APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING TEA LATTE

Abstract

An apparatus includes a body, a removable first container for water for positioning on the body, a boiler within the body receives water from the first container, a heater adjacent to the boiler heats the water in accordance with at least one preparation parameter. The apparatus further includes a removable second container that is a combination milk carafe and boiler for positioning on the body and a separate heater adjacent to the milk carafe and boiler for heating the milk in accordance with at least one preparation parameter. A filter and a dispensing valve are controlled electronically. An interface and display for entering brewing parameters and a microcomputer for the controlling the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a body; a first removable container for positioning on the body; an interface positioned on the body to accept preparation parameters for a tea latte; a boiler within the body to receive a water from the first removable container, the boiler capable of receiving a tea; a first heater adjacent to the boiler to heat the water in accordance with at least one of the preparation parameters; a second removable container for positioning on the body comprising a combination milk carafe and second boiler; a second heater adjacent to the combination milk carafe and second boiler to heat the milk in accordance with at least one of the preparation parameters; a milk frothing mechanism within the combination milk carafe and second boiler; the second removable container capable of receiving a brewed tea from the boiler; a milk frothing drive mechanism adjacent to the combination milk carafe and second boiler for frothing the milk and mixing a tea latte combination.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface is configured to accept a tea latte size preparation parameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface is configured to accept a tea latte strength preparation parameter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface is configured to accept a water and milk percentage preparation parameter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuator to add the tea into the boiler.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the actuator adds the contents of a removable tea cartridge into the boiler.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tea comprises at least one spice.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tea brews by immersion in a heated water in the boiler.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first valve for releasing the water from the first removable container into the boiler.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second valve for releasing the brewed tea from the boiler into the combination milk carafe and second boiler to make a tea latte combination.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a programmable microprocessor for automated control of the components of the apparatus in brewing, mixing, and frothing the tea latte combination.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the programmable microprocessor automates control of the components of the apparatus in brewing, mixing, and frothing the tea latte combination based on user input of the preparation parameters.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the programmable microprocessor prompts the user via the interface to add the water, the tea, or the milk to the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the programmable microprocessor prompts the user via the interface to add the water, the tea, or the milk to the apparatus during a brewing, a mixing, or a frothing of the tea latte combination.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the programmable microprocessor specifies to the user via the interface an amount of the water, an amount of the tea, or an amount of the milk to add to the apparatus during a brewing, a mixing, or a frothing of the tea latte combination.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the programmable microprocessor prompts the user via the interface for at least one of the preparation parameters.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the programmable microprocessor prompts the user via the interface for a tea latte size preparation parameter, a tea latte strength preparation parameter, or a water and milk percentage preparation parameter.

18. A tea latte maker, comprising: a first container for holding a water; a boiler fluidically connected to the first container for receiving the water and a tea; a first heater for steeping the tea in the boiler; a second container in fluid communication with the boiler for holding a milk; at least a tube for transferring a brewed tea from the boiler to the second container; and a second heater for at least warming a tea latte comprising the brewed tea and the milk in the second container.

19. The tea latte maker of claim 18, further comprising a frother associated with the second container for frothing the milk and for mixing the tea latte.

20. The tea latte maker of claim 18, further comprising a user interface for inputting a preparation parameter from a user, the preparation parameter selected from the group consisting of a tea latte size preparation parameter, a tea latte strength preparation parameter, a percentage water preparation parameter, a percentage milk preparation parameter, and a liquid temperature preparation parameter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 2 is an interior view of an apparatus configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the brew process for an embodiment of the invention with a single heater and boiler, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of a tea latte apparatus consisting of two heaters and two boilers, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 5 is flow diagram of the brew process for an embodiment of the invention with two heaters and two boilers, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Apparatus and Method for Making Tea Latte with an One Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for making tea latte.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus 100 for preparing tea latte. The apparatus 100 includes a body 102 that supports a first container 104 holding water and a second container 106 holding milk. Either container may be removable. In the case of the container holding milk, it is desirable to have a removable configuration so that unused milk can be placed in a refrigerator. The base of each container has a movable disc (e.g., spring loaded) for engagement with a valve, as discussed below.

[0055] The body 102 supports a display 108. The display 108 accepts preparation parameters for tea latte. For example a slider 110 may be used to specify a tea latte serving size. Other sliders may be used to specify the strength of the tea latte (ranging from a light to dark scale). Another slider may be used to specify fluid mixture percentage (ranging from 100% water to 100% milk). The sliders may be mechanical devices. Alternately, display 108 may be a touch display responsive to physical gestures. The display also includes a start button 112. The start button 112 may present process information, such as heating, brewing, ready and the like.

[0056] The body 102 defines an aperture 114. A cup 116 may be placed in the aperture to receive brewed tea latte.

[0057] FIG. 2 is an interior view of the apparatus of FIG. 1. The interior view is not to scale. The body includes a first valve 200 to interface with the first container and a second valve 202 to interface with the second container. Fluid from each valve drips into boiler 204. Alternatively, pumps may be used to transport the fluids. Boiler 204 has an associated heater 206. The boiler has a third valve 208 to dispense brewed tea latte. A filter may be positioned between the boiler 204 and valve 208 to trap residue. In one embodiment, the filter is removable.

[0058] A microprocessor 210 is connected to a memory 211. The memory 211 stores instructions to control the brewing process. A mix module 212 includes instructions executed by the microprocessor 210 to process a preparation parameter related to percentage of water and milk. The mix module 212 may also include instructions to process a preparation parameter related to serving size.

[0059] A heat module 214 includes instructions executed by the microprocessor 210 to control the heater 206 and therefore the brewing process. A dispense module 216 includes instructions executed by the microprocessor 210 to control valves 200, 202 and 208. Thus, the dispense module 216 controls fluid intake to the boiler 204 and the dispensation of tea latte to a cup. An actuator 218 may be controlled by the microprocessor 210 to move a tea cartridge 220 into the boiler 204.

[0060] Preferably, the apparatus is configured for some manual operations. For example, the first container and the second container need not be used. Rather, the boiler 204 may be removed from the body 108. A milk, water and tea combination may be prepared in the boiler 204 while outside the body 108. The boiler may then be placed within the body 108. A user may then specify tea latte strength on the interface 108 and push the start button 112.

[0061] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer storage product with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media, optical media, magneto-optical media and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer code include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented using JAVA, C++, or other object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention may be implemented in hardwired circuitry in place of, or in combination with, machine-executable software instructions.

[0062] Now referring to FIG. 3 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the brew process for an embodiment of the invention with a single heater and boiler, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The detailed description of the process flow for FIG. 3 will include references to components previously referred to in the detailed description above of FIGS. 1 and 2. In step 310 the user selects a recipe via the display 108. In step 312 once the recipe is selected, the microprocessor 210 prompts the user via the display 108 to fill the water tank 104 and milk tank 106 to their proper levels. In step 312 the microprocessor 210 also prompts the user via the display 108 to insert a pod and close the lid.

[0063] Still referring to FIG. 3 of the present invention, in step 314 the microprocessor 210 activates a pump and valve 200 and monitors a flow meter to pump water from the water reservoir 104 into the boiler 204. In step 316 the microprocessor 210 activates a pump and valve 202 and monitors a flow meter to pump milk from the milk reservoir 106 into the boiler 204. In step 318 the microprocessor 210 activates the heater 206 to begin the brewing process. In step 318 the microprocessor 210 starts a timer and begins monitoring temperature in accordance with the recipe selected by the user in step 310.

[0064] Still referring to FIG. 3 of the present invention, in xf selected in step 310 have been reached. If not the brewing process continues. If the time and temperature parameters related to the selected recipe have been achieved the process proceeds to step 324.

[0065] In step 324 the microprocessor 210 turns the boiler 206 off and the device enters the keep hot mode. Optionally at this point, based on the user-selected recipe, the microprocessor 210 activates the frothing mechanism to mix and froth the combined mixture of tea latte and milk. In step 326 the user is prompted to remove the pod and clean the sieve.

II. Apparatus and Method for Making Tea Latte with a Second Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0066] Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for making tea latte. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes two heaters and two boilers. One boiler for tea and water is fixed; the second boiler for milk also acts as a removable carafe.

[0067] Now referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an overview block diagram of the major components of a tea latte apparatus consisting of two heaters and two boilers, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram is not to scale.

[0068] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, in one embodiment of the present invention, which includes two boilers, one fixed and one removable and two heaters, the apparatus includes a base 400.

[0069] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, mounted on the base 400 the apparatus includes a water reservoir 410, which the user will be prompted to fill after selecting a recipe if the current water level is insufficient to execute a brew. Connected to the water reservoir 410 is an outgoing water line 450 which is connected to a pump 448 located within the base 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Connected to the pump 448 is a water line 452 that supplies water to the tea boiler 432 and is connected to the tea boiler 432 via a valve 418 located near the top of the tea boiler 432 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, according to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further contains a brew housing 470, which houses among other components, the pod mechanism 414, the tea boiler 432, the heater 420, the sensor 434, the valve 422 and other sub-components contained within these above mentioned components.

[0071] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a removable sieve 430, into which a tea and spice mix will be dropped via the puncture of a removable pod 412. The removable sieve 430 is placed into and located within the tea boiler 432.

[0072] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, the removable sieve 430 is inserted into the device previous to inserting a removable pod 412. To insert a removable sieve 430 into the device, first the pod lid 458 is raised, then a hollow sieve lid 460 is raised and then the removable sieve 430 is dropped into place in the tea boiler 432.

[0073] Still referring to Fig. of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a pod mechanism 414, into which the user will insert a removable pod 412 containing a pre-packaged fresh tea and spice mix. In one embodiment of the present invention, the removable pods 412 are constructed of a flexible plastic body and a foil lid. To insert a removable pod 412, the pod lid 458 is raised and a removable pod 412 is inserted with the foil side of the removable pod 412 facing downwards. When the pod lid 458 is closed, the puncture mechanism 416, centered on the bottom of the pod lid 458 presses down on the plastic part of the removable pod 412, which causes the plastic casing of the removable pod 412 to deform and press against and rupture the foil lid of the removable pod 412. This deformation and inversion action is much like turning a sock inside out. When the foil lid of the removable pod 412 is ruptured through this deformation and inversion the tea and spice mix falls into the removable sieve 430, contained within the fixed tea boiler 432.

[0074] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention the apparatus further includes a heater 420, under control of the microprocessor 440, for heating the tea boiler 432. In one embodiment of the invention the heater is a tubular heater. The apparatus includes a sensor 434, under control of the microprocessor 440, for monitoring the temperature of the contents of the tea boiler 432. The apparatus further includes a valve 422, under control of the microprocessor 440, for transferring the brewed and filtered spiced tea mix via gravity into the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424.

[0075] Still referring to the present invention the apparatus further includes a removable milk carafe and boiler 424. In one embodiment of the present invention the removable milk carafe and boiler 424 is constructed of tri-ply material, like that used in high-end cookware which allows an even distribution of heat without scorching the milk inside the carafe. Inside the removable milk carafe and boiler 424 is placed a vertical axis centered removable frothing mechanism 446. In one embodiment of the present invention the removable milk carafe and boiler 424 slides into place in a shallow dish platform located in the base 400. The geometry of the shallow dish platform allows the removable milk carafe and boiler to be properly centered such that the magnets located within the frothing mechanism 446 inside of the milk carafe and boiler 424 couple properly with the magnets of the frothing drive mechanism 428 located in the base 400.

[0076] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, in one embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further includes an induction heater 426, under control of the microprocessor 440 located in the base 400 and directly underneath the removable milk carafe and boiler 424 for heating milk within the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424. The apparatus further includes a sensor 436, under control of the microprocessor 440, for monitoring the temperature of the milk in the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424. The apparatus further includes a magnet frothing drive mechanism 428 under control of the microprocessor 440, that drives the frothing mechanism 446 inside the milk carafe and boiler 424, for frothing the milk and mixing the final tea latte mixture.

[0077] Still referring to FIG. 4 of the present invention, in one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further includes a display housing 442 attached to the base 400. The display housing 442 includes the user interface display screen 438, user facing soft keys 439, and a combination button/dial 437 all of which are used to control/program the device and all of which are under control of the microprocessor 440. The apparatus further includes a microprocessor 440, which controls all operations, sequencing and coordination of the other sub-components of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention the display housing 442 further includes an upper bridge 462 and a lower bridge 454. In one embodiment of the present invention, the functions the bridges are to provide structural support for the tea boiler 432 and pod mechanism 414 as well as to provide conduits for wiring and water lines from the display housing 440 to the tea boiler 432 and the pod mechanism 414.

[0078] Now referring to FIG. 5 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the brew process for an embodiment of the invention with two heaters and two boilers, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The detailed description of the process flow for FIG. 5 will include references to components previously referred to in the detailed description of FIG. 4 above. In step 510 the user selects a recipe using the display 438. In step 512 the microprocessor 440 prompts the user to fill the water tank reservoir 410 to the proper level if necessary and insert a removable pod 412 into the pod mechanism 414. In step 514 the microprocessor 440 activates a pump and monitors a flow meter to pump water from the water reservoir 410 to tea boiler 432. In step 516 the microprocessor 440 prompts the user to add milk to the proper level to the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424. In step 518 the microprocessor 440 activates both heaters 420 and 426 to begin the brewing process of the tea and the heating process of the milk. In step 518 the microprocessor 440 starts timers based on the recipe previously selected by the user. In step 520 the tea and spice mix begins brewing. In step 522 the microprocessor 440 checks if the time and temperature parameters for tea brewing have been reached, if not it continues the brewing process, if so it proceeds to step 524. In step 524 the microprocessor ends the brewing process by turning off the heater 420. In step 528 the milk begins heating. Note the activation of both heaters is done is parallel. In step 530 the microprocessor checks if the time and temperature parameters have been reached for the milk heating, if not it continues, if so it proceeds to step 532. In step 532 the microprocessor ends the milk heating process and optionally froths the milk based on the recipe previously selected by the user. In step 526 the microprocessor 440 activates the valve 422 to transfer the brewed and filtered spiced tea mix via gravity from the tea boiler 432 to the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424. In step 534, the microprocessor 440 optionally mixes the tea latte mixture dependent upon the recipe previously selected. In step 534 the microprocessor 440 puts the heater 426 for the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424 in keep hot mode. The tea latte is served from the removable combination milk carafe-boiler 424. In step 536 the microprocessor 440 prompts the user, via the display 438 to remove and clean the removable sieve 430 and remove and discard the removable pod 412.

[0079] The foregoing descriptions, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.