Satellite coffee brewing system

摘要

A satellite coffee brewing system (10) includes a central brewing unit (11) cooperative with a plurality of like satellite receptacle units (12) for the storage and dispensing of hot coffee while positioned with the central brewing unit or at remote stations in a restaurant. The central brewing unit (11) comprises a siphon-type hot water system that directs the hot brewing water to an adjustable brew chamber (14) which is capable of discharging coffee in at least two different orientations whereby to alternately fill satellite units (12) arranged at any of said filling orientation. The central brewing unit includes a by-pass valve (44) capable of directing a portion of the hot water to by-pass the coffee grounds held inside a filter (50) in the brew chamber (14) by a basket (49) and spacers (47) so that the by-pass water flows around the filter (50) and into the satellite receptacle whereby the coffee grounds are prevented from being overextracted. A safety relay (60) is provided whereby the central brewing unit (11) includes a high capacity, quick recovery heating element (19) interiorly of the hot water tank to achieve the rapid successive brewing of large batches of coffee. A safety switch assembly (37) is provided whereby a brewing cycle cannot be initiated unless the brew chamber (14) is properly aligned to discharge into a correspondingly aligned empty satellite unit (12). A timer (62) and signal light (63) are electrically actuated by a brewing switch (43) wherein the age of a brewed batch of coffee may be monitored.