Apparatus and method for brewing a beverage with a desired strength

Abstract

An apparatus and method for brewing coffee or a similar brewed beverage allows a consumer to select a desired strength, and then, a serving of the brewed beverage is promptly brewed and dispensed in response to that selection. Regardless of the selected strength, a constant volume of beverage results; in other words, the strength of the brewed beverage is not altered by merely adding or subtracting water.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A method for preparing a brewed beverage, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a quantity of a beverage component;    providing a plumbing system for delivering hot water to the beverage component;    providing a selector switch and associated control logic for controlling operation of said plumbing system, wherein the selector switch allows for selection of at least two of the following discrete options—
 a first option in which the plumbing system and control logic causes a first predetermined volume of water to be delivered to and distributed over the beverage component without significant interruption, creating the brewed beverage with a first desired strength,  
 a second option in which the plumbing system and control logic causes a second predetermined volume of water to be delivered to the beverage component, then terminates water flow for a first predetermined time period, and then resumes and continues to deliver water without significant interruption until the first predetermined volume of water has been delivered to and distributed over the beverage component, creating the brewed beverage with a second desired strength that is greater than the first desired strength, or  
 a third option in which the plumbing system and control logic causes a third predetermined volume of water to be delivered to the beverage component and then terminates water flow for a second predetermined time period, with such a pulsing cycle of water delivery followed by a timed delay continuing until the first predetermined volume of water has been delivered to and distributed over the beverage component, creating the brewed beverage with a third desired strength that is greater than the second desired strength.  
   
   
   
       27 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , and further comprising a brew head for distributing the water over the beverage component  
   
   
       28 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , in which said plumbing system includes a flow meter to measure volumetric water flow, said flow meter being in communication with the control logic so that water flow can be controlled according to the selected option.  
   
   
       29 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , in which said plumbing system includes a pump for drawing water from a reservoir and directing water into and through a hot water tank to the brew head.  
   
   
       30 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , in which said plumbing system further includes a flow meter that is interposed between the pump and said hot water tank to measure volumetric water flow, said flow meter being in communication with the control logic so that the pump can be selectively deactivated to control water flow according to the selected option.  
   
   
       31 . The method as recited in  claim 30 , and further comprising solenoid valve that is interposed between the hot water tank and the brew head, said solenoid valve being in communication with the control logic such that the solenoid valve can also be closed simultaneously with the de-activation of the pump to control water flow according to the selected option.