CA2266065A1 - Brewing appliance having a tower with a water reservoir and brewing basket and an adjacently positioned pitcher receptacle - Google Patents
Brewing appliance having a tower with a water reservoir and brewing basket and an adjacently positioned pitcher receptacle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2266065A1 CA2266065A1 CA002266065A CA2266065A CA2266065A1 CA 2266065 A1 CA2266065 A1 CA 2266065A1 CA 002266065 A CA002266065 A CA 002266065A CA 2266065 A CA2266065 A CA 2266065A CA 2266065 A1 CA2266065 A1 CA 2266065A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- brewing
- tower
- pitcher
- basket
- beverage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
- A47J31/04—Coffee-making apparatus with rising pipes
- A47J31/057—Coffee-making apparatus with rising pipes with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers
- A47J31/0573—Coffee-making apparatus with rising pipes with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers with flow through heaters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J27/00—Cooking-vessels
- A47J27/21—Water-boiling vessels, e.g. kettles
- A47J27/21166—Constructional details or accessories
- A47J27/21191—Pouring spouts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
- A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
- A47J31/0621—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor with means for varying the infusion outflow velocity, e.g. for brewing smaller quantities
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
- A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
- A47J31/4403—Constructional details
- A47J31/4407—Lids, covers or knobs
Abstract
A beverage making appliance has a water reservoir, brewing basket and water heating and pumping device within a tower structure with the brewing basket in a top region of the tower. The brewing basket has a sloped door and a drain hole positioned near an edge of the sloped door, and positioned over a recess in the tower so that liquid drains from the brewing basket to the exterior of the tower. The recess in the tower is configured to receive a pitcher whereby a pitcher positioned within the recess receives liquid, in the form of a brewed beverage, from the brewing basket. A valve assembly in connection with the drain hole of the brewing basket is controllable from the exterior of the tower to regulate the flow rate of liquid from the brewing basket into the pitcher, thus altering the characteristics of the brewed beverage produced by the appliance.
Description
'title of the Invention BREWING APPLIANCE HAVING A TOWER WITH A WATER RESERVOIR AND
BREWING BASKET AND AN ADJACENTLY POSITIONED PITCHER RECEPTACLE
Field of the Invention The present invention pertains generally to appliances for preparing brewed beverages such as coffee or tea, and more particularly to automated brewing appliances which have a brewing water reservoir) a heat source for heating water received from the water reservoir, a brewing chamber for holding a brewing material such as coffee or tea, and a receptacle such as a pitcher or carafe.
Background of the Invention Many different types of automated brewing appliances have been developed to rapidly produce hot brewed beverages. One of the most common arrangements is to provide a water reservoir which drains into a heated conduit. As water within the conduit is heated, it expands and is forced from the heated conduit into a brewing chamber where it is distributed over coffee grounds or tea leaves. The resulting brewed beverage then drains directly from the brewing chamber into a pitcher or carafe which is placed underneath the brewing chamber.
Another common arrangement is to position the heated conduit underneath a platform on which the pitcher is held in order to transfer some heat to the pitcher and the beverage contents.
Some disadvantages with this type of design are that the brewing chamber must be made to extend out over the pitcher platform. When the pitcher is removed from the heated platform, excess liquid in the brewing chamber may drip directly onto the platform. Also, the brewing chamber and the pitcher platform generally extend out in front of the appliance, requiring the water reservoir to be at the back and therefore somewhat difficult to access and fill. Also, the pitcher or carafe must be made of a heat resistant material such as glass or metal, and is therefore not typically insulated with less heat resistant materials such as plastic and foam.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a novel brewing appliance wherein the pitcher is positioned adjacent to a water reservoir and brewing basket tower. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a brewing appliance includes a tower including a water reservoir, a brewing basket, and a heated conduit connected to the water reservoir and connected to the brewing basket) the brewing basket having a sloped door and a drain hole at an edge of the sloped floor, a flow rate control valve assembly associated with the brewing basket drain hole, and a pitcher positionable adjacent to the tower so that a brewed beverage drains from the brewing basket through the drain hole into the pitcher.
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In accordance with anotl»r ,~~I~ect of the invention, a beverage preparatit,n device h<ls a water reservoir for holdin~~ . quan~iw of water for producing a beverage, a brewing basket for holding a brewin~~ material) the hrwvin'~ basket having a wall and a sloped Iloor and a drain in the sloped floor near the wall, the drain hole being positioned to allow passage of liquid to the exterior of the beverage preparation device) and means for heating water connected to the water reservoir and connected to a sl~c,wer nozzle positioned to distribute heated water into the brewing basket.
These and other aspects of the present invention are herein described in particularized detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.
Brief Description of the Figures In the accompanying Figures:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional viem of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. IA is a top view of the interior of the base of the brewing appliance of the present mventton;
FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the base of the brewing appli.nce of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a elevation view of the water reservoir and brewing basket tower of the present invention;
FIG. S is a perspective view of the brew basket of the present invention:
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vent structure in the cover of the water reservoir and brewing basket tower of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an upper region of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the tower portion of the brewing appliance of the present invention, shown without the lid;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting of the shower nozzle with a fitting in the brewing appliance of the present invention, and y ,utrnn.W'SUO~zuoc:i;
FIG. l0 is an elevation view of a tittin~~ fur the shower nozzle of the brewing appliance oC the present invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred and Alternate Embodiments As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the brewing appliance of the invention includes a water rcs~rvoir and brewing basket tower indicated ~~cnerally at 10, and a pitcher 12 which is positionable adjacent to the tower 10. The tower 10 has a base 14 which supports a water reservoir 16. A brewing basket 18 is positioned within an upper region of the water reservoir, <ind is supported by a mounting ring 20 attached to a top of the water reservoir wall 17. The tower 10 also has a lid 11 which may be hingedly attached to a side wall of the tower.
Water drains from the water reservoir into a heated conduit 22 mounted in the base 14, and connected to a heated water conduit 24 which extends and attaches to a fitting 26 which is connected to a shower nozzle 28, which extends out over the brewing basket 18.
A one-way check valve (not shown) in the conduit between the water reservoir 16 and the heated conduit prevents heated water from entering the water reservoir 16. The shower nozzle 28 is swivel mounted at fitting 26 within a generally horizontal t7ange section 21 of the mounting ring 20.
The shower nozzle 28 can thus be swiveled away from the brewing basket 18 to allow the brewing basket to be removed from the tower.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, fitting 26, which is preferably formed integrally with or attached to mounting ring 20, has opposed helical tracks 261 which receive pins 281 which extend from the distending end 282 of the shower nozzle 28. The pins 281 are deflectable so that once they engage with the helical tracks 261 the shower nozzle 28 is permanently engaged with fitting 26. As the shower nozzle 28 is rotated within the tracks 261 to the side of the mounting ring 20, the shower nozzle 28 is raised to the extent of the helix, thereby preventing the lid 11 from being put in a closed position, unless the shower nozzle 28 is properly positioned over the brewing basket.
As shown in FIGS. lA and 1B, the heated conduit 22 may be mounted in a generally vertical orientation within the base 14 of the tower 10, by attachment to a bracket 13 which is secured to a mounting block 113 on the interior side of the base 14. A
thermostat 70 is also mounted on the bracket 13 in contact with or close proximity to the heated conduit 22. In the mounting block 113 is a spring biased actuator button operative to contact a reset plunger 71 of the thermostat 70, which operates to initiate a power supply to the heated conduit 22.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, the shower nozzle 28 is preferably a generally closed conduit which expand at the distal end and have an array of generally radially spaced spray orifices 27 at the frontal wall or edge of the shower nozzle. The spray orifices 27 are generally elongate vertical openings extending from a bottom of the shower head conduit, each having a generally arched top. This design has been found to provide improved water distribution over the entire brewing basket 18 and, of course, the brewing material therein.
This is a critical aspect of the brewing performance of the appliance) as increased or maaicnized distribution of heated water over the brewin~= material maximizes extraction of 'J ~ ~I-I~JCV'",=- I>c)c.l;
fl,mcrr, and reduces c>r eliminates ,,ny puolin'1 ot~ waUr within the hr~wina haskut which can result in uvert7ow from the basket.
The tower IO has a recess 30 on one side conti~~ured to receive a portion of the pitcher 12 as it is positioned adjacent the tower. The base 14 includes a docking station 15 (also shown in FIG. 4) which engages with a correspondingly formed recess and notch 17 in a lower re:~ioo of the pitcher 12. The notch 17 of the pitcher 12 is aligned with a spout 19 on the pitcher. A slide mounted spout cover 21 is incorporated into the pitcher lid 23. A portion of the pitcher lid 23 extends over the pitcher handle 25.
The brewing basket 18 has a generally tapered side wall 29, a generally vertical side wall 31, and an annular flange 32 at the top of the side walls which overlaps the mounting ring 20. A handle 33 extends from the flange to provide a grip for removing the brewing basket from the tower so that the water reservoir 16 can be filled. The brewing basket 18 fits within the mounting ring 20 in an indexed manner so that the bottom floor 34 of the basket is sloped toward the recessed side 30 of the tower in which the pitcher 12 fits. A
brewing basket drain hole 36 is preferably located at the lowermost point of the sloped brewing basket floor 34, but may alternatively be located anywhere in the floor 34. Also, any location of the drain hole where drainage therethrough leads to the exterior of the tower, i.e. , to the recess 30 or any other point of exit, is within the scope of the invention. The drain hole 36 is thus positioned above the recess 30 in the tower, and over the top opening to the spout 19 of the pitcher 12 when the pitcher is engaged in the docking station 15 within tower recess 30.
By this arrangement, as water is introduced into the brewing basket 18, and passes through a brewing material and filter in the brewing basket, a brewed beverage drains from the brewing basket 18 through drain hole 36 into the spout 19 of pitcher 12.
The rate of flow of liquid through the brewing basket is controlled by a valve assembly 40 integral with the brewing basket 18. The valve assembly 40 includes a frusto-conical valve element 42 positioned within the drain hole 36 by a valve arm 44. The valve arm 44 is generally vertically pivotally mounted at end 46, and biased away from the basket floor 34 by a spring 45. The valve arm 44 extends past the valve element 42 and turns upward outside of the outer wall of the brewing basket, terminating in a cam follower 48. A
sliding cam flow t-ate eontro~e~A is mounted within a channel 52 in the side wall of the tower 10.
As best shown in FIG. 5) the controller 50 has an angled cam surface 54 on which the cam follower 48 rides. As the controller is laterally translated within the channel 52, the cam follower 48 is moved up or down upon the angled cam surface 54, pivoting the valve arm 44 about end 46, and thereby moving the position of the valve element 42 relative to the drain hole 36. For example, with the controller laterally slid to position the uppermost point of the cam surface 54 under the cam follower 48, the valve element 42 is at a maximum advanced position in the drain hole 36) thus restricting the liquid flow rate from the brewing basket 18.
The valve element 42 may also include an axial bore so that even with the valve element in the most advanced position within the drain hole 36, a minimum tlow rate through the valve element is assured. With the controller 50 laterally slid to position the cam follower ;~ ~,a~~c>rr~csom~ uoc: ~ ;
_ ... .. ..,~...._ _ ~l~ at tltc lowest point of the cam surface 54) the valve clement 42 is substanti,lf_ retracted I~ron~ the drain hole 36) thus maximizing the tlow rate from the brewing bashct. The controller is provided with a slide handle 58 which is accessible from the exterior of the twv~r L0.
In the event that drain hole 36 becomes completely occluded, the brewing basket 18 is provided with an alternate drain hole 361, as shown in FIG. 8, at an elevation sli;~htly above drain hole 36.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) the lid 11 of the tower 10 is provided with openings 60 which allow steam) generated from the hot water introduced to the brewing chamber, to escape and thereby reduce condensation and heat level on the interior of the lid. As shown in FIG. 6) the openings 60 are novelty configured with a deflector 62 which is countersunk or offset from the opening 60 but generally aligned with the opening) creating gaps 63 between the deflector 62 and the opening 60 through which steam escapes.
As shown in FIG. 7, the lid 11 includes a tlange 111 which directs any condensate which does collect on the interior of the lid into the brewing basket 18. Ribs on the interior of the lid 18 direct the condensate to flow toward flange 111 when the lid 11 is in the opened position shown. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) the mounting ring 20 includes a drip ledge 201 which extends out beyond the wall of the tower 10 to catch any condensate from the lid and direct it toward the brewing basket.
To prepare a hot brewed beverage such as tea or coffee with the appliance, the tower lid 11 is opened and the shower nozzle 28 swung to the side of the mounting ring 20. The brewing basket 18 removed, and the water reservoir 10 filled with a sufficient amount of water. The maximum water level within the reservoir is near the bottom of the brewing basket. The brewing basket 18 is loaded with a filter such as a paper filter and a brewing material such as coffee grounds or tea leaves or other flavoring agent, and positioned within the tower as described. The shower nozzle 28 is repositioned over the brewing basket. The lid 11 is closed. The flow rate (or brew strength) is selected by operation of slide 58 of the valve assembly 40. The pitcher 12 is positioned adjacent to the tower and engaged in the docking station 15 as described. A power control circuit (not shown) connected to the heated conduit 22 is activated to provide thermal energy to the heated conduit to begin heating water from the water reservoir and transferring heated water to the brewing basket 18. A brewed beverage then drains from the brewing basket into the pitcher as described.
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BREWING BASKET AND AN ADJACENTLY POSITIONED PITCHER RECEPTACLE
Field of the Invention The present invention pertains generally to appliances for preparing brewed beverages such as coffee or tea, and more particularly to automated brewing appliances which have a brewing water reservoir) a heat source for heating water received from the water reservoir, a brewing chamber for holding a brewing material such as coffee or tea, and a receptacle such as a pitcher or carafe.
Background of the Invention Many different types of automated brewing appliances have been developed to rapidly produce hot brewed beverages. One of the most common arrangements is to provide a water reservoir which drains into a heated conduit. As water within the conduit is heated, it expands and is forced from the heated conduit into a brewing chamber where it is distributed over coffee grounds or tea leaves. The resulting brewed beverage then drains directly from the brewing chamber into a pitcher or carafe which is placed underneath the brewing chamber.
Another common arrangement is to position the heated conduit underneath a platform on which the pitcher is held in order to transfer some heat to the pitcher and the beverage contents.
Some disadvantages with this type of design are that the brewing chamber must be made to extend out over the pitcher platform. When the pitcher is removed from the heated platform, excess liquid in the brewing chamber may drip directly onto the platform. Also, the brewing chamber and the pitcher platform generally extend out in front of the appliance, requiring the water reservoir to be at the back and therefore somewhat difficult to access and fill. Also, the pitcher or carafe must be made of a heat resistant material such as glass or metal, and is therefore not typically insulated with less heat resistant materials such as plastic and foam.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a novel brewing appliance wherein the pitcher is positioned adjacent to a water reservoir and brewing basket tower. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a brewing appliance includes a tower including a water reservoir, a brewing basket, and a heated conduit connected to the water reservoir and connected to the brewing basket) the brewing basket having a sloped door and a drain hole at an edge of the sloped floor, a flow rate control valve assembly associated with the brewing basket drain hole, and a pitcher positionable adjacent to the tower so that a brewed beverage drains from the brewing basket through the drain hole into the pitcher.
I .1C'( ) I-r.JC~Sn~=' I)(l l ;
In accordance with anotl»r ,~~I~ect of the invention, a beverage preparatit,n device h<ls a water reservoir for holdin~~ . quan~iw of water for producing a beverage, a brewing basket for holding a brewin~~ material) the hrwvin'~ basket having a wall and a sloped Iloor and a drain in the sloped floor near the wall, the drain hole being positioned to allow passage of liquid to the exterior of the beverage preparation device) and means for heating water connected to the water reservoir and connected to a sl~c,wer nozzle positioned to distribute heated water into the brewing basket.
These and other aspects of the present invention are herein described in particularized detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.
Brief Description of the Figures In the accompanying Figures:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional viem of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. IA is a top view of the interior of the base of the brewing appliance of the present mventton;
FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the base of the brewing appli.nce of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a elevation view of the water reservoir and brewing basket tower of the present invention;
FIG. S is a perspective view of the brew basket of the present invention:
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vent structure in the cover of the water reservoir and brewing basket tower of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an upper region of the brewing appliance of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the tower portion of the brewing appliance of the present invention, shown without the lid;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting of the shower nozzle with a fitting in the brewing appliance of the present invention, and y ,utrnn.W'SUO~zuoc:i;
FIG. l0 is an elevation view of a tittin~~ fur the shower nozzle of the brewing appliance oC the present invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred and Alternate Embodiments As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the brewing appliance of the invention includes a water rcs~rvoir and brewing basket tower indicated ~~cnerally at 10, and a pitcher 12 which is positionable adjacent to the tower 10. The tower 10 has a base 14 which supports a water reservoir 16. A brewing basket 18 is positioned within an upper region of the water reservoir, <ind is supported by a mounting ring 20 attached to a top of the water reservoir wall 17. The tower 10 also has a lid 11 which may be hingedly attached to a side wall of the tower.
Water drains from the water reservoir into a heated conduit 22 mounted in the base 14, and connected to a heated water conduit 24 which extends and attaches to a fitting 26 which is connected to a shower nozzle 28, which extends out over the brewing basket 18.
A one-way check valve (not shown) in the conduit between the water reservoir 16 and the heated conduit prevents heated water from entering the water reservoir 16. The shower nozzle 28 is swivel mounted at fitting 26 within a generally horizontal t7ange section 21 of the mounting ring 20.
The shower nozzle 28 can thus be swiveled away from the brewing basket 18 to allow the brewing basket to be removed from the tower.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, fitting 26, which is preferably formed integrally with or attached to mounting ring 20, has opposed helical tracks 261 which receive pins 281 which extend from the distending end 282 of the shower nozzle 28. The pins 281 are deflectable so that once they engage with the helical tracks 261 the shower nozzle 28 is permanently engaged with fitting 26. As the shower nozzle 28 is rotated within the tracks 261 to the side of the mounting ring 20, the shower nozzle 28 is raised to the extent of the helix, thereby preventing the lid 11 from being put in a closed position, unless the shower nozzle 28 is properly positioned over the brewing basket.
As shown in FIGS. lA and 1B, the heated conduit 22 may be mounted in a generally vertical orientation within the base 14 of the tower 10, by attachment to a bracket 13 which is secured to a mounting block 113 on the interior side of the base 14. A
thermostat 70 is also mounted on the bracket 13 in contact with or close proximity to the heated conduit 22. In the mounting block 113 is a spring biased actuator button operative to contact a reset plunger 71 of the thermostat 70, which operates to initiate a power supply to the heated conduit 22.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, the shower nozzle 28 is preferably a generally closed conduit which expand at the distal end and have an array of generally radially spaced spray orifices 27 at the frontal wall or edge of the shower nozzle. The spray orifices 27 are generally elongate vertical openings extending from a bottom of the shower head conduit, each having a generally arched top. This design has been found to provide improved water distribution over the entire brewing basket 18 and, of course, the brewing material therein.
This is a critical aspect of the brewing performance of the appliance) as increased or maaicnized distribution of heated water over the brewin~= material maximizes extraction of 'J ~ ~I-I~JCV'",=- I>c)c.l;
fl,mcrr, and reduces c>r eliminates ,,ny puolin'1 ot~ waUr within the hr~wina haskut which can result in uvert7ow from the basket.
The tower IO has a recess 30 on one side conti~~ured to receive a portion of the pitcher 12 as it is positioned adjacent the tower. The base 14 includes a docking station 15 (also shown in FIG. 4) which engages with a correspondingly formed recess and notch 17 in a lower re:~ioo of the pitcher 12. The notch 17 of the pitcher 12 is aligned with a spout 19 on the pitcher. A slide mounted spout cover 21 is incorporated into the pitcher lid 23. A portion of the pitcher lid 23 extends over the pitcher handle 25.
The brewing basket 18 has a generally tapered side wall 29, a generally vertical side wall 31, and an annular flange 32 at the top of the side walls which overlaps the mounting ring 20. A handle 33 extends from the flange to provide a grip for removing the brewing basket from the tower so that the water reservoir 16 can be filled. The brewing basket 18 fits within the mounting ring 20 in an indexed manner so that the bottom floor 34 of the basket is sloped toward the recessed side 30 of the tower in which the pitcher 12 fits. A
brewing basket drain hole 36 is preferably located at the lowermost point of the sloped brewing basket floor 34, but may alternatively be located anywhere in the floor 34. Also, any location of the drain hole where drainage therethrough leads to the exterior of the tower, i.e. , to the recess 30 or any other point of exit, is within the scope of the invention. The drain hole 36 is thus positioned above the recess 30 in the tower, and over the top opening to the spout 19 of the pitcher 12 when the pitcher is engaged in the docking station 15 within tower recess 30.
By this arrangement, as water is introduced into the brewing basket 18, and passes through a brewing material and filter in the brewing basket, a brewed beverage drains from the brewing basket 18 through drain hole 36 into the spout 19 of pitcher 12.
The rate of flow of liquid through the brewing basket is controlled by a valve assembly 40 integral with the brewing basket 18. The valve assembly 40 includes a frusto-conical valve element 42 positioned within the drain hole 36 by a valve arm 44. The valve arm 44 is generally vertically pivotally mounted at end 46, and biased away from the basket floor 34 by a spring 45. The valve arm 44 extends past the valve element 42 and turns upward outside of the outer wall of the brewing basket, terminating in a cam follower 48. A
sliding cam flow t-ate eontro~e~A is mounted within a channel 52 in the side wall of the tower 10.
As best shown in FIG. 5) the controller 50 has an angled cam surface 54 on which the cam follower 48 rides. As the controller is laterally translated within the channel 52, the cam follower 48 is moved up or down upon the angled cam surface 54, pivoting the valve arm 44 about end 46, and thereby moving the position of the valve element 42 relative to the drain hole 36. For example, with the controller laterally slid to position the uppermost point of the cam surface 54 under the cam follower 48, the valve element 42 is at a maximum advanced position in the drain hole 36) thus restricting the liquid flow rate from the brewing basket 18.
The valve element 42 may also include an axial bore so that even with the valve element in the most advanced position within the drain hole 36, a minimum tlow rate through the valve element is assured. With the controller 50 laterally slid to position the cam follower ;~ ~,a~~c>rr~csom~ uoc: ~ ;
_ ... .. ..,~...._ _ ~l~ at tltc lowest point of the cam surface 54) the valve clement 42 is substanti,lf_ retracted I~ron~ the drain hole 36) thus maximizing the tlow rate from the brewing bashct. The controller is provided with a slide handle 58 which is accessible from the exterior of the twv~r L0.
In the event that drain hole 36 becomes completely occluded, the brewing basket 18 is provided with an alternate drain hole 361, as shown in FIG. 8, at an elevation sli;~htly above drain hole 36.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) the lid 11 of the tower 10 is provided with openings 60 which allow steam) generated from the hot water introduced to the brewing chamber, to escape and thereby reduce condensation and heat level on the interior of the lid. As shown in FIG. 6) the openings 60 are novelty configured with a deflector 62 which is countersunk or offset from the opening 60 but generally aligned with the opening) creating gaps 63 between the deflector 62 and the opening 60 through which steam escapes.
As shown in FIG. 7, the lid 11 includes a tlange 111 which directs any condensate which does collect on the interior of the lid into the brewing basket 18. Ribs on the interior of the lid 18 direct the condensate to flow toward flange 111 when the lid 11 is in the opened position shown. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) the mounting ring 20 includes a drip ledge 201 which extends out beyond the wall of the tower 10 to catch any condensate from the lid and direct it toward the brewing basket.
To prepare a hot brewed beverage such as tea or coffee with the appliance, the tower lid 11 is opened and the shower nozzle 28 swung to the side of the mounting ring 20. The brewing basket 18 removed, and the water reservoir 10 filled with a sufficient amount of water. The maximum water level within the reservoir is near the bottom of the brewing basket. The brewing basket 18 is loaded with a filter such as a paper filter and a brewing material such as coffee grounds or tea leaves or other flavoring agent, and positioned within the tower as described. The shower nozzle 28 is repositioned over the brewing basket. The lid 11 is closed. The flow rate (or brew strength) is selected by operation of slide 58 of the valve assembly 40. The pitcher 12 is positioned adjacent to the tower and engaged in the docking station 15 as described. A power control circuit (not shown) connected to the heated conduit 22 is activated to provide thermal energy to the heated conduit to begin heating water from the water reservoir and transferring heated water to the brewing basket 18. A brewed beverage then drains from the brewing basket into the pitcher as described.
~: ~sco~rtvcsoo> >. ooc: i ;
Claims (10)
1. A beverage brewing appliance for preparing a brewed beverage with heated water and a brewing material, the beverage brewing appliance comprising:
a tower including a water reservoir, a brewing basket, and a heated conduit connected to the water reservoir and connected to the brewing basket, the brewing basket having a sloped floor and a drain hole at an edge of the sloped floor, and a pitcher positionable adjacent to the tower so that a brewed beverage drains from the brewing basket through the drain hole into the pitcher.
a tower including a water reservoir, a brewing basket, and a heated conduit connected to the water reservoir and connected to the brewing basket, the brewing basket having a sloped floor and a drain hole at an edge of the sloped floor, and a pitcher positionable adjacent to the tower so that a brewed beverage drains from the brewing basket through the drain hole into the pitcher.
2. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 1 wherein the tower includes a recess and a docking station adapted to cooperate with the pitcher to position the pitcher relative to the tower for a brewed beverage to drain from the brewing basket into the pitcher.
3. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 1 wherein the brewing basket is supported within the tower by a mounting ring, and a fluid passageway connects the heated conduit to a shower nozzle mounted in the mounting ring, the shower nozzle being positionable over the brewing basket to distribute heated water into the brewing basket.
4. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 1 wherein the brewing basket has a drain hole valve assembly having a pivotally mounted valve arm which movably supports a valve element relative to the brewing basket drain hole.
5. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 3 wherein the shower nozzle is in the form of a conduit having openings at an end of the conduit configured to distribute water over the interior of the brewing basket.
6. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 4 wherein the drain hole valve assembly is connected to a sliding cam mechanism accessible from the exterior of the tower.
7. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 1 wherein the brewing basket is positioned within the tower at a height greater than a height of a spout of the pitcher.
8. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 1 wherein the tower further comprises a lid which covers the brewing basket.
9. The beverage brewing appliance of claim 1 wherein the pitcher comprises a lid, the lid having a movable segment configured to cover an opening to a spout of the pitcher in one position, and to open a passageway through the spout of the pitcher in another position.
10. A beverage preparation device comprising a housing having:
a water reservoir for holding a quantity of water for producing a beverage.
a brewing basket for holding a brewing material, the brewing basket having a wall and a sloped floor and a drain in the sloped floor near the wall, the drain hole being positioned to allow passage of liquid to the exterior of the beverage preparation device, and means for heating water connected to the water reservoir and connected to a shower nozzle positioned to distribute heated water into the brewing basket.
a water reservoir for holding a quantity of water for producing a beverage.
a brewing basket for holding a brewing material, the brewing basket having a wall and a sloped floor and a drain in the sloped floor near the wall, the drain hole being positioned to allow passage of liquid to the exterior of the beverage preparation device, and means for heating water connected to the water reservoir and connected to a shower nozzle positioned to distribute heated water into the brewing basket.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/054,846 US5964143A (en) | 1998-04-03 | 1998-04-03 | Brewing appliance having a tower with a water reservoir and brewing basket and an adjacently positioned pitcher receptacle |
| US09/054,846 | 1998-04-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2266065A1 true CA2266065A1 (en) | 1999-10-03 |
Family
ID=21993888
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002266065A Abandoned CA2266065A1 (en) | 1998-04-03 | 1999-04-06 | Brewing appliance having a tower with a water reservoir and brewing basket and an adjacently positioned pitcher receptacle |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5964143A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2266065A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002089646A1 (en) | 2001-05-07 | 2002-11-14 | Bunn-O-Matic Corporation | Dripless funnel assembly |
| US20060283332A1 (en) | 2001-12-11 | 2006-12-21 | Garman Michael H | Hot beverage maker |
| US20060196365A1 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2006-09-07 | Garman Michael H | Combined water cooler and hot beverage maker |
| US6564975B1 (en) | 2001-12-11 | 2003-05-20 | Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex, Inc. | Hot beverage maker with cup-actuated dispenser |
| US7461586B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2008-12-09 | Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. | Hot beverage maker with cup-actuated, low-drip dispenser |
| US6827004B2 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2004-12-07 | Sunbeam Products, Inc. | Drip coffee maker with horizontal spray shower head |
| FR2855734B1 (en) * | 2003-06-06 | 2005-07-08 | Seb Sa | COFFEE FILTER WITH HOT WATER DISTRIBUTION IN THE COVER. |
| US6971304B1 (en) * | 2004-11-24 | 2005-12-06 | Uni-Splendor Corp. | Coffee making device |
| US7252035B2 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2007-08-07 | Uni-Splender Corp | Coffee maker |
| US20060283330A1 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2006-12-21 | Uni-Splendor Corp. | Coffee maker with height adjustment mechanism |
| CN2897100Y (en) * | 2006-04-10 | 2007-05-09 | 厦门灿坤实业股份有限公司 | Coffee maker with improved coffee-feeding mechanism |
| US8567155B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2013-10-29 | Tom W Waugh | Centrifugally cast pole and method |
| US7975602B2 (en) * | 2007-11-09 | 2011-07-12 | Herbst Andrew F | Method, system and apparatus for housing and dispensing liquid |
| IT1393179B1 (en) * | 2008-08-12 | 2012-04-11 | Lavazza Luigi Spa | PORTA-CAPSULE GROUP, AND CAPSULE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A BEVERAGE, IN PARTICULAR COFFEE |
| US8006612B2 (en) * | 2009-02-19 | 2011-08-30 | Uni-Splendor Corp. | Hot drink maker |
| US20140332478A1 (en) | 2012-05-13 | 2014-11-13 | Aquasana, Inc. | Pitchers, filtration units, and filtration systems and methods |
| WO2015069491A1 (en) * | 2013-11-08 | 2015-05-14 | Helen Of Troy Limited | Hot beverage maker |
| AU2015218305A1 (en) * | 2014-02-14 | 2016-09-29 | Remington Designs, Llc | Beverage brewer and related methods for brewing beverages |
| CN105476478B (en) * | 2014-09-17 | 2019-07-23 | 博西华电器（江苏）有限公司 | Beverage dispenser |
| US10517420B2 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2019-12-31 | Bunn-O-Matic Corporation | Accelerated brewing system, method, and apparatus |
| US20170119196A1 (en) * | 2017-01-17 | 2017-05-04 | Hui-Ju Chen | Thermo tea maker |
| GB2567213B (en) * | 2017-10-06 | 2020-09-16 | Strix Ltd | Liquid heating appliances and flow heaters |
| CN109106209B (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2020-11-03 | 苏州市信睦知识产权服务有限公司 | Thermos with scale removal heat preservation |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3958502A (en) * | 1975-05-16 | 1976-05-25 | Cory Food Services, Inc. | Beverage brewer |
| FR2524790B1 (en) * | 1982-04-09 | 1986-07-25 | Moulinex Sa | HOUSEHOLD COFFEE MAKER |
| DE3416403A1 (en) * | 1984-05-03 | 1985-11-07 | Braun Ag, 6000 Frankfurt | ELECTRIC COFFEE MACHINE WITH DRIP PROTECTION VALVE ON FILTER BOTTOM |
| US4676148A (en) * | 1986-04-24 | 1987-06-30 | Bunn-O-Matic Corporation | Coffee-making machines |
| US4825759A (en) * | 1987-01-09 | 1989-05-02 | Wearever-Proctorsilex, Inc. | ADC coffee maker |
| DE3743050C1 (en) * | 1987-12-18 | 1989-02-09 | Braun Ag | Beverage preparation machine |
| US5063836A (en) * | 1989-01-25 | 1991-11-12 | Cafe 98 Industries Ltd. | Coffee making machine and components thereof |
| US5231918A (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1993-08-03 | Mr. Coffee, Inc. | Appliance for brewing coffee or tea |
| US5251541A (en) * | 1991-11-01 | 1993-10-12 | Bunn-O-Matic Corporation | Home brewer |
| US5219394A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1993-06-15 | The Singer Company N.V. | Appliance for brewing beverages |
| US5687637A (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 1997-11-18 | Healthometer, Inc. | Automatic tea brewing device |
| GB2318503B (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 2000-06-14 | Tsann Kuen Usa Inc | Tea making device |
-
1998
- 1998-04-03 US US09/054,846 patent/US5964143A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-04-06 CA CA002266065A patent/CA2266065A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5964143A (en) | 1999-10-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |