Semi-automatic beverage making apparatus
US7258061B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J31/52
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A beverage making system that includes a plurality of packs containing different beverage making ingredients and having different infrared reflectance spectra in a region thereof. A beverage making apparatus includes a station for receiving at least one of the packs; a source of liquid adapted to supply liquid into the at least one pack while the pack is located at the station; a system controller for controlling the supply of liquid from the source according to a beverage making program; and an infrared pack recognition system comprising an infrared light source for illuminating the region of the pack while it is located at the station. The apparatus also includes a detector for measuring an intensity of infrared light reflected from the region and for supplying an output signal to the system controller, whereby the beverage-making program is selected by the system controller in response to the output of the infrared pack recognition system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.