AUTOMATED TEA MAKING DEVICE

Abstract

An automated tea making device, comprising a rectangular body 1 positioned over a fixed surface, a vessel 2 arranged over the body 1 that is accessed by a user to fill water in the vessel 2, a touch interactive display panel 3 installed over the body 1 to provide input commands, an inverted U-shaped conduit 4 configured with the vessel 2 to withdraw heated water from the vessel 2 and transfer in a conical member 5 configured with other end of the conduit 4 to receive the water, a multi-sectioned chamber 6 arranged over the body 1 stored with various types of tea mixtures and milk and a speaker 7 installed over the body 1 to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the foul odor.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated tea making device that is capable of enabling a user to input their tea preferences, including type of tea and amount of milk to automatically prepare tea at a specified time along with ensuing precise heating of water to a predefined temperature, thereby guaranteeing optimal brewing conditions for different types of tea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tea is a fragrant beverage made from the dried or fresh leaves of the evergreen shrub Camellia sinensis. Tea preparation is a ritualistic and culturally significant process that has evolved over centuries, with deep roots in various traditions and societies worldwide. Traditional tea preparation involves a variety of tools that have been used for centuries, each serving a specific purpose in the process of brewing and enjoying tea. A vessel used for steeping and brewing tea. Teapots come in various sizes and materials, such as clay or cast iron, each influencing the flavour of the tea.

[0003] Although the traditional method of manually making tea using tools teapots and kettles has proven effective to some extent, but it comes with inherent limitations. They rely on manual processes, and there is limited automation in the brewing and preparation of tea. This is a drawback for those who prioritize efficiency and speed in their tea-making routines. And certain traditional tea ceremonies, particularly in cultures like Japan and China, demand a level of expertise and knowledge to perform the rituals correctly. Thus, there is a need to develop an innovative tool that provide a more time-efficient way of preparing tea where traditional methods may fall short and to meet the evolving demands of modern requirements.

[0004] US6324964B1 discloses an according to the invention the tea strainer and propeller of a stirrer are arranged in the tea-preparation chamber in a cooperating manner in such a way that the water flow minimizes the tea-brewing time. A tea-making machine fitted with such a tea-preparation chamber makes it possible for the first time to prepare any kind of tea automatically and very quickly.

[0005] WO2017029541A1 discloses the automatic tea maker has the tea leaves' dosing device comprising two inter- touching dosing and directing discs. The dosing disc has radial grooves, which diameter is 3 - 10 mm, better 3,3 mm. The teeth of directing disc are in the form of irregular triangle. The width of circular band is 1-4 mm, better 1 mm. It is put on the gear axle. The directing disc has a central hole and touches with the plane of dosing disc by the circular band going around its edge. The diagonal teeth are made in the concave surface of the directing disc from the central hole to the circular band. The tea making module has position sensors, which are connected with the control device and control unit of the machine and which may control the size of chamber of tea making module depending on the required dose of tea leaves. The volume of the chamber of tea making module is set such as to have the dose of dry tea leaves inside the chamber without any mechanical pressure.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of making tea. However, these devices are incapable of enabling a user to input their tea preferences, including type of tea and amount of milk and fails to prepare tea at a specified time. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in detecting foul Odors during the tea-making process and are insufficient in alerting the user regarding maintaining hygiene and quality standards.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that allow the user to input their tea preferences, including type of tea and amount of milk to automatically prepare tea at a specified time along with ensuing precise heating of water to a predefined temperature, thereby guaranteeing optimal brewing conditions for different types of tea. In addition, the developed device should also detect foul Odors during the tea-making process and alerts the user to maintain hygiene and quality standards.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that of enable a user to input their tea preferences, including type of tea and amount of milk to automatically prepare tea at a specified time along with ensuing precise heating of water to a predefined temperature, thereby guaranteeing optimal brewing conditions for different types of tea.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that filters the dispensed tea to ensure a smooth and residue-free drinking experience.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that detects foul odors during the tea-making process and alerts the user to maintain hygiene and quality standards.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated tea making device that of enable a user to input their tea preferences, including type of tea and amount of milk to automatically prepare tea at a specified time along with ensuing precise heating of water to a predefined temperature, thereby guaranteeing optimal brewing conditions for different types of tea.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated tea making device comprises of, a rectangular body positioned over a fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups arranged beneath the body, a vessel is arranged over the body that is accessed by a user to fill water in the vessel, a touch interactive display panel installed over the body and accessed by the user to provide input regrading a time at which a specific type of tea is to be made along with amount of milk to be added in the tea, a timer integrated with the microcontroller to monitor time duration, a heating unit coupled with a thermostat installed over the body and positioned beneath the vessel, to heat the water up-to a pre-defined temperature, an inverted U-shaped conduit configured with the vessel from one end and installed with a pump to withdraw a regulated amount of heated water from the vessel and transfer in a conical member configured with other end of the conduit to receive the water, a multi-sectioned chamber arranged over the body and stored with various types of tea mixtures and milk, and an electronic nozzle is installed with the chamber to dispense a regulated amount of the tea mix corresponding to the user-specified type of tea and milk in the conical member.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, a motorized stirrer installed in the member to mix the dispensed water, tea mixture and milk to make the user-specified type of tea, an motorized iris unit is installed over base portion of the member to dispense the user-specified type of tea in an auxiliary container positioned beneath the member by the user, a temperature sensor is installed over the body to monitor temperature of the water, a sieve is arranged over bottom portion of the member to filter the dispensed user-specified type of tea, an odor sensor is installed over the body to monitor odor generated by the member, a speaker installed over the body to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the foul odor, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automated tea making device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated tea making device that is capable of enabling a user to input their tea preferences, including type of tea and amount of milk to automatically prepare tea at a specified time along with ensuing precise heating of water to a predefined temperature, thereby guaranteeing optimal brewing conditions for different types of tea.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an automated tea making device is illustrated, comprising a rectangular body 1 positioned over a fixed surface, a vessel 2 arranged over the body 1, a touch interactive display panel 3 installed over the body 1, an inverted U-shaped conduit 4 configured with the vessel 2, a conical member 5 configured with other end of the conduit 4, a multi-sectioned chamber 6 arranged over the body 1 and a speaker 7 installed over the body 1.

[0023] The proposed device herein comprises of a rectangular body 1 positioned over a fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups arranged beneath the body 1, wherein a vessel 2 is arranged over the body 1 that is accessed by a user to fill water in the vessel 2. The body 1 is constructed using durable and food-safe materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, or high-grade plastic, ensuring longevity and hygiene during operation.

[0024] A touch interactive display panel 3 is installed over the body 1 and accessed by the user to provide input regarding a time at which a specific type of tea is to be made along with amount of milk to be added in the tea. The display panel 3 consists of tiny wires that complete a circuit when connected by the touch of the user while providing the input data. The input data is registered within a database of an inbuilt microcontroller associated with the device for processing the input data given by the user and based on user-input, the microcontroller linked with the display panel 3 actuates a timer integrated with the microcontroller to monitor time duration.

[0025] A heating unit is coupled with a thermostat installed over the body 1 and positioned beneath the vessel 2, wherein as soon as the monitored time matches the user-specified time, the microcontroller actuates the heating unit to heat the water up-to a pre-defined temperature. The heating unit consists of a coil such that as current is passed through the coil, the coil becomes hot and produces heat energy. This heat energy of the heating unit is transferred to the wire thereby heating the patterned wires. The heating unit is actuated by the microcontroller in order to regulate the temperature of the heating unit required for heating the water up-to a pre-defined temperature.

[0026] A temperature sensor is installed over the body 1 to monitor temperature of the water based on which the microcontroller actuates the thermostat. The working of a temperature sensor depends upon the voltage across the diode. The temperature change is directly proportional to the diode's resistance. The cooler the temperature, lesser will be the resistance, and vice-versa. The resistance across the diode is measured by the sensor and the measured value is send to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the measured temperature of water and based on which the microcontroller actuates the thermostat.

[0027] An inverted U-shaped conduit 4 is configured with the vessel 2 from one end and installed with a pump that is actuated by the microcontroller to withdraw a regulated amount of heated water from the vessel 2 and transfer in a conical member 5 configured with other end of the conduit 4 to receive the water. Further, a multi-sectioned chamber 6 is arranged over the body 1 and stored with various types of tea mixtures and milk, wherein an electronic nozzle is installed with the chamber 6 and actuated by the microcontroller to dispense a regulated amount of the tea mix corresponding to the user-specified type of tea and milk in the conical member 5.

[0028] A motorized stirrer is installed in the member 5 to mix the dispensed water, tea mixture and milk to make the user-specified type of tea, wherein a motorized iris unit is installed over base portion of the member 5 and actuated by the microcontroller to dispense the user-specified type of tea within an auxiliary container positioned beneath the member 5 by the user. The iris unit comprises of a ring and a blade with multiple protrusions. The ring is fabricated with multiple grooves. The protrusions on the blades engage with the grooves on the ring in order to link the movement of the ring and blades. The ring is installed with the motor that is actuated by the microcontroller for rotating the ring with a specified speed to regulate the opening and closing of the iris unit in order to give access to the user-specified type of tea within the auxiliary container. Further, a sieve is arranged over bottom portion of the member 5 to filter the dispensed user-specified type of tea.

[0029] An odor sensor is installed over the body 1 to monitor odor generated by the member 5. The odor sensor typically consist of three main components: a sensing element, a transducer, and a signal processing unit. The sensing element, often made of materials like metal oxides, conducting polymers, or carbon nanotubes, interacts with the VOCs in the air, causing changes in its electrical properties such as resistance or capacitance. The transducer converts these changes into measurable electrical signals. The signal processing unit then analyses these signals to identify and quantify the specific odors present and in case foul odor is detected, then the microcontroller actuates a speaker 7 installed over the body 1 to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the foul odor.

[0030] The device is associated with a battery for providing the required power to the electronically and electrically operated components including the microcontroller, electrically powered sensors, motorized components and alike of the device. The battery within the device is preferably a lithium-ion-battery which is a rechargeable battery and recharges by deriving the required power from an external power source. The derived power is further stored in form of chemical energy within the battery, which when required by the components of the device derive the required energy in the form of electric current for ensuring smooth and proper functioning of the device.

[0031] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the rectangular body 1 positioned over a fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups arranged beneath the body 1, wherein the vessel 2 accessed by a user to fill water in the vessel 2. The display panel 3 is installed over the body 1 and accessed by the user to provide input regarding a time at which a specific type of tea is to be made along with amount of milk to be added in the tea. The heating unit is coupled with a thermostat installed over the body 1 and positioned beneath the vessel 2, wherein as soon as the monitored time matches the user-specified time, the microcontroller actuates the heating unit to heat the water up-to a pre-defined temperature. The inverted U-shaped conduit 4 is configured with the vessel 2 from one end and installed with a pump that is actuated by the microcontroller to withdraw a regulated amount of heated water from the vessel 2 and transfer in a conical member 5 configured with other end of the conduit 4 to receive the water. Further, the multi-sectioned chamber 6 is arranged over the body 1 and stored with various types of tea mixtures and milk. The odor sensor is installed over the body 1 to monitor odor generated by the member 5 and in case foul odor is detected, then the microcontroller actuates the speaker 7 to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the foul odor.

[0032] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention.
, Claims:We Claim:
1) An automated tea making device, comprising:

i) a rectangular body 1 positioned over a fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups arranged beneath said body 1, wherein a vessel 2 is arranged over said body 1 that is accessed by a user to fill water in said vessel 2;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 3 installed over said body 1 and accessed by said user to provide input regrading a time at which a specific type of tea is to be made along with amount of milk to be added in said tea, wherein based on user-input, a microcontroller linked with said display panel 3 actuates a timer integrated with said microcontroller to monitor time duration;
iii) a heating unit coupled with a thermostat installed over said body 1 and positioned beneath said vessel 2, wherein as soon as said monitored time matches said user-specified time, said microcontroller actuates said heating unit to heat said water up-to a pre-defined temperature;
iv) an inverted U-shaped conduit 4 configured with said vessel 2 from one end and installed with a pump that is actuated by said microcontroller to withdraw a regulated amount of heated water from said vessel 2 and transfer in a conical member 5 configured with other end of said conduit 4 to receive said water;
v) a multi-sectioned chamber 6 arranged over said body 1 and stored with various types of tea mixtures and milk, wherein an electronic nozzle is installed with said chamber 6 and actuated by said microcontroller to dispense a regulated amount of said tea mix corresponding to said user-specified type of tea and milk in said conical member 5; and
vi) a motorized stirrer installed in said member 5 to mix said dispensed water, tea mixture and milk to make said user-specified type of tea, wherein an motorized iris unit is installed over base portion of said member 5 and actuated by said microcontroller to dispense said user-specified type of tea within an auxiliary container positioned beneath said member 5 by said user.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is installed over said body 1 to monitor temperature of said water on which said microcontroller actuates said thermostat.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sieve is arranged over bottom portion of said member 5 to filter said dispensed user-specified type of tea.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an odor sensor is installed over said body 1 to monitor odor generated by said member 5 and in case foul odor is detected , said microcontroller actuates a speaker 7 installed over said body 1 to produce a voice command to notify said user regrading said foul odor.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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