HOT BEVERAGE MAKER

Abstract

A hot beverage maker includes a stand, and a filter basket and brewed beverage tank positioned on the stand. The brewed beverage tank is freely and removably positioned on the stand. The brewed beverage tank has a reservoir portion and an outlet port and valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion. The filter basket is mounted above the reservoir portion. The reservoir portion is adapted to hold a brewed liquid that has passed through the filter basket, and the outlet port and valve are positioned at substantially the bottom of the reservoir portion The stand includes a recess under the brewed beverage tank for at least partially receiving a vessel for holding a hot beverage. The stand defines a front side, and the recess is positioned substantially in the front side of the stand, and the brewed beverage tank is removable from the stand substantially in the direction of the front of the stand.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/838,307, filed May 4, 2004; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/720,769, filed Nov. 24, 2003; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/403,438, filed Mar. 31, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,960; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/011,759, filed Dec. 11, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,975. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/439,100, filed Jan. 10, 2003. Each of these applications/patents is incorporated by reference herein.

This invention relates to a convenient hot beverage maker having a cup-actuated dispenser thereby allowing a user to dispense any amount of beverage desired. The dispenser is positioned on the bottom of a carafe removably mounted on the stand of the hot beverage maker. The dispenser further includes a low-drip, actuator mechanism that reduces or prevents excess drippage of brewed beverage after the dispenser shut-off valve shuts off flow from the carafe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types and styles of hot beverage makers, especially coffee makers, are known and have been sold for many years.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of prior devices and provide a hot beverage maker having a cup-actuated dispenser. A user can easily dispense only as much coffee into a cup or mug as the user desires by using a single hand.

In one embodiment, a hot beverage maker comprises a stand, and a filter basket and brewed beverage tank positioned on the stand. The brewed beverage tank is freely and removably positioned on the stand. The brewed beverage tank comprises a reservoir portion and an outlet port, and valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion. The filter basket is mounted above the reservoir portion. The reservoir portion is adapted to hold a brewed liquid that has passed through the filter basket, and the outlet port and the valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion are positioned at substantially the bottom of the reservoir portion. The stand further comprises a recess under the brewed beverage tank, and the recess for at least partially receiving a vessel for holding a hot beverage. And further wherein the stand defines a front side, and the recess is positioned substantially in the front side of the stand, and the brewed beverage tank is removable from the stand substantially in the direction of the front of the stand. The hot beverage maker may further comprise a dispenser actuator connected to the valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion. The dispenser actuator is biased to keep the valve in a closed position, and the dispenser actuator is movable by a vessel for holding a hot beverage to change the valve to an open position. The dispenser actuator may be positioned in the stand. The dispenser actuator may comprise a push-button. The brewed beverage tank may comprise a transparent window thereby allowing a user to observe the brewed beverage level in the reservoir portion.

In another embodiment, a hot beverage maker comprises a stand, a filter basket, and a carafe. The filter basket is positioned on the stand above the carafe. The carafe is freely and removably positioned on the stand. The stand comprises a recess under the carafe. The carafe comprises an open top for pouring liquid from the carafe and an outlet port positioned on the bottom of the carafe. The carafe comprises a valve positioned in the outlet port for controlling flow of liquid from the carafe through the outlet port, the valve biased to a closed position and which is moveable by a user to an open position. The hot beverage maker may further comprise a dispenser actuator connected to the valve and adapted to move the valve from the closed position to the open position. The dispenser actuator may be positioned in the stand. The dispenser actuator may comprise a push-button. The carafe may comprise a handle, and the dispenser actuator may be positioned in the handle and is adapted to be manually operated by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a coffee maker in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coffee maker shown in FIG. 1 with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coffee maker shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the brew tank removed and with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, cross sectional view of the coffee maker shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevation cross sectional views detailing the dispenser actuator mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a brew tank and filter basket.

FIG. 8 is a series of views of a lever mechanism in accordance with an alternative of a dispenser for use with a hot beverage maker as described herein. The views A-F are top plan, front elevation, bottom, top perspective, side elevation, and bottom perspective views respectively.

FIG. 9 is a series of views of the same lever arm shown in FIG. 8 also including the sealing ring mounted within the plug.

FIG. 10 is a pair of diagrams, side elevation and perspective views respectively, of an alternative dispenser actuator mechanism in accordance with the present invention when in the closed position.

FIG. 11 are side elevation and perspective views of the same dispenser actuator mechanism shown in FIG. 10 except that the mechanism is in the open position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hot beverage maker in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 13 is a side elevation, cross-sectional view of the hot beverage maker shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a filter basket that may be used with the hot beverage maker shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a coffee maker that is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Naturally, a design engineer having ordinary skill with the assembly of coffee makers will be able to create a coffee maker that incorporates the teachings of the present invention, but which may look different and incorporate different, alternative parts.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a coffee maker 10 that is made up of a stand 11, fresh water reservoir 12, brewed beverage tank 13, and a lid 14. The stand 11 forms the base of coffee maker 10 and supports the reservoir 12 and tank 13. The stand 11 includes a recess 20 in which is situated a push-button 21. Adjacent to recess 20 are the electrical switches 22 that operate the coffee maker 10 and allow the user to, for instance, program a start time or set the time of the clock 23. Of course, these electrical switches 22 may be analog or digital. Fewer or more controls may be applicable for a given model of coffee maker.

The fresh water reservoir 12 has transparent sidewalls 30. The transparent sidewalls 30 allow users to easily and immediately determine whether and how much fresh water is in the coffee maker 10. Of course, nontransparent walls may be used, or a vertical window slot could be used. A water level indicator may also facilitate the ability of a user to accurately gauge the water volume.

The fresh water reservoir 12 rests on the stand 11. The fresh water reservoir 12 wraps partially around the brewed beverage tank 13. The brewed beverage tank 13 also rests on the stand 11. The brewed beverage tank 13 has a transparent window 25 which allows a user to observe very easily and quickly how much brewed beverage is contained within the tank 13. Finally, a lid 14 is rotatably connected to back wall of the reservoir 12. The lid 14 is adapted to cover both the fresh water reservoir 12 and the brewed beverage tank 13.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 except that the lid 14 is rotated up to the open position in FIG. 2. With the lid 14 open, there can be seen a removable filter basket 40 that is mountable with the brewed beverage tank 13. The showerhead 35 is connected to the lid 14 and rotates up and down with the lid. Support arm 36 is a channel connecting the showerhead 35 to the hot water tube shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a still further view of the coffee maker 10 wherein the brewed beverage tank has been removed The stand 11 includes a platform 50 which is adapted to support the brewed beverage tank shown in the other figures. The apertures 37 on the bottom of the showerhead 35 allow for the even distribution of water into the filter basket when the showerhead/lid is in the down position. The end of the arm portion 36 of the showerhead 35 includes an aperture 38. When the lid 14 is rotated open, the aperture 38 rotates around and diverts the flow of hot water back into the fresh water reservoir 12.

The platform 50 includes a warmer plate 51 which is adapted to engage the bottom of the brewed beverage tank to keep a brewed beverage inside the tank warm. The platform 50 is molded in part into a recess that is adapted to receive in a mating fashion the molded male portion 110 (see FIG. 7) of the bottom of a brew tank. In this mating relationship, the tank is properly aligned and retained in position in the stand 11. Referring briefly back to FIG. 2, hooks 42 engage the top of the fresh water tank walls 30 to work with the male portion 110 to properly position the tank 13 on the stand 11. Finally, the platform 50 includes an aperture 53 from which protrudes a lever that makes up part of the dispenser actuator. (See FIGS. 4-6).

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the coffee maker 10 that provides a view of the operational components of the coffee maker. The portions of the coffee maker 10 not previously shown include the water tube 60 which carries heated water from the hot water heater element 61 up to the pipe 62 and then showerhead 35 via the arm 36. The top of the pipe 62 is hingedably connected to the end of the arm 36. The arm 36 includes an aperture 38 which is aligned with an opening to the pipe 62 when the showerhead 35 and lid 14 are in the down position as shown. However, when the showerhead 35/lid 14 are swiveled upwardly, the aperture 38 is rotated around and hot water is rerouted back into the fresh water reservoir 12 to prevent any water flow out of the showerhead when it is in the up position. Although not shown, there is a further tube that is adjacent to the tube 60 that carries the fresh cold water from the fresh water reservoir 12 through the heater coil 61 to the hot water pipe 62 as shown.

The brewed beverage tank 13 is made up of the filter basket 40 that has an aperture 41 at the bottom of the filter basket to allow the infused water to drip into the reservoir portion 45 of the brewed beverage tank 13. An outlet port 70 is the aperture through which the brewed beverage may be allowed to exit the brewed beverage tank 13. The filter basket 40 is conventional in structure and dimension in order to be easily usable. As is also evident from FIG. 4, the bottom of the reservoir portion 45 slopes generally from the back of the coffeemaker(i.e. the fresh water reservoir 12) to the front where the port 70 is fixed. This configuration allows full drainage out of the bottom towards the front of the tank 13 where a user's cup may be easily placed for dispensing.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown one embodiment of a dispenser actuator mechanism in accordance with the present invention FIGS. 5 and 6 demonstrate the mechanism in the biased closed position (FIG. 5) and in the open position as when a cup 100 is pressing against the push button 21 (FIG. 6).

Push button 21 is connected to one end of lever 80. Lever 80 has a pivot point 81 that is a hinge mounted behind the front face 82 of the stand 11. The opposite end 83 of the lever 80 protrudes through aperture 53 (see FIG. 3) that makes up a portion of the platform 50 of the stand 11. A second lever 90 is mounted onto the bottom 76 of the brew tank 13. The lever 90 has a first end 91 and a second end 93 that are on opposite ends with a pivot 92 mounted on the bottom portion 76. Further, a spring 95 biases the first end 91 of the lever 90 downwardly so that the second end 93 is biased in a downward position. Plug 94 is adapted to seal the outlet port 70 of the brew tank 13. The plug 94 is connected to second end 93 and is urged upwardly or downwardly based on the movement of the second end 93 of the second lever 90. In the closed position shown in FIG. 5, the spring 95 urges the first end 91 downwardly so that the second end 93 is urged downwardly. Accordingly, the plug 94 is securely sealed to the outlet port 70. Alternatively, as demonstrated in FIG. 6, end 83 of the first lever 80 urges the first end 91 of the second lever 90 against the bias of the spring 95. This moves the second end 93 of the second lever 90 upwardly to thereby open the outlet port 70 and allow brewed beverage to flow out of the brew tank 13.

While the “two-piece” actuator illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is one type of cup-actuated dispensing means, there are, of course, alternative types of dispenser actuators. There are numerous types of electronic dispensers that are well known in the refrigerator door ice and water dispensers. Similarly, other types of mechanical dispensers may be designed to accommodate the specific engineering needs of a given coffee maker structure.

FIG. 7 displays further embodiments of the brew tank 113 and filter basket 140. The filter basket 140 is different from the earlier described filter basket 40 in that it includes a handle 141 for making removal very simple. Similarly, the alternative brew tank 113 includes a handle 111 to facilitate handling. The brew tank 113 also has a transparent window 125 allowing a user to observe the brewed beverage volume inside. A spout 112 improves the use of the brew tank as a fresh water bucket to transfer fresh water from a sink or other source and pour it into the fresh water reservoir 12. Finally, lip 114 is merely a design variation of the hooks 140 which allow the brew tank 113 to engage the top of the fresh water reservoir walls 30 to secure the brew tank 113 in place once it is mounted on the platform 50. The male portion 110 is the molded piece of the bottom of the brew tank 113 which is received in the platform 50.

The present development includes a valve that closes the flow from a reservoir wherein the lower end of the valve has a reduced area for coffee or other brewed beverage to drip from. Specifically, the plug portion of the valve arm lever is made in the shape of a geometry that enhances the efficient flow of liquid across the plug body.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate an alternative dispenser actuator mechanism having reduced drip properties. Turning first to FIGS. 8 and 9 and the various views of the lever arm portion of a dispenser actuator mechanism, there is shown the lever arm 150. This lever arm 150 corresponds functionally to the second lever 90 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The lever arm includes a plug 151. The plug 151 is made up of a seal ring 152 that is mounted onto a stem 153. (Alternatively, the seal ring 152 and stem 153 may be a single, integral component.) The seal ring 152 is mounted on the top of the stem 153 in the groove 154 defined by the stem. The bottom of the stem 151 is a cone 155. The cone 155 has an inverted cone shape. In the open position, liquid beverage flows around the plug 151, including across the conical portion 155. The plug 151 is carried on the end of the lever 150 by wing supports 160. The wing supports 160 are very thin so as to constitute little surface area that liquid may attach to when the liquid is draining through the outlet and across the surface of the plug 150.

FIGS. 10 and 11 demonstrate a complete dispenser actuator mechanism in operation. In FIG. 10, the push button 170 is in its outwardly, biased position as a result of the spring 171. In this position, the second lever arm component 150 is biased in its closed position where the sealing ring 152 closes the outlet port 180. The second lever 150 is biased in this closed position by spring 185. As shown in FIG. 11, when the button 170 is pushed inwardly, the end of the first lever 172 pushes against the second lever 150 and moves the plug 152 upwardly. In this way, liquid flows around the plug 152 and out of the reservoir.

In terms of physics, the demonstrated plug construction reduces drippage from the reservoir as a result of the inverted conical shape of the cone 155 on the bottom of the stem 153 of the plug 151. This conical shape creates less surface area on which the coffee may stick and then drip from once the valve is closed. Still further, this conical shape increases the laminar flow of the liquid out of the reservoir. The performance of the present construction is enhanced by a relatively stiff spring 170 holding the push button 170 in the closed, biased position. In this way, the first lever 172 does not block or hinder the operation of the bias spring 185 in the second lever 150.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a still further embodiment of the present invention. There is shown a hot beverage maker 300 having a front side 305 and a back side 306. The hot beverage maker 300 includes a stand 310 and a brewed beverage tank 325. The stand 310 includes a recess 312 on the front side 305. The recess 312 is under the brewed beverage tank 325. A drip surface 314 is formed at the bottom of the recess 312. Additionally, a push-button actuator 316 is positioned in the stand 310 and in the recess 312 of the stand. The stand 310 contains a fresh water reservoir 345. The stand 310 includes a hot water pipe tower 318 on the back side 306 of the hot beverage maker 300. The fresh water reservoir 345 includes an outlet port 346 that allows the fresh water to pass through a heater element 347. The hot water pipe 349 allows for the heated water/steam to pass up through the pipe and is ejected into a filter basket 335. The top 320 of the hot water pipe tower 318 allows for access to the hot water pipe. It also allows the filter basket 335 and the brewed beverage tank 325 to be easily removed from the hot beverage maker 300. The top is simply rotated open on the hinge 321.

The brewed beverage tank 325 is shown and has the appearance of a traditional coffee carafe. The brewed beverage tank 325 includes a handle 330 and a solid top 329. The top 329 essentially covers the filter basket 335 when the filter basket is mounted within the brewed beverage tank 325 except that there is an opening (not shown) proximate the spout 326 of the brewed beverage tank to enable the flow of hot water into the filter basket during brewing. The brewed beverage tank 325 includes a transparent window 327 that allows the user to observe the level of brewed beverage contained within the brewed beverage tank 325. The reservoir portion 324 of the brewed beverage tank 325 is that portion of the brewed beverage tank below the filter basket 335.

The bottom of the brewed beverage tank 325 includes two valves 340 and 342. The first valve 340 is a one-way valve that dispenses fresh water from the brewed beverage tank 325 into the fresh water reservoir 345. In operation, a user fills the brewed beverage tank with a desired amount of fresh water at a sink or other water source. The brewed beverage tank is then placed onto the stand 310. When in place on the stand 310, the valve 340 opens to allow fresh water to pass from the brewed beverage tank 325 into the fresh water reservoir 345. The valve 340 may be manually operated by a user to open and allow the fresh water to pass into the fresh water reservoir 345. The valve 340 must be closed during the brewing process so that the brewed beverage tank 325 may retain the brewed beverage within the reservoir portion 324 of the brewed beverage tank. An alternative to manual operation to open and close the valve 340 is a temperature sensitive or time limited valve. Other types of valves to allow only fresh water to pass through may alternatively be used.

The second valve 342 is mounted in an outlet port 343. The valve 342 controls the flow of brewed beverage out of the brewed beverage tank 325. The valve 342 is operatively linked to the push-button actuator 316 positioned in the recess 312 of the stand 310. In use, a user places a cup or other beverage vessel in the recess 312 and presses against the actuator 316. This causes the valve 342 to open and allows brewed beverage to flow out the outlet port 343 and into a beverage vessel.

An alternative way to use of the brewed beverage tank 325 is for the user to remove it as customary with a traditional carafe. The brewed beverage tank 325 is removable from the stand substantially in the direction of the front of the stand. The brewed beverage tank 325 may be used to pour the brewed beverage out of the open top of the brewed beverage tank 325. On the front of the brewed beverage tank 325 is a spout 326 that allows the user to dispense the brewed liquid in the traditional carafe fashion. The result is that the user has the option of the 1-handed, single cup at a time dispenser using the valve 342 and the push-button actuator 316. Alternatively, a user can use the brewed beverage tank 325 as a carafe and pour the brewed liquid out the spout 326 in a traditional fashion.

As shown, the brewed beverage tank 325 is removable in the direction of the front side 305 of the hot beverage maker 300. This front side directional removability makes a brewed tank/carafe very accessible by a user. The illustrated embodiment also shows at least some accessibility and removability to the sides as well. The front side directional removability is distinguished from other hypothetical constructions that require a substantially vertical or back side accessibility only. Given a crowded countertop and overhead shelves, for instance, front side accessibility can be an important feature. Finally, front side removability does not mean a literal, horizontal motion only. It means that the horizontal, front side dimension of the removal function is allowed to be greater than any vertical or side direction of removal.

FIG. 14 illustrates the filter basket 335 that is mounted inside the top of the brewed beverage tank 325. The filter basket 335 is round to fit in the top of a round carafe/brewed beverage tank 325. Of course, the filter basket 335 may be whatever shape is necessary or preferred to be mounted in the top of a carafe or brewed beverage tank such as brewed beverage tank 325. A screen 339 is integral in the bottom of the filter basket 335. An adjustable flow knob 337 may be rotated by a user to increase or decrease the flow of liquid through the screen 339. The adjustable knob 337 allows a user to customize the dwell time of the hot liquid in the infusing material, for instance, coffee.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous variations, modifications and additional embodiments are possible, and all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hot beverage maker comprising a stand, and a filter basket and brewed beverage tank positioned on the stand,

wherein the brewed beverage tank is freely and removably positioned on the stand,

the brewed beverage tank comprising a reservoir portion and an outlet port, and valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion,

the filter basket mounted above the reservoir portion,

wherein the reservoir portion is adapted to hold a brewed liquid that has passed through the filter basket, and the outlet port and the valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion are positioned at substantially the bottom of the reservoir portion,

the stand further comprising a recess under the brewed beverage tank, and

the recess for at least partially receiving a vessel for holding a hot beverage; and

further wherein the stand defines a front side, and the recess is positioned substantially in the front side of the stand and the brewed beverage tank is removable from the stand substantially in the direction of the front of the stand.

2. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 1 further comprising a dispenser actuator connected to the valve for controlling flow of liquid from the reservoir portion, wherein the dispenser actuator is biased to keep the valve in a closed position, and the dispenser actuator is movable by a vessel for holding a hot beverage to change the valve to an open position.

3. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 2, wherein the dispenser actuator is positioned in the stand.

4. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 3, wherein the dispenser actuator comprises a push-button.

5. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 1, wherein the brewed beverage tank comprises a transparent window thereby allowing a user to observe the brewed beverage level in the reservoir portion.

6. A hot beverage maker comprising a stand, a filter basket, and a carafe,

wherein the filter basket is positioned on the stand above the carafe,

wherein the carafe is freely and removably positioned on the stand,

wherein the stand comprises a recess under the carafe,

wherein the carafe comprises an open top for pouring liquid from the carafe and an outlet port positioned on the bottom of the carafe, and

further wherein the carafe comprises a valve positioned in the outlet port for controlling flow of liquid from the carafe through the outlet port, the valve biased to a closed position and which is movable by a user to an open position.

7. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 6, further comprising a dispenser actuator connected to the valve and adapted to move the valve from the closed position to the open position.

8. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 7, wherein the dispenser actuator is positioned in the stand.

9. A hot beverage maker as described in claim 7, wherein the dispenser actuator comprises a push-button.