Bypass mechanism for bulk ingredient beverage dispenser

Details Bypass mechanism for bulk ingredient beverage dispenser Bypass mechanism for bulk ingredient beverage dispenser

2000-01-04

2001-12-04

Alexander, Reginald L. (Department: 1761)

Foods and beverages: apparatus

Beverage

Infusors

C099S290000, C222S134000, C222S142000, C222S238000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06324965

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to dispensers such as coffee dispensers and, in particular, to a mechanism by which a bulk ingredient hopper and dispenser is bypassed to allow a user to substitute an alternative ingredient for the bulk ingredient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automated coffee brewers and dispensers are currently in use and are popular in numerous offices and places of business. Such coffee brewer/dispensers typically store ground coffee beans in a large, bulk hopper and move a small amount of ground coffee beans into a brew device when a cup of coffee is requested by a user. Within the brew device, the ground coffee beans are mixed with hot water and then filtered out to leave brewed coffee which is then dispensed to the user.
While such a system works very well, there are shortcomings. First, the user is typically limited to a selection of one or two types of beverage. For example, a dual dispenser assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,751 to King. While the '751 Patent describes a dual bulk hopper for dispensing either regular or decaffeinated coffee (or either of two beverage ingredients), the user is limited to a choice of two ingredients.
As gourmet coffees and various mixed coffee drinks become increasingly popular, people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with only two coffee choices. For example, a visit to a grocery store coffee section reveals some 20 or more available varieties of coffee beans.
Thus, what is needed is a mechanism by which a user can select from more than just two or three varieties of a brewed beverage such as coffee from an automated beverage brewer/dispenser. In addition, such a mechanism should be inexpensive and reliable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a bypass chute is included with a bulk ingredient beverage brewer/dispenser such that the bypass chute accepts an alternative ingredient directly from a user. In conventional operation, a bulk ingredient is moved through a guide and into a brew device chamber for brewing. However, in a bypass mode, an alternative ingredient is introduced into the bypass chute by the user and the bulk ingredient is not used.
The bypass chute guides the alternative ingredient into the brew device chamber such that a beverage is brewed from the alternative ingredient rather than from the bulk ingredient. The alternative ingredient is moved through the bypass chute by operation of gravity upon the alternative ingredient.
The bypass chute is attached to a bulk ingredient hopper such that the hopper forms a back wall of the bypass chute. A baffle is included to direct the alternative ingredient away from the bulk ingredient hopper and to position the alternative ingredient at a delivery opening at which the bulk ingredient is delivered into the brew device chamber when the bulk ingredient is used.
To brew conventionally using the bulk ingredient, the user presses a button to activate both an auger-based bulk ingredient delivery mechanism and the brew device. To brew using an alternative ingredient, the user introduces the alternative ingredient to the bypass chute and presses a button which activates only the brew device. The bulk ingredient delivery mechanism is not activated such that only the alternative ingredient is used.


REFERENCES:
patent: D. 310003 (1990-08-01), King
patent: 4191101 (1980-03-01), Ogawa et al.
patent: 4688474 (1987-08-01), Anderl
patent: 4974751 (1990-12-01), King
patent: 5094153 (1992-03-01), Helbling
patent: 5351604 (1994-10-01), King et al.
patent: 5408918 (1995-04-01), King et al.
patent: 5644973 (1997-07-01), Kang et al.
patent: 5913963 (1999-06-01), King
patent: 5974950 (1999-11-01), King

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