WO2015051407A1

WO2015051407A1 - Coffee filter basket level sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2015051407A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000977
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Harrod; Drew Rosskelly
Original assignee: Breville Pty Limited
Priority date: 2013-10-11
Filing date: 2014-10-13
Publication date: 2015-04-16

Abstract

A drip filter coffee making machine has a filter basket. The level of the contents of the basket is determined by a level sensor. The level sensor communicates with the machine's microprocessor control unit for the purpose of regulating the level.

Description

Coffee Filter Basket Level Sensor

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to drip filter coffee machines and

particularl to a drip filter coffee basket level sensor.

Background of the Invention

Consumers using a domestic dri filter coffee machine will typically place coarsely ground coffee into either a paper or metal filter which is then inserted into the drip filter coffee machine's filter basket. Once activated, the machine will typically use a "horseshoe" type heating element to heat and deliver hot water to the coffee grounds in the coffee basket. This system provides hot water at a slow but steady pace.

Today, new technologies allow rapid water heating, This in turn allows for much faster water deliver to the coffee basket than a traditional horseshoe element can provide. When using a faster water delivery system, the coffee grounds and filler become the obstruction to quick brewed beverage delivery.

When first exposed to hot water, the coffee grounds in the filter basket take time to dissolve or for water to be absorbed into the coffee. Some undissolved coffee will float on the water. Additionally during this dissolving and brewing process some coffee foam is formed on top of the coffee and water brew mixture. This material on top of the wet or dissolved coffee is known as coffee "bloom". Once the water is fully absorbed by the coffee, this blooming ceases and the total, water / coffee level drops. However, if too much water is provided to the coffee particularl during this "bloom" phase, the water and coffee will overflow from the basket, which is undesirable.

Monitoring and regulating the level within the filter basket will prevent the overflow of the contents of the filter basket.

Summary of the Invention

Described herein is a technology to prevent inadvertent over low from filter basket of a drip filter coffee machine. Accordingly, there is provided a coffee machine having a hot water supply that is regulated in accordance with the output of a sensor that monitors the level within the machine's filter basket.

In one aspect there is provided a drip filter coffee making device having a water reservoir, a heating apparatus, a filter basket and a dispensing head that discharges heated water into the filter basket, the discharge being regulated by a microprocessor control unit, comprising;

a level sensor, associated with the filter basket, the sensor providing a signal to the microprocessor control unit that is indicative of a level within the filter basket;

the microprocessor adapted to alter a rate of the discharge in

accordance with the signal .

The device may further comprise a pump apparatus for drawing water from the water reservoir to the dispensing head; and the rate of discharge may he altered by controllin operation of the pump apparatus.

The pump apparatus may be selected rom a group consisting of: a solenoid pump, a thermal expansion pump, a peristaltic pump, an impeller pump and a diaphragm pump.

The heating apparatus may be a thermo-coil or a thermoblock,

The level sensor is selected from a group consisting of one o more of the following: a two state device; .a mechanism having a motorised paddle; a magnetic float sensor assembly; a vibrating level sensor assembly; a pneumatic level sensor assembly; an RF admittance level sensing assembly; a microwave level sensing assembly; a guided microwave level sensing assembly; a hydrostatic level sensing assembly; an air bubbler sensing assembly; an ultrasonic non-contact level sensing assembly; a lever and switch, and the filter basket being suspended to bear on the lever; a switch, and the filter basket being suspended and bearing on the switch to activate the switch; a niechanical float and switch assembly; photo sensory and a source of light; a load cell assembly, and the filter basket being suspended and bearing on the load cell assembly; and a eapacitive strip level sensing assembly,

The filter basket may have a drip stop valve that is controlled by the microprocessor control unit. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

in order that the invention be better understood, reference is now made to the following drawing figures in which:

Figure i is a schematic view of a drip filter coffee machine

including a filter basket level sensor.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a capacitive level sensor.

Figure is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a rotating paddle level sensor.

Figure 4 Is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a magnetic level sensor,

Figure 5 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a vibrating element, level sensor.

Figure 6 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket havin a pneumatic level sensor.

Figure 7 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a RF admittance level sensor.

Figure 8 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a microwave level sensor.

Figure 9 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a guided m crowave level sensor.

Figure 10 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a hydrostatic level sensor.

Figure 11 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a air bubbler level sensor.

Figure 12 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a ultrasonic level sensor.

Figure 13 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a mechanical level sensor.

Figure 14 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a over centre switch level sensor.

Figure 15 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a mechanical float level sensor. Figure 16 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a light, infra-red or microwave level sensor.

Figure 17 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a load cell level sensor,

Figure 18 is a perspective view, partially sectioned of a filter basket having a capacitive strip level sensor.

Figure 19 is a schematic view of a drip filter coffee machine

including a filter basket level sensor. Deta_.lkd_. Description

As shown in Figure 1, a drip brew or drip filter coffee machine or device 100 comprises a water tank or reservoir 101 from which water may he drawn, for example with a pump apparatus such as a solenoid pump 102, Water is tii us pumped through a heating apparatus such as athermo-coil^'103.

Conventional pump apparatus rely on thermal expansion, and the speed whereby a thermal expansion pump delivers water is dependent on the diameter of the tubing used in the water path and/or the power provided for heating the water. In this way, it may for example foe possible to deliver water taster by providing more power to the heater resulting in the thermal pumping mechanism, These mechanisms typically rely on a thermo-coil as shown in Figure 1,

Other heating apparatus can also be used, for example a thermoblock

1901 as shown for the alternative embodiment of a drip filter coffee .machine or device 1900 in Figure. 19.

Other types of pumps that may be used are positive displacement pumps such as (but not limited to) a peristaltic pump, impeller pump, or diaphragm pump.

The supply of heated water to the coffee grounds is regulated by a a microprocessor control unit ("MCU") 110 that regulates the operation of the pump 102 so that the water is ultimately delivered, for example through a dispensing head or "shower head" 105 into the machine's filter basket 106. When tile MCU 110 turns the pump 102 down or off, the MCU 110 will also turn the heating apparatus 103 down or off so that the water path is not overheated.

In some embodiments (as shown in Figure 1), an optional valve 104 may be used to provide further control of the watertlow in the discharge process.

The filter basket 106 may also be adapted to receive freshly ground coffee from an internal grinder. Thus, in some examples, the coffee machine 100 is also provided with a bean hopper 107 and a coffee bean grinder 108 that dispenses ground coffee through a delivery chute 119 into the filter basket 106, In the example of Figure i, th filter basket 106 is associated with a level sensor 10 that is adapted to monitor the coffee and water mixture in the filter basket 106 and provided data regarding the fluid level to the device's microprocessor control unit ("MCU") HO. it will be appreciated that the pump 102, heating element or tliermo-coil or thermoblock 103, water delivery valve 104 and optional grinder .108 are all controlled by the MCU 1.10 i accordance with process parameters, the output signal of the level sensor 109 and user commands or instructions, user selectable parameters and

preferences that are input by the user through the device's user interface 111. In some examples, the device is provided with a drip stop valve 112 that regulates the output of the filter basket 106 into a vessel, for example, a carafe 113.

In the following examples, various types of level sensing dev ices are disclosed for use as the. filter basket's level sensor e.g. 109. Each sensor type has one or more output states th at are transmitted to and processed by the M CU 110. Some of the level sensors are two state devices, that is, they are activated, or not depending on the fluid level in the filter basket. The output of the device to the MCU 110 thus changes when the maximum desired level is reached. The MCU 110 then acts o the change of output signal to stop the flo w into the filter basket

As brewed coffee is dispensed from the filter basket and the level within the filter basket is lowered, the output signal from the sensor 109 potentially reverts to its initial state. This resumption is detected by the MCU 110 whereupon the MCU may then resume delivery of the hot water to the filter basket. The MCU ma dela the resumption of flow, if required.

Some sensors 109 are three state sensors that have three different output states, being "off, "low" level and "high" level. It will be understood that the output signal to the MCU associated with the "high" level will cause the MCU no to cease hot water delivery. The MCU 110 will resume delivery when the "low" level signal is received from the sensor 109, Some sensors 109 are continuous over a range of levels in the filter basket, and provide a range of output signals that are indicative or directly related to the fluid level in the filter basket 106. Sensors of this type may have, if required, built-in signal processors that thus provide output signals that can be directly input into the MCU 110. In some embodiments an outboard processor converts the direct output of the sensor 109 into a form of signal that can be input into the MCU 110.

In the example of Figure 2 hot water is supplied by the dispensing head into a quantity or dose of ground coffee 201 that is retained within a filter 202 that is carried i the filter basket 106. The output of brewed coffee from the filter basket 106 is regulated by the drip stop valve 112. When the water input rate from the dispensing head 105 exceeds the rate of output from the drip stop valve 112, the water level within the basket 106 will rise. When the level of water and ground coffee reaches the l evel of the dual pin sensor 203 , contact between the wet mixture and the pins 204 of the capacitive sensor 203 causes signal to be sent to the MCU 110. This signal causes the MCU to deactivate the heating system 103 and/or pump 102, When the water level fells below the lower (or both of) of the two pins 205, the sensor is deactivated and the MCU 110 will, if more water is required, reactivate the heating system so that water will once again be supplied from the dispensing head 105 into the filter basket 106.

s shown in the example of Figure 3, the level sensor 109 comprises a rotating paddle mechanism, The mechanism 109 comprises a electric motor 300 having an output shaft.301 that rotates a paddle 302, When the level within the filter basket 1.06 reaches the paddle 302, the rotation of the paddle is resisted and the resistance or change in motor load or speed is monitored by a sensor or circuit within the assembly 109, The appropriate signal is transmitted to the MCU no by the sensor assembly 309. When the water level falls below the height of the paddle 302, it is able to spin freely, causing a different signal output (e.g. or no signal output) to be provided to the MCU 110. This will cause the MCU to reactivate the beating system so that water will again flow through the dispensing head 105.

In the example of Figure 4, the basket^'s level sensor 109 comprises a float sensor assembly such as a magnetic float sensor assembly 400. in this example, the magnetic floa sensor assembly 400 comprises a cylindrical float 401 having a central opening 402. The float 401 rises and falls along a vertically oriented guide rod 403 that fits within the central opening 402 of the float 401. In preferred embodiments, the float 401 carries a magnet 404, The vertically oriented guide rod 403 carries magnetic sensors 405, 406, When the float reaches the height of the uppermost sensor 405, a signal is sent to the MCU 110 that deactivates the heating system and thus flow of water out of the dispensing head 1.05. When the water level falls to the point where the float 401 and its magnet 404 interact with the lower sensor 406, a different signal (or lack of signal) will cause the MCU to reactive the heating system so that heated water will flow out of the dispensing head 105.

In the example of Figure 5, the basket's level sensor comprises a vibrating level sensor assembly 500. The sensor assembly 500 comprises one or more vibrating reeds or elements 501, a means for inducing vibration in the elements 502 and a means for measuring the rate or frequency of vibration 503. It will be appreciated that when the level within the filter basket 106 reaches the level of the vibrating elements 501, the resistance to vibration or the rate of vibration of the elements 501 will change and be detected by the sensor or sensing means 503, The change in th e vibration frequency of the elements 501 results in a signal transmission to the MCU 110 and causes the MCU to deactivate the heating system and the flow of water out of the dispensing head 105. When the level within the filter basket 106 fails below the level of the elements 501, the original rate of vibration of the elements 501 is restored and a second signal, or no signal is provided to the MCU as an indication that the heating system and flow of hot water should be resumed to the dispensing head 105.

In the example of Figure 6, the basket's level sensor 109 comprises a pneumatic level sensor assembly 600. The assembly 600 comprises a pneumatic input, or supply of pressurized air 601 and a submersible air pressure sensor 604. in this example_,, a flow of air is supplied through a vertical tube 603 to a sensing head of the sensor 604, The head 604 has a lower opening or flexible diaphragm 605 that, is preferably larger in diameter than the tube 603. When the level within the filter basket 106 reaches the opening 605., the accumulation of pressure within the housing 604 and the tube 603 results^' in a detection of the overpressure by the pressure sensor or the MCU 110, The pressure sensor may be located on or within the assembly 600 or may be located remotely from it, so long as the pressure within housing 605 and tube 603 is communicated to the sensor, for example, by a pneumatic line 602 extending from the assembly 600 to the remote sensor. The MCU will deactivate the heating system and the flow of water to the dispensing head 105 when a detected pressure exceeds a threshold value. When the level within the filter basket 106 falls below the level of the opening 605, a different signal (or no signal) is transmitted to the MCU 1.10 causing a resumption of the flow of heated water to the dispensing head 105.

In the example of Figure 7, the basket's level sensor 109 comprises an RF admittance level sensing assembly 700, The RF admittance level sensor assembly utilises a rod probe 701 that is located externally to the filter basket 106. The assembly 700 measures the change in RF admittance around the probe, corresponding to a change in the dielectric caused by the fluid level in the basket 106. The assembly 700 may be mounted on the coffee machine's chassis or adjacent to the filter basket 106. A first signal from the assembly 700 is sent to the MCU 110 to indicate that the maximum level within the basket 306 has been reached. This will cause the MCU no to deactivate the heating system and the flow of heated water through the dispensing head 105. A second signal or lack of signal generated by the assembly 700 indicates a low level within the filter basket 106 and causes the MCU 110 to resume a supply of heated water to the dispensing head 105. In the example of Figure 8, the basket's level sensor 10 comprises a microwave level sensing assembly 800. The assembly 800 comprises a microwav beam transmitter 801 and. a microwave receiver 802. Microwaves 803 emanating from the transmitter 801 are detected by the receiver 802, unless obstructed by the fluid level within the filter basket 106. As previousl suggested, signals from the receiver 802 are used to provide information to the MCU 110 regarding the level within the filter basket 106. When the beam is obstructed, the receiver 802 will cause the MCU 110 to deactivate the heating system and flow of heated water to the dispensing head 105. When the fluid level falls and the beam 803 is once again detected, the MCU will resume the flow of heated water to the dispensing head 105,

In the example of Figure , the basket's level sensor 109 comprises a. guided microwave sensor assembly 900, The assembly 900 may be mounted to the lid 901 of the filter basket io6> The transducer 90a of the assembly 900 sends high frequency microwaves or pulses along a steel rod, probe or cable 903 that is vertically oriented and suspended below the assembly head 904. When ^'these microwaves reach the surface 905 of the fluid level within the filter basket 106, they are reflected and thereby received or detected by a receiver 906 located within the assembly 900. The time it takes for the microwaves to return from the surface 905 is measured or evaluated by the sensor assembl 900 and converted or interpolated as a distance to the surface 905 and therefore a fluid level within the filter basket 106. Signals provided by the assembly 900 to the MCU 110 are used to regulate the supply of hot water to the dispensing head 105 as previously taught.

As shown in the example of Figure 10, the basket's level sensor 109 can be a hydrostatic level sensing assembly 1000. The assembly 1000 may be mounted to the lid 1001 of the titer basket 106, The assembly 1000 further comprises a submersible hydrostatic pressure transducer, whose transducer signal is monitored or otherwise processed by a separate instrumentation compartment 1003 associated with the assembly 1000. Because the lowest point 1004 of the transducer 1002 is located close to the bottom of the filter basket 106, the pressure monitored by the assembly 1000 will correspond to the fluid level within the filter basket 1006. Signals from the transducer .1002 or optional remote instrumentation housing 1003 are provided to the MCU 1010, as previously suggested by the purpose of the regulation of the beating system and supply of hot water to the dispensing head 105. Instead of a transducer 1002, the sensing may be done with an open ended cylinder or bell 1005. Accumulating pressure in the bell compresses air in a pneumatic tube 1007. The pneumatic pressure is converted into an output signal by sensors and circuitry in the housing 1003.

As shown in the example of Figure 11 , the basket's level sensor 109 may be an air bubbler sensing assembly 1100. The assembly 1100 comprises a pneumatic tube 1101 having one end 1102 submerged in the filter basket 106, The assembly iioo further comprises^' an air pump 1103 that supplies a fixed flow of air pressure to the tube 1101. The lowest portion 1103 of the tube 1101 is close to the bottom of the filter basket 106. Accordingly, the pressure in the tube 1101 as measured by a transducer 1104 in the assembly iioo is

proportional to the depth of the liquid above the low point 1103 of the tube 1101. The pressure monitored by the transducer 1104 is processed or otherwise provided to the MCU 110 as an indication of the fluid level in the filter basket 1106. The level signal or signals provided by the assembly 1100 are used to deactivate the heating assembly and the flow of heated water to the dispensing head 105, as previously suggested.

As shown in the example of Figure 12, the basket's level sensor 109 can be an ultrasonic, non-contact level sensing assembly 1200. The assembly

1200 comprises a transducer 1201 that omits a high frequency (e.g. 20kHz to 200kHz) acoustic waves that are reflected back to the assembly 1200 and detected by the transducer 1201. The acoustic waves are reflected from the surface 1202 of the fluid in the filter basket io6. The time delay between the omission and the reception of the acoustic waves is thus detected by the assembly 1200 and interpolated directly or indirectly as indicative of the distance to the water level 1202 and thus the fluid level in the filter basket 106. Signals from the transducer 1200 are provided to the MCU as an indication of the fluid level m the filter basket 106 and are thus used by the MCU to regulate the heating system and flow of heated water to the dispen sing head 105 as previously suggested. As shown in the example of Figure 13, the filter basket 106 is suspended from or is detached ("floats") or hinged to the coffee machine's chassis so that its weight and the weight of its contents bears on a lever 1300 carried by a pivot axle 1301. The opposite free end 1302 of the lever 1300 makes contact with a mechanical or electromechanical switch such as a micro switch 1303. The lever 1300 may be pre-loaded, by a tension spring 1304 f ocated between the filter basket 10 and the pivot axle 1301 and above the pivot, arm 1300) or by a compression spring 1305 (located similarly, but below the pivot arm

1300). The pivot axle 1301 may in the alternative be pre-loaded with a torsional spring 1306. When the pre-load is overcome by the rising level of fluid in the filter basket 106 , the actuating end 1302 of the pivot arm 1300 makes contact with the switch 1303. The switch 1303 provides the signal to the MCU 110 that indicates when the maximum desirable fluid level has been reached in the filter basket 106. Thus, the signal, or absence of it, is used by the MCU to deactivate the heating assembl and the flow of water to the dispensing head 105 as previously suggested.

As shown in the example of Figure 14, the filter basket's level sensor 109 maybe a sprung, mechanical over centre switch assembly 1400, The assembly 1400 contains an electrical contact 1401 suspended between two springs 1402, 1403. The filter basket 106 floats, with its full weight bearing on the assembly 1400, When the force exerted on one of the springs is great enough to compress it beyond a pre-established set point, an electrical contact is made. The aforementioned force can be set by a pre-loading of one of the springs. A signal from the switch 1401 is transmitted to the MCU 110 when the weight of the filter basket io6 and its contents exceed a pre- determined threshold. Thus, the signal to the MCU indicates a maximum fluid level and causes the MCU to regulate the heating system and the delivery of heated water to the dispensing head 105 in the manner previously suggested.

As suggested by Figure 15, the basket's level sensor 109 may be a.

mechanical float and switch assembly 1500. In this example, a pivot axle 1501 carries a pivot arm 1502. One end of the pivot arm 1503 carries a float 1504. The opposite end of the pivot, arm 1505 is adjacent to an electrical or electromechanical switch such as a micro switch .1506, The switch 1506 is tripped when the float 1504 rises to a pre-established threshold corresponding to the maximum, desired fill level of the filter basket 106. The output of the switch 1506 is provided to the MCU 110 so that it may regulate the heating system and flow of heated water to the dispensing head 105 as previously suggested.

As shown in the example of Figure 16, the basket's level senso 109 ma be a photo sensor or light sensing assembly 1600 comprising a light source .1601 and a light sensitive transducer or receiver 1602. A beam of light 1603 is emitted by the light source .1601 and detected by the receiver 1602. The filter basket 106 may have a pair of aligned openings or windows 1603, 1604 to better promote and align the transmission of the beam 1603 from the source 1601 to the receiver 1602, When the light beam 1603 is interrupted, by the rise of the fluid level within the filter basket 106 , the receiver 1602 transmits the appropriate signal to the MCU no so that the MCU can regulate the heating system and delivery of hot water to the dispensing head 105. A fall in the level within the filter basket 106 causes a resumption of the reception of the beam 1603 by the receiver 1602 and the corresponding output signal is transmitted to the MCU 110 for the purpose of the resumption of the heating and dispensing of hot water, as previously suggested. It will be appreciated that the use of infra-red radiation rather than visible light is contemplated with the example of Figure 16. Thus, the emitter ίβοι ma be an infra-red emitter, beam 1603 may be an infra-red beam, and the receiver 1602 may be an infra- reel receiver. Similarly, the emitter 1601 may be a microwave emitter, the beam 1603 may be a microwave beam and the receiver 1602 may be a microwave receiver.

As suggested by the example of Figure 17, the basket's level sensor 109 may be in the form of load cell assembly 1700. In this example, the filter basket 106 floats or is hinged or otherwise suspended so as to impose its weight on the load ceil assembly 1700, Accordingly, the weight of the basket 106 and its contents are detected by the assembly. When, the combined weight of the basket and its contents reach a pre-established threshold, the load cell assembly 1700 sends a signal to the MCU to deactivate the heating system and the flow of ho water to the dispensing head 105, When the weight falls below a second pre-established threshold, the MCU re-activates the heating assembly and the flow of hot water to the dispensing head 105 as previously suggested.

As suggested by the example of Figure 18, the basket's level sensor 109 may be in the form of a capacitive strip level sensing assembly 1800. in this example, a pair of capacitive strips 1.801 are mounted or adhered to the outside of the filter basket 106. Signals from the capacitive strips are processed by an optional intermediate processor 1802 and the output 1803 of the intermediate processor 1802 is provided to the MCU 110 as an indication of the fluid level within the filter basket 106. Accordingly, the MCU acts on the output of the intermediate processor 1802 to activate or deactivate the heating system and the flow of hot water to the dispensing bead 105.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", ''third", etc, to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "example" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessaril all referring to the same embodiment or example, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable, manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarl it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding m the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as refleeting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Any claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressl incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating,"

"determining" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a

microprocessor, controller computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to foe within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed

embodiments can be used in any combination,

Thus, while there has been described what are believed t be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the Invention,

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should he understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A drip filter coffee making device having a water reservoir, a heating apparatus, a filter basket and a dispensing head that discharges heated water into the filter basket, the discharge being regulated, by a microprocessor control unit, comprising:

the microprocessor adapted to alter a rate of the discharge in

accordance with the signal .

2. The device of claim i, wherein;

the device further comprises a pump apparatus for drawing water from the water reservoir to the dispensing head; and

the rate of discharge is altered by controlling operation of the pump apparatus.

3. The device of claim 2

the pump apparatus is selected from group consisting of: a solenoid pump, a thermal expansion pump, a peristaltic pump, an impeller pump and a diaphragm pump.

4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein;

the heating apparatus is a thernio-coil.

5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a two state device.

6. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a mechanism having a motorised paddle.

7. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein : the level sensor is a magnetic float sensor assembly.

8. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein;

the level sensor is a vibrating level sensor assembly_*

9. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein :

the level sensor is a pneumatic level sensor assembly,

10. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is an RF admittance level sensing assembly.

11. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a microwave level sensin assembly,

12. The device of any one of claims 1- , wherein:

the level sensor is a guided microwave level sensing assembly.

13. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor Is a hydrostatic level sensing assembly,

14. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is an air bubbler sensin assembly,

.

15, The device of any one of claims i-4, wherein:

the level sensor is an ultrasonic non-contact level sensing assembly,

16. The device of any one of claims i-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a lever and switch;

the filter basket being suspended to hear on the lever,

17. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a switch;

the filter basket being suspended and bearing on the switch to activate the switch.

18. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a mechanical float and switch assembly.

19. The device of an one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is photo sensor)⁷ and a source of light.

20. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a load cell assembly;

the filter basket being suspended and hearing on the load cell assembly.

21. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:

the level sensor is a eapaeitive strip level sensing assembly.

22. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein:

the filter basket as a drip stop valve that is controlled by the

microprocessor control unit.