Patent Publication Number: US-2006016346-A1

Title: Grind and brew coffee apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation application and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/340,547, filed Jan. 10, 2003, which claims priority in co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/368,182, filed Mar. 28, 2002 and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/347,266, filed Jan. 10, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a coffee making apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a coffee making apparatus that has the combined capability of both grinding and brewing coffee.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      The desirability or need for having freshly brewed coffee at home, at work, at restaurants and/or convenience store service stations, is well established. Accordingly, there have been a number of different coffee machines developed over the years that have been directed to improving or enhancing the different aspects associated with the coffee making process. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,985 is directed to an apparatus and method for providing freshly brewed coffee with a superior aroma. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,410 provides for a coffee maker that brews coffee at a desirable concentration or strength and also provides a readout of the freshness of the brew remaining in a pot. Still other examples can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,932; U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,705; U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,507 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,502.  
      None of the foregoing inventions address the need for providing convenient freshly brewed coffee using a grind and brew coffee making apparatus having a combination of features that provide optimally fresh coffee flavor/aroma with either freshly ground coffee or previously processed commercial coffee, easy efficient cleaning, and improved safety in use.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a coffee making apparatus for providing optimal flavor/aroma with either freshly ground coffee or previously processed commercial coffee.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a coffee making apparatus having an improved housing assembly.  
      It is still another object of the present invention to provide a coffee making apparatus having an improved removable grinding assembly for convenient/easy cleaning and/or filling.  
      It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coffee making apparatus having an improved removable brewing assembly for convenient/easy cleaning and/or filling.  
      It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a coffee making apparatus having an improved control assembly for improved safety and greater flexibility in use.  
      These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a coffee making apparatus with a housing assembly having an upper casing with a selectively separable top cover, an outer enclosure and a lower support base. The coffee making apparatus also has a grinding assembly with a motor, a grinding blade, a removable grinding chamber with a separable cover, and a grate for sieving coffee grinds. The coffee making apparatus further has a brewing assembly with a fluid reservoir, a removable fluid filter assembly, and a brew basket assembly. The coffee making apparatus still further has a control assembly with a safety lock mechanism and a control panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coffee making apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a housing assembly in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a sides section view of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a grinding assembly in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a brewing assembly in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is an upper side sectional view of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the grinding assembly of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged side view of a grinding chamber in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the grinding assembly of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a first side view of a filter holder in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 10  is a second side view, rotated ninety degrees from the first side view, of the filter holder of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 11  is an end view of the filter holder of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a top sectional view of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing illustrative components of the brewing assembly of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a side sectional view of the brewing assembly of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 14  is a top view of a brew basket cover in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 15  is a side sectional view of the brew basket cover of  FIG. 12 ;  
       FIG. 16  is a side sectional view of a lock mechanism in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 17  is an enlarged plan view of a control panel in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a fluid fill level indicator in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the coffee making apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , there is shown an illustrative embodiment of an improved coffee making apparatus generally represented by reference numeral  10 . Coffee making apparatus  10  is capable of either grinding and brewing coffee beans or brewing previously processed coffee grinds. Coffee making apparatus  10  has a housing assembly  20 , a grinding assembly  40  for selectively grinding coffee beans, a brewing assembly  60  for selectively brewing coffee grinds, and a control assembly  110  for controlling various operations of the coffee making apparatus.  
      Referring more particularly to  FIG. 2 , housing assembly  20  preferably has an upper casing  22  with a selectively removable or separable top cover  24 , an outer enclosure  26 , and a lower support base  28 . Preferably, top cover  24  is pivotally connected to upper casing  22  via a hinge  21  to selectively open and close, and thereby provide access to various internal components of the coffee making apparatus. Top cover  24  can also have a transparent viewing portion  23  for allowing a user to view into the coffee making apparatus as well as the grinding chamber.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , top cover  24  preferably also has a lock actuator  30  for cooperating with upper casing  22  to selectively lock the top cover in a closed position. Preferably, lock actuator  30  is mounted to top cover  24  and has a plunger  32  and a spring  34 . When in the closed position, spring  34  holds actuator  30  such that plunger  32  is in engagement with a lock stop  36  attached to upper casing  22 . When in an open position, actuator  30  is biased away from lock stop  36  such that plunger  32  is clear thereof and top cover  24  is allowed to pivotally open and/or be separated from upper casing  22 . When actuator  30  is released, spring  34  biases plunger  32  to an extended position. When top cover  24  is subsequently closed, a beveled edge  37  of plunger  32  slides along a lip  38  of lock stop  36  causing spring  34  to be compressed such that plunger  32  is biased away from the lock stop and when the beveled edge of the plunger clears the lip of the lock stop, the spring biases the plunger to its original locked position.  
      Referring again to  FIG. 2 , outer enclosure  26  is preferably a single piece of heat resistant material that provides support to upper casing  22  and provides an insulating layer for grinding assembly  40  and brewing assembly  60 . This insulating layer preferably dampens operative noise and provides better thermal efficiency. Lower support base  28  is preferably also formed of a heat resistant material and can be configured to support outer enclosure  26  as well as to selectively retain a carafe.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  7  and  8 , grinding assembly  40  has a motor  42 , at least one grinding blade  44  operatively connected to the motor, a removable grinding chamber  46  with a removable grinding chamber cover  48  and a grate  49  for sieving coffee grinds.  
      Motor  42  is preferably of any type suitable for providing sufficient rotational speed or torque to grinding blade  44  to process or grind whole coffee beans into coffee grinds. Grinding blade  44 , preferably, is mounted so as to rotate about a vertical axis. However, grinding blade  44  can also be disposed to operatively rotate about any other axis, such as a horizontal axis, suitable for effective/efficient operation in the coffee making apparatus.  
      Grinding chamber  46  is preferably made of a resilient material and is removable for easy cleaning. Further, grinding chamber  46  can have a fill-level indicator  50  for providing observable information relating to fill capacity. Grinding chamber cover  48  operates to prevent particles from being extruded from the grinding chamber during a grinding operation. Grinding chamber cover can also be fixed to the grinding chamber and have an inlet for receiving coffee beans into the grinding chamber.  
      Grinding chamber cover  48  is also selectively separable from grinding chamber  46  for more effective and efficient cleaning. Grate  49  preferably acts as a pass-through to brewing assembly  60  for grinds once they reach a desired size. Grate  49  preferably has a plurality or number of differently sized apertures  54  to facilitate the delivery of a mix of grind sizes. This can help reduce clumping and to enhance the aroma and flavor of the coffee.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  5 ,  9  through  15 , brewing assembly  60  has a fluid reservoir  62 , a removable fluid filter assembly  65 , and a brew basket assembly  80 . Preferably, brewing assembly  60  cooperates with a heater (not shown) to provide heat as required for effective brewing. The heater can be of any known type sufficient for use with coffee makers.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , fluid reservoir  62  preferably has a relatively large upper fill area  63  for efficient filling and easy cleaning. Fluid reservoir  62  preferably also has a fluid level indicator  64  for providing observable information relating to fill level. Fluid level indicator  64  preferably has a stepped construction as shown in  FIG. 18 , but can also have a variety of other forms.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 9 through 11 , filter assembly  65 , which is preferably situated in fluid reservoir  62  so as to allow fluid to circulate therethrough without impeding the brewing process, preferably, has a filter holder  66  and a replaceable filter  67 . In addition, filter assembly  65  may optionally have a filter life indicator (not shown) for providing a visual indication of the need to replace the filter. Filter holder  66  has a handle  68 , a stem  69 , and a filter compartment  70  for selectively retaining filter  67 . Handle  68  preferably has one or more gripping structures  71  to facilitate the grasping and/or handling of the filter holder. Stem  69  preferably has one or more apertures  72  disposed therein to make efficient use of fluid space in fluid reservoir  62 . Filter compartment  70  preferably has an door or entrance  73  pivotally connected to filter compartment  70  by a hinge  74 . Entrance  73  allows selective access to filter  67 . Also, entrance  73  can preferably be locked closed by one or more snaps  75  to securely retain filter  67 . It is noted that different fasteners may also be used in place of snaps  75 . Filter  67  is preferably a charcoal fluid filter. However, other filter types suitable for removing lime, bad tastes, odors and scale may also be used. Filter  67  will preferably not release any properties into the fluid and is compact so as to not take up fluid reservoir space.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , brew basket assembly  80  has a brew basket  82 , a separable brew basket cover  84 , and an access door assembly  86 . Brew basket  82  selectively retains a replaceable brew filter  83  such as, for example, a cupcake paper filter or a cupcake gold tone filter having a stainless steel mesh. Brew basket  82  also has a poppit valve  85  for facilitating the transfer of brewed coffee into a carafe  15 , shown in  FIG. 1 . The poppit valve preferably controls the flow of coffee into carafe  15  such that when the carafe is removed or displaced coffee stops flowing for a predetermined period of time or until the carafe is returned to its original position. Brew basket  82  preferably has a one-piece construction that is intuitive in use, is easily removed and/or replaced, and can be snap locked into position.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , brew basket cover  84  preferably has at least one grind inlet  88  and at least one spreader  89 . Preferably, grind inlet  88  is mounted on one or more springs  90  that, when brew basket cover  84  is installed, grind inlet  88  cooperates with grinding chamber  46  to assure that the coffee grinds are substantially confined to the passage from the grind chamber through the grind inlet to the brew basket. Spreader  89  preferably has a basin  92  for receiving a fluid. Basin  92  preferably has an array of apertures  94  for distributing the fluid, which is preferably heated, over a wide surface area of the coffee grinds in brew basket  82 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  12  and  13 , door assembly  86  preferably has a door  96  and hinge  97 , a plate  98  supported by one or more rails  87  so as to cooperate with door  96 , a latch  99 , and an actuator  100 . In addition, door assembly  86  can also have a return spring  102  and a torsion spring  104 . Preferably, door  96  and plate  98  are connected to support brew basket  82 , enable a user to selectively access and/or remove brew basket  82 . Preferably, door  96  is held in a closed position by latch  99 . If return spring  102  and torsion spring  104  are used, the return spring is positioned, as shown in  FIG. 12 , so as to be in compression when door  96  is in a closed position. When actuator  100  is operated, latch  99  is released and door  96  opens via return spring  102  decompressing to bias plate  98  outwardly a short distance. Door  96  can then be fully opened manually by rotation about hinge  97  to allow removal of the brew basket for cleaning, replacement, manually filling with grinds and the like. When actuator  100  is released, torsion spring  104  returns latch  99  to its original position and the door can be manually closed and the latch reengaged. It is noted that the use of return spring  102  and/or torsion spring  104  is optional and that the door assembly can be entirely manually opened and closed.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  17 , and  18 , control assembly  110  preferably has a safety lock mechanism  112  and a control panel  114  to provide the user with control of a variety of different operative features. Lock mechanism  112  preferably prevents the coffee making apparatus from operating unless top cover  24  and grinding chamber cover  48  are each in a proper operating position. Preferably, lock mechanism  112  has one or more switches  116  that cooperate with top cover  24  and grinding chamber cover  48 , via one or more actuators  115 , to detect the motion thereof. Accordingly, if one or more of said covers are opened and/or displaced the coffee making apparatus takes one or more safety steps. The one or more safety steps can include, for example, providing an audible warning signal, providing a visible warning signal, terminating the grind and/or brew cycle, terminating the operation of the coffee making apparatus completely, or any combinations thereof. The one or more safety steps can preferably be overridden by properly positioning and/or closing the appropriate cover or covers and restarting the operation via control panel  114 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 17 , control panel  114  preferably has a number of indicators  118  including for example, an “on” indicator, an “auto on” indicator, a “grind off” indicator, a “1-4 cup” or a small batch brew indicator, and a liquid crystal display (LCD). Control panel  114  preferably also has a number of control buttons  120 , such as for example, hour and minute buttons for a programmable real time clock, a “grind off” button, a “1-4 cup” button, an “on/off” button, and a programmable “auto on” button. Preferably, control buttons  120  cooperate with indicators  118  and a microprocessor to control the coffee making apparatus in accordance with the users desire. Other features optionally controlled via the microprocessor and control panel  114  might include a power loss back-up feature, and/or an audible ready indicator feature. Control panel  114  preferably also has an LCD display feature  119 .  
      The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined herein.