250 . 
     The flange  400  is attached to structures of the beverage maker at two locations including the first end  410  and second end  420 . At least one of the ends, as noted above, is biased or spring loaded by use of a spring  432 . As the receiver  70  returns to the pod receiving location at the end of a brew cycle the contact area  430  tends to maintain a biasing force  450  against the laminator  104  until the edge  264  of the cover  260  has cleared the opposing knuckle  218 . 
     After a period of time the accumulated pods can be removed by removal of the bin  250  from the housing. The bin can then be dumped and replaced for continued use. A bin sensor can be provided to detect the level of accumulated pods in the bin. This can cause a response on a display panel  280  of the control panel  36 . Such a display would cause the user to check the bin and remove the accumulated pods. Such a sensor could also be used to lock out the machine and prevent operation until the bin is emptied and then reset once emptied. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12-14 , the collection chamber  106  includes a drip gutter or collection rim  273  formed generally extending around the perimeter of the upper portion  109 . The rim  273  drains into a drain opening  275  which is connected to a passage or tube  277 . The tube  277  is directed downwardly into the bin to allow drips of water to fall onto the outside surface  279  of the upper portion cover  109  and into the rim  273 . This collection of drips  281  generally falling from the spray head  84  allows the drips to be collected and prevents them from otherwise flowing into unintended areas of the machine. 
     The collection chamber  106  is fitted into a machine in an interference, snap fit, or maybe retained by one or more fasteners. This allows a base  283  of the chamber  106  to be fitted into the bottom portion of the machine. Similarly, the bowl portion  107  and upper portion  109  slide or otherwise fit together or are assembled and can be easily disassembled for cleaning purposes. The enlarged cavity  285  defined within the bowl  107  and upper portion allows the stream flowing from the tip of the laminator  104  to be recollected. The stream tends to disassociate after it passes through the opening  272 . The enlarged cavity  285  allows a volume of beverage to accumulate in the bowl  107  collecting on the sloped surface  287  and draining through the opening  58 .