MXPA94008215A - Automatic brewer - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus (20), which includes a brew chamber (24) has an inlet (34) and an outlet (41) and a water distribution system (30) associated therewith, a filter assembly (164) being disposed in the brew chamber (24). An opening (147) is formed through the filter assembly (164) for communicating with the outlet (41) of the brew chamber (24). A piston assembly (26) is disposed in the brew chamber (24) including a spool (58) and a device (28) for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool (58) is disposed in the brew chamber (24) with a head (122) thereof controllably movable in the inlet (34) and a base (125) thereof controllably movable in the outlet (41) for controllably opening and plugging the inlet (34) and outlet (41). The apparatus is capable of producing large quantified of a desired brewed beverage, multiple substance dispensers (22) being provided to selectively combine a variety of substances to produce a desired brewed be verage. Heated water is conserved by provided a control valve (82c) on the inlet line (78) at the lower portion of the heated water reservoir (76).

Description

AUTOMATIC PERCOLADOR ^ fc \ The gentlemen ARTHÜR R. BUNN, JAMES H. ANSON AND DAVID F.

FORD, of North American nationality, domiciled respectively at 1601 Illemore Avenue, City of Springfield; # 3 Edgewood Knolls, City of Auburn; and 1313 Ivyton Dr., City of Springfield, all in the State of Illinois, United States of America, inventors, cede, sell and transfer to BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION, North American society, with address at 1400 Stevenson Drive, City of Springfield , State of Illinois, all rights to the invention described below: SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic beverage percolating apparatus (20) including a percolating chamber (24) having an inlet (34) and an outlet ( 41) and a water distribution system (30) associated with the percolating chamber (20) for introducing percolating water and washing water there by dragging. A filter assembly (164) is arranged in the percolating chamber (24). An opening (147) is formed through the filter assembly (164) to communicate with the outlet (41) of the percolating chamber (24). A flushing water jet (172) is associated with the water distribution system (30) and is centrally placed in the percolating chamber (24) to rinse the interior surfaces of the percolating chamber (24). A piston assembly (26) disposed in the percolating chamber (24) includes a reel (58) and a device (28) for controllably moving the reel in axial and rotary directions. The spool (58) includes a head (122), a # base (125) and an elbowed portion (127) extending between the head (122) and the base (125). The spool (58) is arranged in the percolating chamber (24) with the movable head (122) in controllable form at the inlet (34) and the mobile base (125) in a controllable way at the outlet (41) to open and controllably closing the inlet (34) and the outlet (41). A door (178) is formed through an outer surface of the spool (58) between the head (122) and the elbow portion (127). The door (178) is associated with the flushing water jet to supply flushing water. The invention also provides an apparatus and method for producing large quantities of a desired percolate beverage. Multiple substances dispensers (22) are provided to selectively combine a variety of substances to produce a desired percolate beverage. The hot water is preserved by the present invention by providing a control valve (82c) in the inlet line (78) in the lower portion of the hot water tank (76). CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. patent application. Serial No. 07 / 946,960, filed September 17, 1992, which is a continuation-in-part of the US patent application. Serial No. 07 / 818,850, filed January 10, 1992, which is a continuation-in-part of the US patent application. Serial No. 07 / 683,285, # filed on April 10, 1991, granted August 4, 1992, as a US patent. No. 5,134,925. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to an improved beverage percolating device, which automates many of the stages involved in a beverage percolating operation. Automatic percolating devices are known in the art but have not overcome many of the problems associated with these devices. For example, the patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,633,771 issued to Anderl, shows an automatic percolation device that incorporates a mobile piston to regulate the percolation cycle. The piston as illustrated by Anderl is moved axially by a rod that moves by a motor. The rod is advanced or retracted based on its coupling with a rotating cam disk. A problem arises with the JÉ »Anderl device, since the notches of the cam disk tend to cause inadequate percolation if they are coated or clogged with foreign matter. Strange matter probably accumulates on the disk due to the environment in which it operates, which includes fines and powder from the beverage percolation surface, as well as high humidity from the percolation process. Another problem with the device as illustrated by Anderl is that it is difficult to keep the percolatchamber clean and to leak out the spent percolatsubstance. Anderl shows only a se spray head that proves to be inefficient and is not complete to flush the spent percolation substance from the percolate chamber. Another automatic percolatdevice is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,737 granted to Wittlr. The device as illustrated by ittlr is similar in its operation to the Anderl device, but does not provide improvements that solve Anderl's problems. Instead, the ittlr device shows improvements to the filter assembly as used in the percolatchamber. Another problem with the known automatic percolatdevices is that they are capable of percolatonly small amounts of beverage. The devices illustrated in the references cited herein, indicate percolatsmall amounts of beverage such as from a se service or a se carafe. Typical assembly of the structure of the percolatapparatus provides a space below a supply spout that is sufficient to accommodate a predetermined bottle size. This space can also accommodate a se service, since a container of a se service will have smaller dimensions than a multi-service carafe. However, large capacity remote tanks with capacities of 3,785 - 7.57 liters (1 - 2 gallons) are unable to receive percolated beverage due to the dimensions of these tanks that are proportional to accommodate large volumes.

It would be convenient to provide an automatic beverage percolating device that is capable of selectively delivering a large gamma of percolated beverage amounts to an appropriately sized container. For example, it is convenient to be able to percolate a single cup as well as a carafe as well as a large capacity volume (3,785 to 7.57 liters (1 to 2 gallons)) of percolated drinks, using the same automatic percolating device. However, it is not convenient to provide a beverage percolating device that has a * Single spout that will accommodate the larger size as this arrangement can result in a beverage percolating device that does not provide clean and accurate percolated beverage to smaller capacity containers. Another problem that arises with automatic beverage percolators is that although they are generally automatic, they nevertheless require periodic cleaning. Periodic cleaning includes the removal of a filter assembly disposed in a lower portion of the percolating chamber. The filter assembly is used to support a percolated substance for infusion during a percolate cycle and to separate a percolated beverage that is created during the percolate cycle. A problem is encountered in cleaning filter assemblies from the prior art when the piston assembly includes a spool having an enlarged head. A smaller portion of the movable spool extends through the discharge, with the enlarged head extending movably through an inlet in an upper portion of the percolating chamber. A door used to supply wash water by dragging is placed below the head between the head and a portion of reduced diameter of the spool. The lower portion of the spool is surrounded by a filter assembly having an opening through which the lower portion of the spool projects. Since the lower portion of the reel has a smaller diameter than the enlarged head, the filter assembly can not be installed or removed by placing it on the enlarged head. As such, separation of the filter assembly in these devices typically requires separation of the piston assembly. Another problem with prior automatic percolation devices is that once the percolated substance becomes saturated during the percolating process it sinks to the bottom of the percolating chamber. As the percolated beverage is discharged from the percolated substance, the wet percolated substance can form cake and seal the openings in the filter material. At the end of the percolation cycle, the percolating chamber is flushed, typically with a water spray, to remove the spent percolating substance. However, since the percolating substance can form cake in the filter material in the discharged percolating chamber, the rinse water spray does not completely wash the spent percolating substance out of the percolating chamber. Instead, a portion of the spent substance remains in the percolating chamber in the filter material.

The remaining substance inhibits percolated beverage flow through # of the filter material and in this way reduces the efficiency of the percolator. In addition, depending on the time between the percolating cycles, the percolating substance remaining in the filter material can be stripped and the flavor of the next service of the beverage to be percolated degraded. Additionally, another problem with the automatic percolating devices present is that the mechanism for supplying a percolating substance in the percolating chamber is imprecise. One way of controllably supplying a percolating substance in the percolating chamber is by means of a worm screw in a hopper. The worm is placed in the bottom of a hopper in operative association with an opening in the hopper through which the percolating substance moves. However, these endless screw mounts, they are often imprecise and tend to supply too much Wk percolated substance. OBJECTIVES AND COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION A general objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage percolating device that allows a wide range of percolating capacities. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage percolating device that provides means for selectively supplying percolated drinks to a large volume container, independent of the means for delivering percolated beverage to containers of more than one. # small volume. Another general objective of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic beverage percolation device that completely and efficiently removes spent beverage percolation substances from a percolating chamber at the end of a percolate cycle. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage percolation device that * allows separation of a filter assembly without having to remove or disassemble the piston assembly. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage percolating device having an enlarged discharge opening. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser of percolating substances, in combination with the present invention, which supplies a high amount of percolating substance. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage percolating apparatus that flushes a beverage percolating substance from a receiving funnel to ensure complete use of the fresh beverage percolating substance and complete cleaning of the components of the beverage apparatus. percolado of drinks.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a preliminary flotation of the beverage percolating substance before percolate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage percolating apparatus for automatically percolating beverages, which distributes in a generally homogeneous form percolating water on a beverage percolating substance to more fully and efficiently extract a percolated beverage therefrom. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a floating phase of a cleaning cycle to remove the percolating substance from the filter material. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage percolating apparatus for automatically percolating beverages, which completely removes the spent beverage percolating substance from a percolating chamber when using a spray head mounted on a reel member, which extends through the percolating chamber thereby completely removing the spent percolating substance from all parts of the percolating chamber. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage percolating apparatus, for automatically brewing beverages including a rotatable piston and a spray head mounted thereon to rotationally spray and remove the beverage percolating substance from the chamber. of percolated Briefly and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention comprises an automatic percolating apparatus, for automatically percolating beverages such as coffee. The apparatus includes a percolating chamber assembly through a throat in an upper portion, a discharge in a lower portion and an intermediate positioned filter. A movable piston assembly is provided for controllably opening and closing the throat and discharging during percolation and flushing cycles. A separate discharge line directs the percolated beverage from the percolating chamber to a receiving vessel. A valve is provided on the discharge line to control the filling of the percolating chamber, to controllably deliver a percolated beverage from the percolating chamber, and to prevent trawl washing water from flowing through a supply branch of the percolating chamber. the download line. At the start of the percolating cycle, the piston moves down to open the throat, to allow the introduction of a percolating substance into the chamber. A pressurized water line flushes the throat through which the percolated substance is introduced into the percolating chamber. Additionally, water is introduced through a water distribution manifold to accelerate the initial partial filling of the percolating chamber. Initially the water introduced into the chamber is used to make the percolating substance float, which allows saturation and infusion of the percolating substance. The piston moves upwardly so that it discharges the throat during the infusion stage. After sufficient infusion time, the discharge valve and the discharge line, which are normally de-energized, are energized to open a pathway through the supply branch to direct the flow of percolated beverage into a collection vessel. The discharge valve is also energized to close the path to the discharge manifold. After dispensing the percolated beverage, the discharge valve is placed to close both supply and discharge paths. After the brewing cycle is complete, a wash cycle begins to wash the spent percolate out of the brewing chamber. The valve in the discharge line blocks the discharge line to retain water in the percolating chamber to float the spent percolating substance in order to separate it by flotation of the filter material. When the percolated substance floats, the piston moves upwards to discharge the flotation water and the spent percolation substance that is being dragged. Next, the piston moves down to close the discharge and water is introduced through a spray opening in the piston. The piston rotates rapidly to spray down the sides of the chamber and create a vortex movement in the water that has accumulated in the chamber. At a predetermined time, the piston moves to open the discharge and flushes the whirlpool water from the chamber while the piston continues to rotate. The piston assembly includes a spool having a head, a base and an elbow portion extending between the head and the base. The reel is arranged in the percolating chamber assembly, with the moving head in controllable form through the throat and the movable base in controllable form through the discharge. The reel opens in a controllable way and seals the throat and discharge. The filter assembly has a through-formed opening through which the base of the spool projects. The head and the base of the spool have an external dimension that is less than or substantially equal to an internal dimension of the aperture formed through the filter assembly, with the head having an external dimension that is smaller than or substantially equal to that of the aperture formed by the filter assembly. equal to an external dimension of the base. The size and dimension of the head and base allow the filter assembly to be installed or removed on the reel, without separating the spool from the percolating chamber assembly. The percolating apparatus is programmable to control: the pre-fill water level, the infusion time, the percolate temperature, the percolating water volume used and the amount of percolated beverage. The percolating chamber can be subjected to pressure during the percolation process.

The apparatus also includes a percolating substance dispenser which is controlled to deliver an accurate predetermined amount of percolate substance. The invention also provides a structure and method for producing large quantities of a desired percolate beverage. Multi-substance dispensers are provided to selectively combine a variety of substances to produce a desired percolate beverage. Heated water is conserved by the present invention by providing a control valve in the & entry line in the lower portion of the hot water tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The organization and form of the structure and operation of the invention, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof, can be understood by reference to the following description, which is taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,? B in where like reference numbers identify like elements where: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a beverage brewing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevational, transverse, partial fragmentary view of a percolating chamber assembly of the beverage percolating apparatus; Figure 3 is a side elevation view in partial fragmentary cross section of the camera assembly of a *. percolated as illustrated in Figure 2, after a < ^ Piston assembly projecting through, moving axially downward from an inlet throat and illustrating a beverage percolating substance disposed there through a funnel member and introducing preliminary fill water to rinse the funnel and make initially float the percolating substance in the percolating chamber; Figure 4 is a side elevational view in partial fragmentary transverse section of the percolating chamber assembly, after the piston assembly is moved axially upward to seal the inlet throat and illustrating percolate water circulating to the chamber percolated to form infusion of the percolated substance there disposed; Figure 5 is a side elevational view in partial fragmentary cross-section of the percolating chamber assembly after the piston assembly is moved axially F upwards and further illustrating rotary movement of the piston assembly spraying the interior of the percolating chamber , to give exhausted spent percolation substance; Figure 6 is a general hydraulic schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 7 is a partial fragmentary lateral cross-sectional view of a reel employed in the present invention, extending through an aperture formed through a first mount, a discharge formed through a bottom portion of the percolating chamber and a throat that is formed through an upper portion of the percolating chamber assembly; Figure 8 is a first alternate embodiment of the piston mounting spool; Figure 9 is a second alternate embodiment of the spool of the piston assembly of the present invention; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a beverage percolating device, which is connected by means of providing a beverage path to a remote beverage container; Figure 11 is a plan view of the device as illustrated in Figure 10, wherein the device for beverage percolation is connected to the remote beverage container; and Figure 12 is a left side view of the beverage percolating device as illustrated in Figure F. 10, wherein a hose of the beverage path means is connected to a first end and a second end of the device for percolado of drinks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY While the invention may be susceptible to modality in various forms, it is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail., a specific embodiment in the understanding that the present description will be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. Now with reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the Figures, an automatic beverage percolator or percolator apparatus 20 is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1. The percolator 20 includes an assembly of hopper 22, a percolating chamber assembly 24, a piston assembly 26 (as best illustrated in Figures 2 to 5), a pulse assembly or apparatus 28, a water distribution system 30 and a control system 32. As illustrated in Figure 1, the hopper assembly 22 includes a hopper container 34 and worm gear 38 shifted with motor 36 held there. A percolating substance such as coffee is disposed within the hopper container 34 and is stored there for controlled delivery to the percolating chamber assembly 24. While the word "coffee" may be employed herein with respect to the beverage percolating substance, it will be clear that percolating substances other than coffee can be employed in the present invention. In addition, although the hopper assembly 22 is illustrated, a milling apparatus (not shown) may be added to supply a predetermined quantity of freshly ground coffee or other beverage percolating substance to the percolating chamber assembly 24.

The percolating chamber assembly 24 includes a housing member 40 which is retained between an upper chamber assembly 42 and a chamber bottom assembly 44. The housing member 40 is generally a cylindrical member formed of a material suitable for supporting the temperature, humidity and other conditions present during the percolation process. As illustrated, here, the housing assembly 40 is formed of a suitable transparent material such as glass, to allow inspection of the percolating chamber assembly 24 without disassembly. As can be seen in Figure 1, the piston assembly 26 projects upward through a discharge orifice 41, the chamber bottom assembly 44, the housing member 40, and through a throat inlet 43 in the upper mounting chamber 42. A percolating chamber 45 is defined by the inner surface of the housing member 40, when the upper and bottom chamber assemblies 42, 44 are connected. A funnel portion 46 is mounted in the uppermost portion of the upper chamber assembly 42 having top and bottom openings 47a, 47b coaxial with the entrance throat 43 and is reinforced by the support members 48 extending from their sides . A spray manifold assembly 50 is positioned between the funnel portion 46 and the housing member 40. The bottom mount of the chamber 44 includes a filter assembly 52 and a discharge body 54. With further reference to FIGS. to 7, the filter assembly 52 helps separate a percolated beverage 53, which is created during the percolate process from the percolate substance that is infused with water 53a. A discharge line 55 extends from the filter assembly 52 to a pair of discharge valves 55a, 55e, which are controllable to direct flow through a supply line 55b, through a waste line 55c, to prevent flow through any of the lines 55b, 55c, or to direct flow through a large discharge line 226. The supply line 55b provides a percolated beverage 53 that is collected from the percolate chamber to a container 57. The waste line 55c supplies waste water to the waste collector 63. The depleted sediments are transported through an exhaust pipe 59 and deposited in the waste collector 63 below. The other controllable valve 55e is placed on the discharge line 55 as discussed above. The controllable valve 55e is connected to the control system or means for selectively controlling 32 via line 222. The controllable valve 55e controllably directs flow from the discharge line 55 to the large quantity discharge line 226. When the controllable valves 55a, 55e are controlled to supply flow from the discharge line 55 to the supply line 55b, the controllable valve 55e is closed and the controllable valve 55a is opened. When the flow through the discharge line 55 is controlled by the controllable valves 55a, 55e, to circulate through the large quantity line 226, the flow * leaves the percolating apparatus for delivery to a remote beverage container 236 (See Figures 10 to 12). Various aspects of the structure and function of remote percolation capabilities will be discussed in further detail below. The discharge valve 55a includes a separate solenoid valve for the supply line 55b and the waste line 55c. The solenoids in the valve 55a are normally de-energized with the path to the waste line 55c open to allow discharge to the waste manifold 63 and the path to the supply line 55b is closed. The valve 55a is selectively energized to open the supply line 55b and close the waste line 55c, or to close both lines 55b, 55c. The controllable valve 55e includes a solenoid valve similar to the discharge valve 55a, for controllably directing flow through the large discharge line 226. The solenoid from the controllable valve 55e is normally de-energized such that the valve closes. In this condition, the path to the large quantity discharge line 226 is closed. The controllable valve 55e is selectively energized to open the large discharge line 226. The valve 55e controls the line 226 and the valve 55a controls the path of the line 55b. The solenoid valves 55e and 55a are controlled to prevent both paths or tracks 226, 55b, respectively, from being opened at the same time. Further details regarding the remote beverage supply characteristics of the present invention will be presented below. As indicated above, the piston assembly 26 projects upward through the bottom of the percolating chamber assembly 24 onto a central axis 56 extending through. Included in the piston assembly 26 is a spool portion 58 generally positioned within the housing member 40, and a rod portion 60 connected to and extending downwardly from the spool portion 58. The impulse assembly 28 includes a screw of advance 62 which is connected to the rod portion 60 of the piston assembly 26 to operatively connect the pulse apparatus 28 with the piston assembly 26. A motor 64 associated with the pulse apparatus 28 moves the gears 65 to rotate and move axially the feed screw 62 and the connected piston assembly. The motor 64 is preferably a DC motor that can be inverted to flip the direction of rotation and stroke of the piston assembly 26. While various shapes of the gears 65 can be employed to guide the lead screw 62, the pulse assemblies 65 as illustrated, include a driving gear 66 coupled with an operating gear 68, both of these gears 66, 68 co-actively engage cylindrical straight gear gears and an acme nut 70 connected to a fixed mounting member 72. The fastening nut acme 70 the mounting member 72 retains the acme nut 70 in a fixed position relative to the drive gear 66 to produce movement in the lead screw 62. Threads 74 of the lead screw 62 cooperatively couple threads formed within the acme nut 70. The operating gear 68 is fixed non-rotatably to the feed screw 62, such that when the driving gear 66 is rotated, the operating gear ivo 68 is rotated in this manner by rotating the feed screw 62. As the feed screw 62 is rotated, it threadedly moves through the acme nut 70 resulting in axial displacement of the piston assembly 26 through the percolating chamber assembly. 24. Further, since the operating gear 68 is fixed to the feed screw 62, the piston assembly 26 also rotates as it moves axially through the percolating chamber assembly 24. A hot water tank 76 and an inlet line of cold water 78 supplies water to the water distribution system 30. The hot water tank 76 has a sealed lid 76a to withstand or withstand the inlet water pressure from the inlet line 78. Water circulating from the hot water tank 76 and the cold water inlet line 78 are controlled by a respective percolated water solenoid valve 80, a rinsing water solenoid valve 82a, and a valve for lava water. do by drag 82b. Water flowing to the reservoir 76 through the reservoir filling line 88, is rapidly heated as it passes over a heating element 93, which is located near the point where the reservoir filling line enters reservoir 76. A regulator pressure 90c regulates the line pressure in the inlet line 78, such that the water flowing to the reservoir filling line 88 and a flushing water line 90 is at a predetermined pressure. A flow control valve 82d in the percolating water line 86 is placed between the reservoir 76 and the percolating water valve 80, to control the flow rate of water through the percolating water line 86. The percolating water valve 80 controls the water circulating from the hot water tank 26 that is circulated by water that is introduced into the water. reservoir 26 displacing the heated water there, this displaced water circulates through a percolating line 86. The percolating water line 86 provides percolation water to the multiple dew assembly 50 which then homogeneously distributes the percolation water onto the percolate substance. percolado de bebidas 53a. The flushing water line 90 supplies water to the piston assembly 26 which in this way introduces water to the percolating chamber 45 to flush the spent beverage percolating substance from the percolating chamber 45. The water line of Rinsing 84 emits a controlled amount of water heated under pressure to the funnel portion 46, to rinse any beverage percolating substance 53a from inside the funnel 46 and into the percolating chamber 24. The automatic beverage percolator 20 is controlled by the control system 32. The control system 32 includes a central controller 96 that coordinates the control signals between the and components of the percolator 20 over numerous control lines. The control lines are diagrammatically illustrated as simple lines but may include lines of multiple cables depending on the requirements of the particular component. The apparatus, as described herein, can be adjusted to percolate a range of percolated beverage amounts and can be adjusted to supply a larger or smaller amount of the beverage to a carafe or other container, not illustrated, from which the beverage can subsequently be supplied. drink. Additionally, the controller 96 is programmable to control: the level of pre-filled water that is supplied in the percolate chamber; the period of time during which the infused percolate substance is infused; the temperature of the percolation water; the volume of percolate water that is employed by a predetermiamount of percolate and the volume of percolate that is provided through the supply line. The hopper assembly 22 includes the hopper motor 36 which is regulated by the controller 96 on the line 106, a hopper container 34, and the worm 38, which extends through the hopper container 34 and travels through the hopper 34. the motor 36. The hopper motor 36 is controlled by a triac and a microprocessor (not shown) of known construction. The microprocessor activates and deactivates the triac to control the hopper motor 36. The microprocessor applies 120 VAC to the motor 36, when the motor 36 is going to operate to move the screw 38 to supply a quantity of percolating substance to the chamber. Percolated 24. To stop the motor 36, the microprocessor determines when the waveform through the motor 36 is of one polarity. When the polarity is detected, the microprocessor activates the triac only when the AC waveform is of the same polarity. For example, the microprocessor detects when the voltage across the motor windings is always + a -, and then turns on the triac. In this way, the motor 36 travels with direct current and produces a braking action on the motor 36. As the braking action is for very short periods of time, the microprocessor can be adjusted to supply precise amounts of percolate substances 53a from the hopper container 34 to the percolating chamber 24. The present invention also includes means 230 for selectively combining two or more substances for percolation, flavoring and mixing of a percolated drink. The combination means 230 includes a plurality of controllable dispensing substances or hoppers 22 that are positioto communicate with the percolating chamber 24, by supplying a desired quantity in the funnel 47 leading to the percolating chamber 24. Each of the plurality of substances dispensers 22 includes a hopper motor 36, controller 96 on control lines. The substances dispensers 22 further include the hopper container 34 in conjunction with the worm 38 which extends through the hopper container 34 and travels the motor 36, according to the details hereinabove provided. The selective control means 32 controls the plurality of controllable jets 22, to supply a predetermiamount of a selected type of substances from at least two of the controllable jets 22, to produce a predetermiselected beverage. An example for selectively combining two or more substances while percolating may include supplying an appropriate beverage percolated substance, in combination with a flavoring or sweetener additive. The user chooses a desired resulting beverage in the control means 32, which then activates the controllable substances dispensers 22, to supply an appropriate amount of substance from the respective hopper containers 34, to achieve the desired resulting beverage. To provide a more specific illustration of the selective combination media at 10, the present invention can be employed to produce a sweetemocha coffee. Mocha coffee includes coffee, a cocoa substance and a sweetening substance. In this case, at least two dispensers of controllable substances 22 are required for this application. In use, the user chooses the desired beverage, in this case sweetemocha coffee, in the control means 32. The control means then activate each of the three controllable dispensers 22, to supply the appropriate amount of substance therefrom. A first substance spout 22 is activated to supply a desired amount of ground coffee bean in the percolating chamber 24. A second substance spout 22 is activated to supply an appropriate quantity of cocoa in the percolating chamber 24. Finally, a third substance dispenser 22 is activated to supply an appropriate amount of a sweetening additive such as sugar or artificial sugar. Another example would be if a user wants mocha sweetened with a pinch of another species such as cinnamon. The above-described process would be carried out but an additional substance dispenser 22 will be provided, which will contain cinnamon and an appropriate amount of cinnamon will be supplied in the percolating chamber 24 upon selection of the desired beverage. It is clear that a series of dispensers of substances 22 can be arranged to supply appropriate quantities of desired substances to the percolate chamber to percolate, flavor and mix a desired percolate beverage. Figure 1 provides a diagrammatic representation of the hydraulic and electrical organization of the present invention. Figure 6 provides a schematic diagram of the water flow circuit, including electric control lines 108, 102, 111, interconnected between controller 96 and control valves 80, 82a, 82b, respectively. Since the inlet line 78 is constantly open and imposes water inflow pressure in the tank 76, the tank is constantly replenished, even when not in use. This replenishment maintains the tank 76 in a full condition and ready to percolate on demand at any time. An additional feature of the present invention is the ability to store hot water in the tank 76. While the inlet line 78 is constantly open and imposes pressure on the incoming flow water in the tank 76, the tank can also develop a a certain degree of pressure caused by heating and subsequent expansion of the water retained from the tank 76. As the cold water enters the bottom of the tank, the heating element 93 heats the water causing the hot water to rise towards the top of the tank 76 and Cooler water remains towards the bottom of the tank 76. The control valves 80, 82, 82a, 82b prevent expansion of the water in the tank in any of the lines they control. A pressure relief valve 82c is provided in the cold water line 88 such that the expanding water from the reservoir 76 that is at a pressure exceeding a predetermined reservoir pressure is released through the relief valve 82c and is discharge to the manifold 63 through the discharge line 232. When excessive pressure is forced through the bottom of the tank 76, the heated water is conserved towards the upper part of the tank 76, thus maintaining the energy and time required to heat the water in the tank. The rinse water solenoid valve 82a is controlled on line 102, to control the flow through the rinsing water line 84 to provide controlled pressurized water flow to the funnel portion 46 to rinse any percolating substance 53a out of the funnel 46. After a quantity of percolating substance 53a is supplied by the hopper assembly 22, the controller 96 signals the rinsing water valve 82a and the percolation water valve 80 on the lines 102, 108, respectively, to open and allow water to circulate through the rinsing water line 84 and the percolating water line 86. The water supplied from the rinsing line 84 through the valve 82a flushes the funnel 46 and is then collected in the percolating chamber 45 constituting part of the water used to float the percolating substance before the percolating water is supplied. The water from the percolating water line 86 provides additional water to float the percolating substance. Both water sources 84, 86 are employed in such a way as to accelerate the step of supplying flotation water in the percolating chamber 45. After a predetermined period of time, the controller 96 signals the rinsing water and percolation water valves 82nd, 80, to close in this manner by terminating the water flow to the percolating chamber 45. Since the controller can be programmed for an infusion time, there may be a period of time between the supply of water for flotation and the supply of additional percolated water. At appropriate time, for example after the preset infusion time, the controller 96 signals the percolating water valve 80 on the line 108 to open and allow water to circulate through the percolating line 86. The water flows to through the inlet line 78 simultaneously to introduce unheated water to the bottom of the tank 76, thereby displacing the hot water in the tank 76 upwardly out of the percolating line 86. With the percolating water valve 80, the water circulates through the percolating line 86 and towards the percolating chamber 45 for infusion with the percolating substance. At the end of the percolating water supply cycle, the controller 96 signals the percolating water valve 80 to close, thereby ceasing the percolating water flow in the percolating chamber 45. As further illustrated in Figure 6 , a pressure switch 90a is provided on the input line 78 and is connected to the controller 96 by the line 100a. The pressure switch 90a can be calibrated to a predetermined pressure setting, such that a pre-specified minimum pressure level must develop in the input line 78 for the apparatus 20 to operate. This pressure switch 90a prevents inadequate back pressure and percolation. A flow meter 90b is used to measure the amount of water used by the apparatus during each percolate cycle and is in communication with the controller 96 on the line 100c. A primary pressure regulator 90c is maintained in the inlet line 78 at a consistent predetermined pressure level, e.g. 1,406 kg / cm2 (20 psi) dynamic. The primary pressure regulator 90c establishes and ensures a consistent operating water pressure for the entire hydraulic circuit. The hot water tank 76 also includes the thermostatically controlled heating element 96 which is regulated on the control line 105 by a thermostatic device of known construction. In summary, when the operation of the percolator 20 is activated by the switching assemblies 104, the controller 96 activates the discharge valve 55a to close the waste line 55c. The controller 96 activates the motor 36 via the control line 106 to measure a predetermined quantity of beverage percolating substance 53a from the hopper assembly 22 in the funnel portion 46. A plurality of the substance dispenser 22 can be provided for supplying a variety of substances in the percolate chamber 24 to achieve a predetermined desired mixture to a resulting percolate beverage.

After a predetermined quantity of beverage percolating substance 53a has been supplied to the funnel portion 46, the controller 96 activates the rinse water valve 82a, the percolating water valve 80 for a predetermined period of time on the control lines 102, 108, respectively, for introducing rinse water through the rinsing water line 84 to the funnel portion 46 and rapidly pre-filling the percolating chamber. At the end of supplying the float or pre-filled water, the controller 96 * can allow the percolate substance to be infused for a predetermined period of time. At the end of the infusion time, the controller 96 opens the percolating water valve 80 to supply percolation water to the percolate chamber, which results from water flowing through the inlet line and into the water reservoir hot 76 to displace the hot water thus introducing percolating water to the mF percolating chamber 45 through the percolating line 86. The present invention also provides the ability to percolate large quantities of percolated beverage, thereby eliminating the need to percolate multiple smaller quantities of a desired beverage. Referring to drinks 10, 11 and 12, the automatic beverage percolating apparatus 20 can be connected by means 234 to provide a beverage path to supply a desired percolate beverage to a remote beverage container 236. The remote beverage container 236 provides a receptacle for large quantities of percolated beverage that are produced in the percolating chamber 24. It will be noted that the percolating chamber 24 as illustrated in the present invention may be capable of producing more than 3,785 liters (l gallon) or more of percolated drink. Additionally, since the present invention is highly automated, multiple percolate cycles can be employed to produce greater amounts of percolated beverage than an amount that would be produced by a single percolate cycle using a maximum amount of percolate in the percolate chamber 24 The capacity in percolating drink and supplying the beverage to a remote container 236, allows the ability to increase the use of the beverage percolator beyond the capacity of the containers or just containers 57 that are placed in the percolating apparatus 20 itself. This capability is especially important for users of large volumes who may require transporting percolated beverage to a variety of sites that are not yet capable of providing an individual beverage percolating apparatus at each location. Mounts 234 that provide a beverage path include a line or supply hose 238 having a first end 240 that is removably connected to the beverage percolating apparatus 20 and receives a percolated beverage through the large discharge line 226 A second end 242 is removably engageable with the remote beverage container 236. The second end 242 includes a rapidly releasable coupling of known design to provide coupling and uncoupling without the use of tools and which also provides a stop valve or valve without runoff when the coupling is disconnected. As illustrated in Figure 12, the supply line 238 can be connected to a discharge duct 244 (see Fig. 1) which is connected to the primary discharge line 59. This feature allows the supply line 238 to be connected to the discharge conduit 244, such that fluid or material passing through the supply line 238 discharges into the discharge conduit 244 and therefore the primary discharge line 59. The supply line as illustrated in the Figures 10, 11 and 12, has a hose having a dimension of length such that the positive discharge induced by gravity is provided between the first end 240 and the second end 242 when the second end 242 is connected to the discharge conduit 244. The coupling quick release on the second end 242 of the supply line 238 also provides the advantage of quick coupling and uncoupling, when connected to the free end of the discharge conduit 244. The capacity of the remote beverage container of the present invention can be employed in a manual capacity, such that a user disconnects the hose 238 from the discharge conduit 244 and connects it to a container remator drinks 236. After choosing a desired percolated substance and a desired amount in a control panel 245 which is coupled to the controller 96, a desired amount of the percolated beverage is supplied to the beverage container 236. The controller 96 includes a microprocessor that it is preprogrammed and is programmable to operate the apparatus 20 through one or more percolate cycles of a selected percolate substance, to achieve a desired percolate beverage. The user chooses a type of beverage and a quantity and the programming in the microprocessor carries out the functions and operates the apparatus 20 to produce the desired amount of the selected beverage. The remote percolation capabilities can also be employed in a more highly automated capacity such that the present invention also provides means for controllably indexing a 246 series of remote beverage containers 236. The indexed assemblies 246 are coupled to the controller 96 by the control line 248. The indexing assemblies 246 consist of a moving device of known design which is capable of moving objects on either a rotary or linear path as well as a horizontal or vertical direction. The scroll mechanism of the indexing assemblies 246 is coupled to the controller 96. Programming on the microprocessor in the controller 96 provides commands to operate the indexing assemblies 246. The commands from the controller 96 incrementally index a beverage container remote 236 in position, to receive a percolated beverage from the apparatus 20 upon receiving an appropriate command during a percolation cycle. The present invention also provides means for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 the second end 242 of the supply line 238 to the remote beverage container 206. The means for connecting and disconnecting 250 consists of a controllable positioning mechanism such as a robotic arm. simplified of known design. The means for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 also receive commands from the controller 96 such that programming on the microprocessor of the controller 96 activates and controls the means for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250. When the controller 96 directs the indexing mounts 246 to place a remote vessel 236 in position to receive a percolated beverage, the controller 96 also directs the assemblies to controllably connect and disconnect 250 so that it connects the second end 242 to the remote vessel 236. The assemblies for connecting and disconnecting in the form Controllable 250 are adapted with a connection to which the second end 242 is connected. In this way, the assemblies for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 simply require raising or lowering the end 242 to be properly positioned with respect to a remote beverage container 236 placed below. Figure 11 provides a plan view of the elevation view as illustrated in Figure 10. In use, the user chooses the type of beverage to be percolated and a desired amount of the beverage. The user chooses the amount and type of beverage by means of the control panel 245 which is connected to the controller 96. The controller 96 includes the microprocessor and programming to control the assemblies for indexes 246 and the assemblies for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 the second end 242 of the supply line 238. When the percolate cycle is started, the controller 96 indexes a remote container 236 in position below the coupling 242 whereby the assemblies for controllably connecting and disconnecting 250 connect the coupling 242 to the remote vessel 236 after a predetermined amount of beverage is supplied to the remote vessel 236, assemblies for controllable connection and disconnection 250 can be signaled to disconnect coupling 242 container 236. At this point, controller 96 can regulate indexing assemblies 246 to index another remote container 236 in position below coupling 242. . The indexing and connecting and disconnecting cycle as well as the delivery of a percolated beverage is repeated for many cycles as required to achieve the preselected amount of the predetermined type of percolated beverage as chosen by the user in the control panel 245.

The pulse apparatus 28 is also controlled by the central controller 96 by means of an energy control line 110 and an optical detector 112 (as illustrated in Figure 1) associated with the central controller 96 by the control line 114. The movement of the components of the pulse apparatus 28 is regulated by signals generated by the optical detector 112. The detector 112 employs a light transmitting device 112a and a receiving device 112b and a disk 112c. The disk 112c is connected to the end of the lead screw 62 between the transmitter 112a and the receiver 112b. A number of holes (not shown) having intermediate predetermined spacing are formed through disk 112c to allow light (as represented by dotted line 112d) to pass from transmitter 112a. When the light 112d passes through the holes of the receiver 112b it detects the light 112d, essentially in the form of "on" and "off" signals indicating the number of holes that have passed the beam path, and sends a signal on line 114 to controller 96. Controller 96 employs signals from receiver 112b to control pulse apparatus 28. Piston assembly 26 includes spool 58 and a portion of rod 60 extending therefrom. As discussed previously, the piston assembly 26 also includes mounts for controllably moving the spool 28. As illustrated in Figures I through 5 and 7 through 9, the spool 58 includes a head 122 that terminates on a dome surface. 124, a base 125, and a layered portion 127. Figures 7, 8 and 9 show three different embodiments of the reel 58, 58a, 58b of the present invention. Regardless of the mode, the spool 58 is arranged in the percolating chamber with the head 122 movable in controllable manner in the inlet 43 and the mobile base in controllable form in the outlet 41. As illustrated in Figure 5, an external surface 123 of the head 122 projects through the entrance 43, seals against a package 130 retained at the entrance 43.

Similarly, a package 134 positioned within the outlet 41 seals the base when it is placed in the outlet 41. The outlet 41 communicates with the discharge body 54. With reference to Figure 7, the head 122 also includes a portion of biased cut 131 which is formed between the head 122 and the elbow portion 127. The elbow portion extends from the base 125 upward and slightly inward toward the biased portion 131. The embodiment of the elbow portion 127 as illustrated in Figure 7 has a frusto-conical shape. The combination of the biased portion 131 and the bent portion 127 provides a concealed location for a door 178 formed on an outer surface of the biased portion 131. The door 178 connects to a bore 176 of the water distribution system. With reference to Figures 8 and 9, portions of the embodiment illustrated there, which are substantially similar or identical to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, will employ the same reference number in addition to an aggregate suffix. For example, these numbers used in Figure 8 will include a suffix "a" while the reference numbers used in Figure 9 will use a suffix "b". As illustrated in Figure 8, a first alternate embodiment of a reel 58a, as used in the present invention is illustrated there. The head 122a includes a biased portion 131a, a base portion 125a and a bent portion 127a. A first segment 133a of the elbowed portion 127a includes an outer surface that is substantially parallel to the central axis 56. A second portion 135 of the elbowed portion 127a extends radially outward from the first portion 133a to the base 125a defining a frustoconical surface . With reference to Figure 9, the elbowed portion 127b extending between the head 122b and the base 125b, has an outer surface 137b defining a concave surface that curves continuously. The curvature of the elbow portion 127b as illustrated in Figure 9 starts at a more upper portion 139b of the base 125b and curves upward towards the biased portion 131b. Again, regardless of the spool mode 58, 58a, 58b, as shown in the drawings (see Figures 7, 8 and 9), the head 122 and the base 125 are sized and adjusted to perform controllable opening and sealing functions during the percolation process. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, an outer surface 141 of the base 125 has a dimension 143 which maintains the exit in a sealed condition over a predetermined range of travel of the reel 58 within the percolating chamber. Similarly, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the outer surface 123 of the head 122 has a dimension 145 which maintains the inlet 43 in a sealed condition over a desired predetermined range of motion of the reel 58. The filter assembly 164 is placed in the lower portion 44 of the percolating chamber assembly. An opening 147 is formed through the filtration assembly 64 and adjusted and sized to allow the base 125 to pass through the percolate process. Additionally, when the upper mount 42 is removed from the percolating chamber assembly 24, the filter assembly 164 can be removed therefrom by sliding the filter assembly 164 upwardly on the outer surface 141 of the base 125 past the elbow portion 127 and up on the outer surface 123 of the head 122. As can be seen from the spool 58, 58a, 58b, as illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the head 122 and the base 125 of the spool 58 have external dimensions 151, 153 respectively which are less or substantially equal to an internal dimension 155 of the opening 147. Furthermore, it should be noted that the outer dimension 151 of the head 122 is less than or substantially equal to the outer dimension 155 of the base 125. As such, the Filter assembly 164 can be easily installed or removed by simply moving it on the reel 58.

As illustrated in the cross-section of Figure 2, the spray manifold assembly 50 includes a circular manifold plate 136, wherein a distribution channel 138 and a channel cover ring 140 are formed, which cover in FIG. Sealant form the distribution channel 138 with an inner and an outer O-ring 142, 144, respectively. A space 146 is formed between the channel cover ring 140 and the bottom of the distribution channel 138. The percolate line 86 extends through the channel cover ring 140 and communicates with the space 146 for distributing water through the distribution channel 138. Water is distributed over the beverage percolating substance through a series of manifold openings 148 formed through the distribution channel 138. As will be seen in Figure 4, water circulates through the openings of multiplex 148, is generally distributed homogeneously on the surface of the beverage percolating substance retained in the percolating chamber assembly 24 to maximize the infusion of this substance. The rod members 150 extend between the manifold plate 136 and a basket member 152 of the filter assembly 52. The rod members 150 have a head 154 at one end and threadably couple a wing nut 156 at the other end. This assembly sealingly holds the housing member 40 between the manifold plate 136 and the basket member 152. A seal is made by the seal members 158 positioned between the edges of the housing member 40 and corresponding surfaces of the manifold plate and the basket member 152. A structural screen 160 is cooperatively retained in the basket member 152 of a filter assembly 52 to support a superposed cover filter material 164. Perforations 162 are formed through the structural screen 160, to allow fluids to pass through. . Pores 166 extend through the filter material 164 allow fluid to pass through and subsequently through the perforations 162 formed through the structural screen 160. It will be noted that the perforations 162 and the pores 166 illustrated in Figures 2 through 5 have been exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Fluid passing through the filter material 164 and the structural screen 160 is collected in a collection space 168 formed between the structural screen 160 and the basket member 152. Fluid connected there flows through the supply line 55 and towards a appropriate collection vessel 57. A "Y" intersection is formed in the discharge body between the exhaust pipe 59 and the piston housing 61. The downward direction of the exhaust pipe 59 promotes the flow of spent percolate material. outside the percolating chamber 45 during the washing phase of the percolate cycle. The rod portion 60 of the piston assembly passes through a sealed chamber 170 in the piston housing 61. The sealed chamber 170 is sealed at an upper end and at a bottom end.

The sealed chamber 170 forms a displaceable coupling with the flushing water line 90 to allow water to flow from the flushing water line 90 through a flushing water perforation 172 formed generally coaxial with the central shaft 56 extending through the piston assembly 26. The flushing water circulating from the flushing water line 90, flows into the sealed chamber 170 and through an opening ? t, inlet 174. Water circulates through the stripping water piercing 172 upward toward the enlarged head 122 and is forced through a downwardly directed door 176 that is formed in a lower side of the head enlarged 122 and out through a nozzle 178 connected to the end of the door 176. An upper packing and a bottom packing 180, 182, respectively form a seal between the sealed chamber 170 and the stem portion 60 and prevent leakage while the piston assembly 26 is rotated and moved axially by the pulse apparatus 28. A bottom portion of the piston housing 61 is sealed by a cap member 184 threadedly retained thereon. Figure 2 provides further detail regarding the configuration and operation of the pulse apparatus 28. As illustrated, the lead screw 62 has a male portion 186 that engages a recess 188 formed in the operative gear 68. A pin 190 is projecting through a collar 191 retains the lead screw 62 in engagement with the operative gear 68. Similarly, the rod portion 60 has a • male portion 186a engaging a recess 188a on an opposite side of operating gear 68. A pin 190a projects through a collar 191a retaining rod portion 60 in engagement with operative gear 68. Feed screw 62 it threadably attaches the acme nut 70 which is held securely in the mounting member 72. Now with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the function of the present invention during the percolating operation is discussed. As illustrated in Figure 3, upon activation of the percolator 20 on the control panel 245, the controller 96 signals the motor 64 of the pulse apparatus 28 on the line 110 to scroll down (as indicated by the arrow 201) the reel portion 58 for moving the enlarged head portion 122 from the throat 43 to open the throat, to receive a quantity of beverage percolating substance (as indicated by the particles 53a) to dispose it in the funnel portion 46 and pass it to the percolating chamber 45. A variety of substances can be supplied by the substances dispensers 22, to produce a desired beverage having a mixture of substances as discussed above. The controller operates the necessary substances dispensers 22 to supply the required substances, to achieve the desired beverage selected by the user in the control panel 245.

The controller 96 then signals the discharge valve 55a on the line 55d to close the waste line 55c and the rinse water valve 82a on the line 102. The supply line 55b is normally closed and subsequently does not require closing on this point of the percolation operation. The controller also signals the percolating water valve 80 on line 108, to supply a predetermined amount of hot water. The use of both the rinse line 84 and the percolated water line 86 accelerates the stage of supplying flotation water or pre-fill in the chamber. The rinsing water line 84 will draw water at a higher pressure than the percolation water line 84, since the pressure of the percolation water line 84 is limited by the flow control valve 82d. The top-pressure rinse water acts to flush the particles 53a out of the funnel portion 46 and down through the throat 43 to the percolating chamber 45. In addition, the rinse water washes the particles of water by arragement. the enlarged head portion 122 and the dome surface 124, thereby providing a better seal between the gasket 130 and the enlarged head portion 122 when the spool 58 travels upwardly. The rinse water, the percolating water and the beverage percolating substance 53a are collected in the filter assembly 52 with the substance 53a floating in the hot water.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the reel 58 moves # up (as indicated by date 206) to seal the throat 43 formed through the upper chamber assembly 42. It should also be noted that the discharge orifice 41 formed through the chamber bottom assembly 44, is sealed by the spool portion 58 at this point of the percolate cycle. The sealing of the percolating chamber at the top and bottom prevents the escape of steam during the infusion stage. The control of the infusion time allows a 'Controlled variable extraction of oils and sediments from the percolated substance, providing predetermined percolated beverage results. For example, a smaller amount of percolating substance left to be infused over a longer period of time may produce the same amount of percolated beverage intensity as would be a greater amount of percolate substance that is not allowed to be infused. mß. After a predetermined period of time, or pause, the infusion stage is concluded and the percolation process continues. Water is introduced through the inlet line 78 and supplies water to the hot water tank at 76 to move the hot water retained once the percolating water valve 80 is opened. Water displaced from the hot water tank 76 circulates. through the percolating water line 86 and circulates through the space 146 that is formed between the distribution channel 138 and the channel cover ring 144. The percolate water circulates through the space 146 and is dispersed over the beverage percolating substance 53a as it circulates through the plurality of annular disposed manifold apertures 148 formed through distribution channel 138. The circle of multiple apertures 148 generally distributes percolating water homogeneously thereby ensuring that all the beverage percolating substance is formed in complete infusion with the percolate water to maximize the efficiency of the percolation operation. The discharge valve 55a is selectively controlled to open a path through the supply line 55b for a predetermined period of time, as set forth in the controller 96. Once the beverage percolating substance 53a is formed as an infusion, a percolated beverage (as indicated by arrows 53) circulates through the pores 166 formed through the cover filter material 164 and through the perforations 162 that are formed through the structural screen 160. The percolated beverage 53 is collected in the collection space 168 and circulates to the discharge tube 55 and through the discharge valve 55a, the supply line 55b and the container 57. Of course, the feature of large amount of percolation can be used to percolate large quantities of a percolated drink. As discussed previously, the user can choose a larger quantity of a desired beverage and the ^^^ j ^ J ^ The controller 96 will operate the indexing assemblies 246 and the assemblies for connection and disconnection 50 of the coupling 242, to provide an automatic production of large quantities of a percolated beverage. Of course, the user can choose only a single remote container 236 of a percolated beverage and as such can manually couple or disconnect the coupling 242 to the remote container 236. If the coupling 242 is manually or automatically connected, the controllable valve 55e will operate to direct the flow through the discharge line 55 to the • large quantity line 226 for supplying the large amount of percolated beverage in the remote beverage container 236. After the percolating process is complete, the next step is to wash the percolating chamber 45 with water to remove the substance. of percolation of spent beverage 53a and to purify the percolating chamber. As a first stage, at the end of the percolation cycle, the controller 96 points to the ^ M valve 55a which closes both the supply line 55b and the waste line, thereby preventing wash water from flushing the discharge cycle through the discharge tube 55. At the end of the wash cycle by In this case, a quantity of cold water is introduced through the spool 58 through the line 90 to break the vacuum created inside the chamber by the unheated water used during the washing cycle. The additional cold water breaks the vacuum by slightly increasing the internal pressure. By increasing the internal pressure, the seals between the piston in the throat are easily disengaged and thus make it easier to release the vacuum. Next, the reel 58 is raised (as illustrated in Figure 5) to open the discharge 41 and allow a substantial portion of the spent percolation substance sludge and remaining percolate water to flow out through the exhaust pipe. 59. Shortly before the opening of the discharge 41, the controller 96 points to the percolating water valve 80 • Closing and ending the flow of percolating water. Next, the flushing water valve 82b initiates the flow of water through the flushing water line 90 and out through the bore 178 formed in the reel 58. The spool 58 is rotated while that the flushing water circulates through to rapidly rinse the chamber while the reel 58 is in the fff raised position. Water from this stage of washing by dragging is allowed to discharge. The flushing water is terminated by closing the flushing water valve 82b and the spool 58 is lowered to seal the flushing 41 and open the throat 43. A flushing washing step is initiated by introducing water into the flushing water. the chamber by percolation water lines, rinsing water and flushing water 84, 86 and 90, respectively. Because both trajectories 55b, 55c through the valve 55a and the discharge orifice 41 are sealed, the intake water accumulates in the chamber 45. As a result of the accumulation of water in the chamber 45, the percolating substance exhausted is separated by flotation of the filter material thus avoiding clogging of the pores in the filter material. When the flushing water valve 82b is opened, water flows through the flushing water line 90 into the sealed chamber 170 and up through the flush water drilling 172. Water circulates. from the perforation 178 and towards the inner surface 214 of the housing member 40 for rinsing and removed from the percolated beverage substance 53a and other matters therefrom. Additionally, the water spray from the perforation 178 is directed towards the inner surface 214, which results in guiding the floating percolating substance 53a towards the center of the percolating chamber 45., where it floats down the discharge orifice 41 without hanging on any of the surfaces of the percolating chamber 45. The perforation 178 as employed in the present invention provides at least a 90 ° dew angle, such that the flushing water of the upper edge of the inner surface 214 of the housing member 40. Further, because the spool portion 58 rotates (as indicated by the arrow 216) relative to the central axis 56, a simple bore 178 it can be used to spray the entire brewing chamber 45 during the washing operation.

It should be noted, however, that multiple perforations or nozzles 178 can be used to further improve the washing operation. As the spool 58 rotates and emits a wash spray water spray, it moves upward to a position just before it releases the seal from the discharge 41. In this position, the spool 58 starts spinning at high speed, while continues to emit washing water by dragging. The flow from the rinsing and percolation water lines 84, 86 is terminated. The rapid rotation of the reel 58 and the wash spray water spray that is emitted therefrom, induces that the accumulated water swirling enters the chamber and agitates any material releasing the filter material as well as cleaning the interior surfaces of the filter. the camera. This action of agitation and dramatic whirlwind continues for a period of approximately 2 or 3 seconds before the reel 58 finally rises to the point where it releases the seal of the discharge 41. Once the seal of the discharge is released 41 , reel 58 continues to rotate for a short period of time. The spool 58 moves upward (as indicated by arrow 210) as illustrated in Figure 5, to move the enlarged head portion 122 upwardly through the throat 43, thereby releasing a minor portion 212 of the reel 58 from the discharge orifice 41. Once the discharge orifice 41 is opened, the vortex of water accumulated in the chamber under the influence of the spool of rotation 58, including the spent percolating substance 53a which is floated or separated by agitation of the filter material, flows out of the percolating chamber 45 through the discharge orifice 41. The beverage percolating substance 53a is flushed through the discharge tube 59 and towards the waste manifold 63. 160. Waste water (as indicated by arrows 218 in Figure 5) circulating through filter assembly 52 flows into discharge tube 55. Because it would be highly undesirable to have waste water that circulating to the freshly percolated beverage or to the collection container area, the discharge valve 55a is selectively controlled to maintain the path through the closed supply line 55b and to open the path through the waste line 55c. After the spool 58 moves up, the spool 58 continues to spray wash water at least at least one other rotation to provide a final rinse of the chamber. At the terminal the flushing cycle, the lower portion 212 of the spool portion 58 is seated sealingly in the discharge hole 41. The spool 58 is axially displaced as well as rotated during the flush cycle due to the assembly of thread on the feed screw 62. The feed screw 62 and the acme 70 nut are essentially self-cleaning and therefore this

Claims (8)

1. assembly is not susceptible to accumulate foreign matter as in the prior art. When the filtration assembly 64 is cleaned or repaired, the upper assembly 42 is removed from the percolating chamber 24. With the upper assembly 42 removed, the filter assembly 164 can be lifted upwardly away from the bottom assembly 44 and on the reel 58 , since the opening 147 of the filter assembly 164 has an internal dimension 155 that is greater than or substantially equal to the corresponding outer dimensions f 155, 151 of the base 125 and the head 122, the filter assembly 164 can be removed from the apparatus without removing or detaching the spool 58. While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it is anticipated that those skilled in the art may design various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. . The invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing description, but only by the following appended claims. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. A method for percolating large quantities of a percolated beverage with an automatic beverage percolating apparatus, which prevents percolated substances from beverages are housed in a percolation filter, in the automatic beverage brewing apparatus, and to selectively combine two or more substances for percolating, flavoring and mixing a percolated beverage using the beverage percolating apparatus to produce an infusion beverage of at least one a beverage percolating substance with hot water, - the automatic beverage percolating apparatus includes an automatic beverage percolator having a percolating chamber, a water distribution system • communicating with the percolating chamber, and a plurality of dispensers of substances, the percolating chamber is arranged to controllably receive a selected amount of a selected type of beverage percolating substance and form infusion with water during a percolate cycle before activation of the automatic beverage percolator; the percolating filter is placed in the percolating chamber to retain a substance of ßß percolation of beverages during a percolate cycle and to separate a percolated beverage produced therefrom; a line or water pipe that communicates with the percolating chamber to supply a predetermined amount of water to the percolating chamber; multiple remote beverage containers, removably associated with the automatic beverage percolating apparatus, multiple remote beverage containers have a capacity in the order of 3,785 liters (one gallon) and are independent of the automatic beverage percolator; and a beverage path device for providing a path from the automatic beverage percolator to at least one of the multiple remote beverage containers, the beverage path device has a first end that communicates with the automatic beverage percolator, to receive a beverage percolated from the automatic beverage percolator and a second end that removably connects at least one of the remote beverage containers to receive a percolated beverage, percolated by the automatic beverage percolator through the beverage path device; The method of percolating a percolated beverage is characterized by the steps of: selecting a type of beverage to be percolated; select an amount of the selected beverage to percolate; activating the water distribution system to controllably supply a quantity of water in the percolating chamber before supplying a percolating substance, the amount of water is sufficient to completely wet the filter and less than one t quantity required to form an infusion of a selected amount of a beverage percolation substance; supplying a selected amount of substance from a first of a plurality of dispensers of substances in the percolate chamber on the wetted filter to flavor and mix a percolated beverage; supplying a selected amount of substance from at least one second of the plurality of dispensers of substances in the percolate chamber on the wetted filter to flavor and mix a percolated beverage; place at least one of the remote beverage containers ^^^^ multiple within a predetermined distance from the automatic beverage percolator; connecting the beverage path device to at least one of the remote beverage containers; start a cycle of percolation in the automatic beverage percolator, to percolate the amount and select type of beverage; form infusion of the substance in the percolate chamber to produce a percolated beverage; and disconnecting the beverage path device from the remote beverage container.
2. 2. Method for percolating large quantities of a percolated beverage with an automatic beverage percolating apparatus, the automatic beverage percolating apparatus includes an automatic beverage percolator, the automatic beverage percolator percolates in a controllable manner a selected quantity of a selected type of percolated beverage during a percolation cycle before activation of the automatic beverage percolator; multiple remote beverage containers, removably associated t with the automatic beverage percolating apparatus, the multiple remote beverage containers have a capacity in the order of 3,785 liters (one gallon) and are independent of the automatic beverage percolator; and a beverage path device for providing a path from the automatic beverage percolator to at least one of the multiple remote beverage containers, the beverage path device has a first end that communicates with the automatic beverage percolator, to receive a drink percolated from the automatic beverage percolator and a second end connected? removably at least one of the remote beverage containers, to receive a percolated beverage, percolated by the automatic beverage percolator through the beverage path device; The method of percolating large quantities of percolated beverage is characterized by the steps of: selecting a type of beverage to be percolated; select an amount of the selected beverage to percolate; placing at least one of the multiple remote beverage containers within a predetermined distance from the automatic beverage percolator; connecting the beverage path device to at least one of the remote beverage containers; start a percolation cycle in the automatic beverage percolator, to percolate the amount and select types of beverage; and disconnecting the beverage path device from the remote beverage container.
3. 3. Method for percolating large quantities of one > percolated beverage as described in claim 2, wherein the beverage percolating apparatus further includes an indexing device, for indexing the multiple remote beverage containers relative to the automatic beverage percolator and a connection and disconnection device, for connecting and disconnect the beverage path device and at least one of the multiple remote beverage containers; the method is further characterized by the steps of: operating the indexing device, to index one of the multiple remote beverage containers in position for connection to the beverage path device; operating the connecting device for connecting the beverage path device with the remote beverage container; operating the connection device at the end of a percolation cycle, to disconnect the beverage path device from the remote beverage container, - indexing the filled remote beverage container away from the disconnected beverage path device; and indexing another of the multiple remote beverage containers in position relative to the beverage percolator, for connection to the beverage path device.
4. 4. A method for breaking vacuum created in a percolation chamber of an automatic beverage percolation apparatus, during a rinse cycle, the automatic beverage percolation apparatus includes a percolating chamber, the percolating chamber is placed in the apparatus automatic beverage percolator, to percolate and supply a percolated beverage; a percolating line that communicates with the percolating chamber to supply hot water to the percolating chamber to form infusion of a percolating substance during a percolate cycle; a rinsing line that communicates with the percolating chamber, to supply unheated water to the percolating chamber; the percolating chamber is rinsed with water from the rinse line after percolating a quantity of percolated beverage during a wash cycle, and a control device for controllably supplying selected quantities of water to * through the percolation line; the method is characterized by the steps of: activating the control device at the end or end of a wash cycle, to controllably deliver a predetermined amount of hot water from the percolate line to the percolate chamber, the amount of hot water is sufficient to increase the temperature in the percolating chamber and compensate for the reduction in pressure during the wash cycle.
5. 5. Method for selectively combining two or more substances for percolating, flavoring and mixing a percolated beverage using a beverage percolating device, which forms infusion of at least one percolated beverage substance with hot water, a plurality of dispensers of controllable substances, operatively associated with the beverage percolating device, to controllably supply a substance in the beverage percolating device, each of the plurality of controllable dispensers contains at least one substance and a selective control device, to regulate selectively the plurality of controllable jets, the selective control device is coupled to each of the plurality of controllable jets and selectively supplies a predetermined amount of substance from at least two of the controllable jets, to produce a predetermined selected beverage; The method is characterized by the stages of. supplying a selected amount of substance from a first of the substance dispensers in the beverage percolating device; supplying a selected quantity of substances from at least one second of the substances dispensers in the beverage percolating device, - forming infusion of the substances in the beverage percolating device to produce a percolated beverage.
6. Method for selectively combining two or more substances for percolating flavoring and mixing a percolated beverage as described in claim 5, further characterized by the step of: supplying a selected amount of a third party substance from the dispensers of substances after dispensing and forming infusion of substances from the first and second dispensers of substances.
7. 7. Method to percolate a percolated beverage with an automatic beverage percolating apparatus, the method prevents Percolating beverage substances are deposited in a percolating filter in the automatic beverage percolating apparatus, the beverage percolating apparatus includes a percolating chamber, the filter is retained in the percolating chamber, a water supply system percolate, to supply percolation water to the percolate chamber, during a percolate cycle, a beverage path device, to provide a path from the chamber, to a beverage container, and a controllable supply device, to supply In a controllable manner a quantity of water in the percolating chamber, before supplying a percolating substance there, the method is characterized by the steps of: supplying a quantity of water to the percolating chamber, before supplying a percolating substance, the amount of water is sufficient to completely wet the filter and less than an amount required to form an infusion of a select quantity of water. e substance percolated; and supplying a select amount of percolated substance in the # Percolating chamber.
8. 8. Method for compensating the pressure reduction in a beverage percolating apparatus, this pressure reduction occurs during separation of a spent beverage percolating substance from the apparatus, the apparatus includes a percolating chamber, a percolating line that communicates with the percolator, to supply hot water to the percolating chamber, to form infusion of a percolated substance during a "K-percolation" cycle, a rinsing line that communicates with the percolating chamber, to supply unheated water to the chamber percolate, to rinse the percolating chamber after percolating a beverage, the method is characterized by the steps of: supplying a quantity of hot water through the percolating line to form infusion of a percolating substance during a percolate cycle; flushing the spent beverage percolating substance from the percolating chamber; close the percolating chamber for greater rinsing; supplying a quantity of water through the rinsing line, this water has a temperature that is lower than the water supplied through the percolating line; supply a quantity of hot water through the percolating line to the percolating chamber, sufficient to increase the temperature of the percolating chamber and compensate for the pressure reduction created by washing the percolating chamber with water from the rinse water line. ~ - £ U 4 IN WITNESS WHEREOVER, I have signed the above description and Novelty of the Invention as proxy of BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION, in Mexico City, D. F., today, October 24, 1994. p.p. BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION RS / bo + / [55] / Bunn