Patent Publication Number: US-2018042422-A1

Title: Automatic French Press Device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/374,219, filed Aug. 12, 2016, and entitled “Automatic French Press Device,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a device for preparing a beverage. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device for automatically preparing French press coffee. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     French press is a popular way to brew strong coffee. There are several steps involved in making French press coffee. Generally, a user must measure the coffee beans, grind the coffee beans, heat the water to boiling, add hot water, stir the brew, steep the coffee, and plunge the press. Thus, a coffee bean grinder and a kettle are needed in addition to the French press vessel in order to brew the coffee. While some individuals enjoy this traditional method of making French press, this method can be an inconvenient and time-consuming process that requires human intervention. 
     Some devices in the prior art disclose automatic coffee makers that are configured to make drip coffee and espresso on a scheduled basis. These devices generally comprise a water tank with water heated to a predetermined temperature via a water heater, a coffee filter for holding coffee grounds, and a drip valve for dispensing brewed coffee therefrom. Hot water is poured over the coffee filter and filtered (e.g., via gravity, vacuum, pressure, etc.) through the drip valve. The drip valve is positioned over a carafe or a pot so that the coffee is directly poured into the carafe or the pot. In this regard, the prior art devices do not disclose a device for brewing French press coffee that is configured to brew coffee within a French press vessel, wherein the device can automatically dispense coffee grounds and hot water directly into the French press vessel. In this regard, the invention described herein addresses this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following discloses a simplified summary of the specification in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the specification nor delineate the scope of the specification. Its sole purpose is to disclose some concepts of the specification in a simplified form as to prelude to the more detailed description that is disclosed later. 
     Disclosed herein is a device for automatic preparing French press coffee. In various embodiments, the device comprises a coffee bean grinder unit, a water heating unit, and one or more dispensers for coffee grounds and hot water, wherein the coffee bean grinder unit, the water heating unit, and the dispensers are operated via a control panel. The coffee bean grinder unit can be connected to a coffee bean container that stores whole coffee beans therein. The water heating unit can be connected to a water container that stores water therein. The control panel can comprise control buttons and/or a display screen that can comprise a touch screen for providing a user interface for receiving user input and outputting information. The dispensers are disposed over a French press vessel so as to directly dispense the coffee grounds and hot water therein. 
     In various embodiments, the device is configured to receive commands from a user in a remote location and operate via a mobile application installed on a smart phone or other handheld network-enabled electronic devices. The application provides an application user interface for controlling various settings of the French press device. For instance, the application user interface enables a user to schedule brew times, adjust the coarseness of coffee grounds, adjust the amount of coffee to brew, keep coffee warm for a predetermined amount of time, and/or so forth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of the water tank being inserted into the French press. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a transparent view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed towards an automatic French press device. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative views of the present French press device are described with references made to the above-identified figures. Various modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to disclose concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” Additionally, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” or “at least one” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , there are shown various views of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The present invention comprises an automatic French press device  100  having a housing member  102  with a defined interior volume. The housing member  102  comprises a cavity  136  on a front portion thereof for at least partially receiving a French press vessel  154  therein. The cavity  136  comprises a base member  114  that is configured to support the French press vessel  154  thereon, wherein the base member  114  is removably attached or adjustable in height to accommodate vessels  154  of various height, size, and dimension. Additionally, the base member  114  can comprise a hot plate for heating the French press vessel  154  thereon. 
     The top of the cavity  136  comprises a dispensing unit  144  for dispensing coffee grounds and water into the French press vessel  154  positioned therebelow. In various embodiments, the dispensing unit  144  can comprise a single dispensing unit for dispensing both coffee grounds and water. Alternatively, the dispensing unit  144  can comprise separate dispensers for coffee grounds and water. For example, the dispensing unit  144  can comprise a first dispenser for dispensing coffee grounds and a second dispenser for dispensing water. Preferably, the first dispenser and the second dispenser are positioned such that water and coffee grounds can be dispensed directly into the French press vessel  154  when positioned within the cavity  136  of the housing member  102 . 
     The dispensing unit  144  or the first dispenser is in fluid communication with the coffee bean grinder  118  positioned in the interior of the housing member  102 . The coffee bean grinder  118  can be disposed within a coffee bean container  124  that is configured to hold whole coffee beans therein. The coffee bean container  124  is accessible via a lid  146  that is hingedly attached at the top of the housing member  102 . The coffee bean container  124  can be removably positioned within the interior volume of the device  100 . 
     The dispensing unit  144  or the second dispenser is further in fluid communication with a water container  108  via a water pump disposed in the interior of the housing member  102 , wherein the water pump is configured to draw water from the water container  108  and expel the water through the dispensing unit  144 . The water container  108  is accessible via a lid  148  that is hingedly attached at the top of the housing member  102 . The water container  108  can be removably positioned within the interior volume of the device  100 . 
     In various embodiments, the interior volume of the device  100  can comprise multiple interior compartments  150 ,  152  for separately maintaining the water container  108  and the coffee bean container  124  therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the water container  108  is in the first interior compartment  150  and the coffee bean container  124  is in the second interior compartment  152 . The housing member  102  comprises a window  134  through which the level of water in the water container  108  is visible. The water container  108  can be operatively connected to a water heating unit disposed in the interior of the housing member  102 , whereby the water heating unit is operably connected to a water temperature control module that comprises a thermometer for monitoring the temperature of the water in the water container  108 . 
     The device  100  can be operated via a control panel that comprises a plurality of control buttons  138 ,  140 ,  142 . In various embodiments, the device  100  can be also operated via a display screen  122  that can comprise a touch screen, wherein the touch screen can comprise a user interface with virtual buttons and/or keypad for inputting user commands. The control panel and/or the display screen  122  is operably connected to the coffee bean grinder  118 , the water heating unit, and/or each the dispensing unit  144 . For example, a user can operate the coffee bean grinder  118  by adjusting the coarseness of the coffee grounds and the amount of coffee to dispense using a first button  138 . Additionally, a user can operate the water heating unit by adjusting the temperature of the water and the amount of water to dispense using a second button  140 . Moreover, a user can power the device  100  on and off using a third button  142  that can comprise a power button 
     In operation, the first dispenser is configured to dispense the coffee grounds before the second dispenser dispenses hot water. In this way, hot water is poured over to help soak the ground coffee. Dispensing the coffee grounds before dispensing the hot water also prevents the coffee from floating atop the hot water. In various embodiments, the base member  114  is configured to rotate or gyrate as the hot water is dispensed from the second dispenser, thereby moving the French press vessel  154  slightly in order to help soak the coffee grounds. In this regard, the base member  114  can be operatively connected to a motor such as a vibrating motor that can move the base member  114  without causing the French press vessel  154  to tip or topple over. Alternatively, the second dispenser is configured to dispense hot water in a spiral configuration. More specifically, the second dispenser can be operatively connected to a motor such as a rotational motor such that as the second dispenser moves in a substantially rotational movement, the water dispenses in a spiral or a ring-like pattern. Once the coffee is steeped for a predetermined amount of time, the device  100  can emit an alarm for notifying the user to press the plunger of the French press vessel to the bottom of the vessel and consume the beverage. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a block diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the invention. The housing member  102  of the French press device  100  comprises a processor  106  that is connected to an alarm unit  104 , a network interface device  120 , and a control panel  116 . The processor  106  can comprise a machine-readable medium on which is stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the methods or functions described herein. While the processor  106  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more instructions or data structures. 
     The term “non-transitory machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present subject matter, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with such instructions. The term “non-transitory machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. 
     The control panel  116  comprises a user interface for receiving user input, displaying information, and/or so forth. In various embodiments, the control panel  116  comprises buttons  138 ,  140 ,  142  ( FIG. 1 ), a display device  122  that can comprise a touch screen providing a user interface, and/or so forth. The control panel  116  is operably connected to the coffee bean grinder  118 , the water heating unit  110 , and the display device  122 . A user can adjust the settings of the coffee grinder  118  by selecting the coarseness of the coffee grounds via the control panel  116 . For instance, one or more buttons  138 ,  140 ,  142  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise a knob that can be rotated in a clockwise direction to increase the coarseness of the coffee grounds. Conversely, the knob can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to decrease the coarseness of the coffee grounds. In another example, the display device  122  can comprise a user interface that displays a menu from which the user can select the coarseness of the coffee grounds. 
     Additionally, the user can adjust the settings of the coffee grinder  118  by specifying or selecting the amount of coffee grounds to dispense depending on the amount of coffee to be brewed or the volume of the French press vessel (e.g., 4 cups, 6 cups, etc.) via the control panel  116 . For instance, one or more buttons  138 ,  140 ,  142  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise a knob that can be rotated in a clockwise direction to increase the amount of coffee grounds to dispense. Conversely, the knob can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to decrease the amount of coffee grounds to dispense. The display device  122  can also provide a user interface for displaying a menu from which the user can select the amount of the coffee grounds to dispense. In various embodiments, the device  100  can automatically suggest and display on the display device  122  the coarseness of the coffee grounds and/or the amount of coffee grounds to dispense based at least partially on the user&#39;s selection for the strength of the coffee (e.g., light, medium, or dark coffee) and/or the amount of coffee to be brewed. 
     Similarly, the user can also adjust the settings of the water heating unit  110  by selecting the temperature of the water and/or the amount of water to dispense depending on the amount of coffee to be brewed or the volume of the French press vessel via the control panel  116 . For instance, one or more buttons  138 ,  140 ,  142  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise a knob that can be rotated in a clockwise direction to increase the temperature of the water. Conversely, the knob can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to decrease the temperature of the water. The display device  122  can also provide a user interface for enabling the user to input the desired temperature, for example, via a virtual keypad on the display device  122 . Additionally, one or more buttons  138 ,  140 ,  142  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise a knob that can be rotated in a clockwise direction to increase the amount of water to dispense. Conversely, the knob can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to decrease the amount of water to dispense. The display device  122  can also provide a user interface for enabling the user to input the desired amount or volume of water to dispense, for example, via a virtual keypad on the display device  122 . In various embodiments, the device  100  can be preprogrammed such that it automatically suggests and displays on the display device  122  the temperature of the water and/or the amount of water to dispense based at least partially on the user&#39;s selection for the strength of the coffee (e.g., light, medium, or dark coffee) and/or the amount of coffee to be brewed. 
     In various embodiments, the user&#39;s settings can be saved automatically each time the settings are modified so as to allow the device  100  to dispense coffee grounds and water according to the last saved preferences. Alternatively, the device  100 , via the processor  106 , is configured to save a number of preference settings. For example, the device  100  can save preference settings for different user profiles. More specifically, the device can save a first set of preference settings for User A, and a second set of preference settings for User B. In this way, the device  100  can save preference settings for multiple users. 
     The water heating unit  110  can include a thermometer  112  or another type of sensor for detecting the temperature of the water in the water container  108  to allow the control panel  116  to automatically adjust the settings of the water heating unit  110 . Thus, the heating unit  110  is connected to a water container  108 . For example, if the thermometer  112  detects that the temperature of the water is lower than a targeted temperature or a temperature range as specified by the user&#39;s setting, the control panel  116  signals the heating unit  110  to raise the temperature of the water. Conversely, if the thermometer  112  detects that the temperature of the water is higher than the targeted temperature or the temperature range as specified by the user&#39;s setting, the control panel  116  signals the heating unit  110  to lower the temperature of the water. Additionally, the control panel  116  can signal heating unit  110  to adjust the temperature of the hot plate  114  on the base member of the device  100  to keep ground coffee and dispensed water in the French press vessel at the desired temperature until the coffee is brewed and consumed. 
     The water container  108  is connected to a water dispenser  160  via a water pump that is configured to draw water from the water container  108  and expel or force the water through the water dispenser  160 . The water dispenser  160  can be a part of the dispensing unit  144  ( FIG. 1 ) or a separate dispensing unit. The water container  108  can be removably inserted into the interior volume of the housing member  102  so that it can be readily refilled with water as needed. The coffee grinder  118  is connected to a coffee dispenser  158 . The coffee dispenser  158  can be part of the dispensing unit  144  ( FIG. 1 ) or a separate dispensing unit that can work in conjunction with the water dispenser  160 . Preferably, the coffee grinder  118  is adjacent to the coffee dispenser  158  so as to allow ground coffee from the coffee grinder  118  to be easily expelled through the coffee dispenser  158 . The coffee grinder  118  is operatively connected to a coffee bean container  124 , which can be removably inserted into the interior volume of the housing member  102  so that it can be readily refilled with coffee beans as needed. In some embodiments, the coffee grinder  118  is integral to the coffee bean container  124  so that the coffee grinder  118  and the coffee bean container  124  operate as a single unit. Said another way, at least a portion of the coffee grinder  118  can be removable together with the coffee bean container  124  and then inserted into the interior volume of the housing member  102 . In this way, the coffee grinder  118  can be cleaned and maintained with ease. 
     In various embodiments, the display device  122  can be connected to a network interface device  120  for providing a user interface from which the user can set network preference settings. For example, the user can set up Bluetooth™ connection, Wifi connection, and/or so forth. Additionally, the user can pair, via the network interface device  120 , the device  100  with a network enabled user device  128 , which includes a smart phone and other handheld electronic devices. It is contemplated that various methods can be used to pair the device  100  and the user device  128 . For example, the network interface device  120  can generate a code to input into the user device  128  to correctly identify and connect the devices. The network interface device  120  may include wireless and/or wired communication components that enable the device  100  to transmit data to and to receive data from other networked devices such as the network enabled user device  128  and to connect to a network via Bluetooth™, Wifi, and/or so forth. 
     The user device  128  comprises a downloadable or non-downloadable application  130  accessible therefrom, further wherein the application  130  is supported by an application server  132 . The application  130  can comprise a mobile application, a web application, a website, a plug-in, a browser extension, and/or so forth, depending upon embodiments. The application  130  provides an application user interface  126  that is accessible on the user device  128  for receiving user commands (e.g., user preference settings) and outputting or displaying information, such as alerts and notifications. In various embodiments, the application  130  enables the user device  128  to communicate with the control panel  116  of the device  100  in order to select water temperature, coarseness of coffee grounds, and the amount of water and/or coffee grounds to be dispensed depending upon the size of the French press vessel and the strength of the coffee brew that the user desires. Upon establishing a communication connection between the user device  128  and the device  100 , the application  130 , via the application user interface  126 , enables a user to set the amount of coffee to brew, strength of the coffee (e.g., light, medium, dark), and adjust the settings of the coffee grinder  118  and the heating unit  110 . 
     Additionally, the application  130 , via the application user interface  126 , is configured to enable the user to set a schedule so as to activate the device  100  automatically to brew coffee at a scheduled time. A user can save his or her preferences (e.g., water temperature, coarseness of coffee grounds, etc.) to facilitate the brewing process. In various embodiments, the application  130  can communicate with an alarm unit  104  that is integral to the device  100 . The alarm unit  104  is configured to detect when the water container  108  has less than a predetermined amount or volume of water and/or when the coffee bean container  124  has less than a predetermined amount of coffee beans. 
     Additionally, the alarm unit  104  can provide notifications to the user via the application user interface  126 . In this way, the alarm unit  104  can alert the user when the user needs to refill water or coffee beans, or other predetermined conditions are met (e.g., the device needs to be cleaned, water filters need to be replaced, coffee grinder needs to be cleaned, etc.). Moreover, the alarm unit  104  can provide notifications to the user via the application user interface  126  when the beverage is ready for consumption. In various embodiments, the alerts and/or notifications can be displayed on the user device  128 . Additionally, alerts and/or notifications can sound from the user device  128 . In this way, the alarm unit  104  is configured to transmit alerts and/or notifications to the user device  128  via the application user interface  126 . Alternatively, the alarm unit  104  can emit a sound from the device  100  to notify that the beverage is ready for consumption. In this regard, it is contemplated that the device  100  includes a signal outputting device such as a speaker and an alarm unit  104  that comprises a timer for measuring the steep time, wherein the steep time is adjustable via the control panel  116  and/or the application  130  depending on the user&#39;s preference settings. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.