US 6,095,031 · Granted 2000-08-01

Computer controlled brewing apparatus

Apparatus for brewing a beverage is disclosed. Typically, the brewed beverage is coffee, but it might be hot tea, iced tea, or soup. The beverage is brewed by delivering heated brew water to a product to be brewed by passing the heated brew water through the product to extract flavor therefrom. The brewed product is dispensed into a brewed beverage container. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, a controllable inlet valve for water entering the apparatus, and a controllable brew valve for delivery of heated brew water to the product. The inlet valve and the brew valve are under the control of the microprocessor, so that they may be opened or closed in keeping with signals sent thereto by the microprocessor. There is a control panel for the microprocessor, having a plurality of switches, each of which has a designated primary function for controlling a specific predesignated operating function of the brewing apparatus. Also, upon successful completion of a conditioning sequence of switch manipulations, each of the plurality of switches has a designated secondary function for controlling the microprocessor in setting specific operating parameters for specific predesignated operating features of the brewing apparatus. There is a timer for controlling the timing of any function requiring timing control under the control of the microprocessor; and a real time clock for permitting real time setting of any function requiring a real time setting control under the control of the microprocessor. The microprocessor may be controlled so that the specific predesignated operating functions, and the specific predesignated operating features of the brewing apparatus, may be preset for a specific type of brewing apparatus.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team