With Hot Plate Patents (Class 392/467)
  • Patent number: 12004677
    Abstract: A method for brewing Japanese-style iced coffee with a single-serve beverage dispenser includes dispensing heated water onto coffee grounds disposed within a brew chamber of a brew module, flowing brewed coffee from the brew chamber into an ice chamber of an iced coffee module, the brewed coffee flowing over ice within the ice chamber, and flowing the iced brewed coffee from the ice chamber into a container. A related single-serve beverage dispenser is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Danister Abeygunawardana
  • Patent number: 11857107
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing system, a liquid flow control assembly or member and a liquid dispenser. Preferably, the liquid dispensing system includes a single hot water tank. A liquid flow control assembly operably connected to the hot water tank is configured to direct only water from an upper portion of the hot water tank to a flavored beverage brewer (e.g., coffee or tea brewer) so that the flavored beverage is at an optimal elevated temperature when dispensed. The liquid flow control assembly or member is further configured to mix water from an upper portion of the hot water tank with water from a lower portion of the hot water tank and provide the water mixture to a hot water dispensing nozzle or outlet of the liquid dispenser to reduce the temperature of the water directed to the hot water dispensing nozzle or outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Philip A. Walton
  • Patent number: 11832759
    Abstract: A heat generating assembly (13), aiming to solve the problem of low heating efficiency in the related art such as a coffee machine. The heat generating assembly (13) includes a water inlet (133), a water outlet (134), and a heat generating body (135) provided between the water inlet (133) and the water outlet (134). The heat generating body (135) includes a heating film (132), a bottom cover (131) for the heating film, the heating film (132) is capable of generating heat upon energization to heat liquid flowing through the heat generating body (135). The heat generating assembly (13) uses film-type heating technology, the heating efficiency is high and accurate control of temperature can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: GUANGZHOU SHENGWEI ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiushan Ye
  • Patent number: 11497342
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages, in particular aromatic beverages such as espresso coffee and similar, from the brewing of a single portion (2) of a respective edible substance, whereby said apparatus (1) comprises a portion collection disposition (3) adapted for collecting said single portion (2) of edible substance and a beverage discharge (5), and is advantageously configured so as to simplify the actuation of respective portion collection disposition (3), and to be operated in portable manner, for example in the form of a compact apparatus, recipient, or transported, for example in the form of backpack, or trolley, along a given distance autonomously relative to external energy sources. The present invention further discloses a process for distribution of beverages by means of a beverage preparation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Jesús Medina Mundt
  • Patent number: 10641521
    Abstract: A device for heating a liquid includes a metal body, a conduit for the passage of the liquid to be heated, and one or more heating elements. The conduit and the one or more heating elements are incorporated in the body which forms a wall around the conduit and the one or more heating elements. Heat generated by the one or more heating elements is transmitted to the liquid to be heated by conduction. The body is provided with a plurality of openings which are separated from each other, having a depth equal to wall thickness. At least two first openings of the plurality of openings are on the conduit, and at least two second openings of the plurality of openings are on the one or more heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: I.R.C.A. S.P.A. INDUSTRIA RESISTENZE CORAZZATE E AFFINI
    Inventors: Stefano Wedam, Federico Zoppas
  • Patent number: 10125006
    Abstract: A beverage diluting and cooling container includes a floor, a peripheral sidewall, and a divider wall that divides an interior space defined by the peripheral sidewall into a first compartment that receives a cooling medium for cooling and diluting a beverage received into the first compartment. The divider wall also divides the interior space into a second compartment that holds a second quantity of a cooling medium for non-dilutingly cooling the beverage. The second compartment is sealed from the first compartment to prevent flow of liquid from the second compartment into the first compartment. One or more of the floor or a portion of the sidewall bounding the first compartment includes at least one opening therethrough to allow flow of the beverage out of the first compartment while containing the cooling medium in the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RONNOCO COFFEE, LLC
    Inventors: Jody G. Jacobsen, Dan Janson
  • Patent number: 9668606
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine for dispensing beverages comprising: a housing; a first reservoir station; a first reservoir for containing an aqueous medium, the first reservoir being connectable to said first reservoir station; an auxiliary module station for receiving an auxiliary module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Andrew Charles Bentley, Adam Martyn Lloyd
  • Patent number: 9429259
    Abstract: A line connector having a connector piece with at least one junction portion for junction connection to a media line or to an assembly, a transitional portion contiguous to the junction portion, and a flow duct. In at least the region of the transitional portion, an electrical heating element for the media line is provided in an arrangement at least partially surrounding the flow duct. The connector piece, together with the heating element, is surrounded by an outer cladding. At least one of the junction portions is designed as a hollow, cylindrical receptacle for directly plugging in the end of the media line, the media line being capable of being fastened in a materially integral manner. The junction portion including, at least in regions, a material transparent to laser beams in such a way that the media line can be fastened by way of laser welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Olav Borgmeier, Eduard Bruck, Ulrich Erb, Reiner Grundel, Martin Lechner, Frank Peters, Sascha Rosenfeldt, Otfried Schwartzkopf, Ahmet Gunduz, Marco Isenburg
  • Patent number: 9273348
    Abstract: The invention includes a method and array for replicating and analyzing one or a plurality of different target sequences in nucleic acid samples. The different reactions for replicating the target sequences occur simultaneously on an array with selectively heatable array elements with their reaction surfaces, some of which have been modified differently, and in the sample solution disposed thereabove. The target sequences are analyzed using molecular detection on reaction surfaces of said array that have been modified with probe strands. The target strands are replicated and analyzed simultaneously, successively, or alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Universitaet Rostock
    Inventors: Gerd-Uwe Flechsig, Joerg Peter
  • Patent number: 9161391
    Abstract: An electrical heating device includes a housing, which encloses a circulation chamber through which a medium can flow and into which heating ribs extend essentially parallel to one another. Each of the ribs has a U-shaped recess which opens into a uniform connecting chamber, which is separated from the circulation chamber by a partition wall provided in the region of the open ends of the U-shaped recesses, and which accommodates at least one PTC heating element that abuts oppositely situated inner sides of the U-shaped recess in heat-conducting contact. The heating ribs protrude inwards alternately from the oppositely situated inner sides of the housing. A flow passage of a meander-type flow channel is formed in the housing between the free ends of the heating ribs and the adjacent inner wall of the housing. The flow passage is closed off by a covering element on the side oppositely situated to the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eberspacher eatem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Niederer, Franz Bohlender
  • Patent number: 8920372
    Abstract: An IV line temperature controlled warming device includes a housing and a fluid cassette or cartridge that receives fluid from an IV line and includes intravenous line tubing arranged in a preformed configuration. The configuration includes tubing sections arranged in generally circular and concentric portions and a central serpentine tubing section that basically reverses fluid flow and facilitates flow in opposing directions within adjacent tubing sections. The fluid cassette is retained within the device on a base plate partially disposed within a device housing interior, while a housing cover is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the base plate. The base plate includes a heater plate disposed thereon, while the cover and heater plate each include heating elements to apply heat to opposing surfaces of the tubing cassette. The heating elements are controlled by a controller in response to measured temperatures of the heater plate and fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 8811807
    Abstract: A boiler for use in a machine for making hot beverages includes a heat diffuser with a first wall destined to be placed in contact with the liquid to be heated and a second wall opposite first wall, heating element consisting of at least one serigraphed or photo-engraved resistance arranged on second wall of heat diffuser and defining a pattern formed of at least on resistive track, a body which with first wall of heat diffuser defines a heating chamber inside which the liquid is to be heated. It also includes a bearing element shaped to bear on second wall of heat diffuser on at least one zone, the resistive track(s) being arranged on either side of the zone so that the bearing element receives at least part of the force transmitted by the liquid to heat diffuser and resulting from the pressurizing of liquid in the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Compagnie Mediterraneenne des Cafes (SA)
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Blanc, Alain Goering
  • Patent number: 8450666
    Abstract: A water boiling device includes a heat tank unit received in a machine body, a high frequency induction heater, and a heat pipe unit. The heat tank unit includes first and second heating tanks in communication with each other. Outside water can flow into the first and second heating tanks. The high frequency induction heater includes a heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils. The heat pipe unit includes first and second heating pipes. An upper section of each heating pipe is received in one of the heating tanks, and a lower section of each heating pipe extends out of the heating tanks and is inserted into the heat pipe induction coil. The first and second heating tanks will heat up to heat the water in the first and second heating tanks when a high frequency current is passed through the heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Shun-Chi Yang, Mao-Hsiung Yang, Tsung-Chuan Yang, Fang-Ming Wu, Cheng-Yen Wu
  • Patent number: 8385731
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Randall C. Arnold, Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Andrew J. McGregor, Christopher A. Miller, Donald E. Stapf
  • Patent number: 8245628
    Abstract: A coffee machine comprising an instantaneous electric heater for heating water, which is transported from a storage tank and conducted under pressure after the heating process into a brewing chamber to prepare the coffee, said chamber comprising an outlet nozzle for discharging the prepared coffee. The machine also comprises at least one sensor for recording an electric measured value that correlates to the temperature of the heated water and a control system for controlling the pump output of the pump and/or the heating output of the instantaneous heater in accordance with the measured value. The device permits a blockage of the nozzle to be identified and safely removed. The control system shuts off the pump output and/or the heating output if the measured value exceeds predefined thresholds and blocks a restart of the pump output and/or heating output for a specified blocking period by activating blocking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Magg, Andreas Mayr, Michael Steffl
  • Patent number: 8236240
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for conducting a continuous operation, flowing vapor phase decontamination in either an open loop or a closed loop. Using the method, a multi-component liquid decontaminant is vaporized and delivered into, through and out of a sealable enclosure by means of a carrier gas that is flowing into, through and out of said sealable enclosure. After leaving the enclosure, the vapor is captured in a cold-water bath and decomposed. The invention humidifies the carrier gas by passing it through a temperature controlled water bath to warm, or to cool, the carrier gas as necessary in order to bring the carrier gas to the desired temperature and humidity before it is combined with the vaporized sterilant and allowed to flow into the sealable enclosure. The concentration of the vapor sterilant and the percent saturation of the vapor sterilant are simultaneously controlled by controlling the rate at which the carrier gas flows and the rate at which the liquid sterilant is vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: James Arthur Childers, Robert Warren Childers
  • Patent number: 8170406
    Abstract: An automotive water heater having application to a windshield of an automobile, which is able to produce hot water that can be sprinkled on the windshield to melt accumulated snow and frost, in which a water heater is mainly structured from a laminated assembled heating unit side joined to a heat conducting surface of an exchange bed. Heat quantity produced by the heating unit forms a heat balance function, which transfers the heat to the exchange bed, and water flow paths are defined interior of the exchange bed. The face joining of the laminated heating units is used to facilitate maintenance of component members and allow changing of the number of heating units assembled to the exchange bed, thereby providing choice to accommodate different power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Chia-Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 7637308
    Abstract: The heating plate (1) has cavities (2), in which electrically heatable heating bodies (3) are disposed. A heat exchange medium circulated by a pump (4) transmits the heat emitted by the heating bodies (3). The heating plate is designed to obtain a uniform temperature distribution using as low a volume of heat exchange medium as possible. To this end, the cavities (2) are elongate and the heating bodies (3) are bar-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Swiss Sustainable Systems AG
    Inventors: Patrick Hofer-Noser, Jürg Zahnd, Christoph Boos
  • Patent number: 7626146
    Abstract: A heat trace assembly for heating a conduit is provided that comprises at least one preformed heat trace section adapted to be placed around at least a portion of the conduit and a connector secured to the heat trace section. The connector is adapted for coupling the heat trace section to an adjacent heat trace section, and the heat trace section and the connector have mating mechanical features to allow the heat trace section to be quickly connected to and disconnected from the conduit. Additionally, a heat trace junction is provided that preferably defines a cross configuration and comprises a plurality of arms extending from a central portion of the heat trace junction. The plurality of arms are deformable to conform to a junction within a conduit system. Thermal insulation jacket configurations are also provided in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Louis P. Steinhauser, Christopher C. Lanham
  • Patent number: 7539401
    Abstract: A heating unit includes a plurality of radiant heaters, a plurality of brackets on which the radiant heaters are mounted in a row, and a frame on which the brackets are mounted in a parallel arrangement and thereby the radiant heaters are mounted in a grid configuration, wherein each of the radiant heaters includes: a support plate substantially having a rectangular shape; a pair of connection terminals substantially perpendicularly extending, while having a space therebetween, from one surface of the support plate; and a strip-shaped heater element arranged between the pair of connection terminals and covering the one surface of the support plate, and wherein the connection terminals have connection portions projecting from the other surface of the support plated, and each of the brackets has a terminal hole into which the connection portion is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Asano Laboratories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takai, Yasuyoshi Ohashi, Kazushi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6816670
    Abstract: In a system and method for exchanging heat with a fluid, for heating the fluid, the system includes a heat exchanger, for exchanging heat with a fluid so as to heat the fluid, adapted to store heat energy, and to enable heat energy to be exchanged with the fluid to heat the fluid. The heat exchanger enables the fluid to rapidly attain and maintain a stable heated fluid temperature, and a stable fluid dispensing temperature. The system further includes a fluid inlet, for enabling the fluid to flow into the heat exchanger, and a fluid outlet, for enabling the heated fluid to flow out of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a channel therein, adapted to enable the fluid to flow thereinto and therefrom, and to enable the fluid to be retained therein for efficient and effective heating of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Renau Corporation
    Inventor: Karol Renau
  • Publication number: 20040197094
    Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus supplies heat to wash fluid via a flow path in a thermally conductive body. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive body for imparting heat to the body. Fluid in a flow path in the thermal body enveloping the heat source absorbs heat from the body. A fluid expansion member is fixed to the mass over the open ends of the fluid flow path in the thermal body. The fluid expansion member is formed of a compressible foam material having shape memory. The fluid expansion member is sealingly joinable by fasteners to the thermal body through bores formed in the peripheral edge of the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Michael T. Amberg
  • Patent number: 6714726
    Abstract: A shower fixture for installation between a shower nozzle and shower supply pipe comprising: a top lid member comprising an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, wherein the top lid member is integrally formed; an insulated main tank member for containing water, the insulated main tank member having an opening, wherein the top lid member is shaped to form a watertight seal with the periphery of the opening in the insulated main tank member, wherein the inlet pipe leads to the bottom portion of the main tank member; an electrically heated hot plate cooperating at low voltage, and attached to the insulated main tank member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeto Mitani, Michael Mitani
  • Publication number: 20030202787
    Abstract: A control circuit of an electronic coffee maker includes a sensor unit for sensing temperature of a supply pipe and for generating a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the supply pipe, a processor for determining an average brewing temperature value of the supply pipe from the temperature signal, and for generating an alerting signal when the average brewing temperature value determined thereby reaches a preset scale removal temperature value, and an alert unit connected to the processor and operable for scale removal indication upon receipt of the alerting signal from the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Publication number: 20030099469
    Abstract: A thin, flat paperboard inserter or “needle” which is longer than the blood warmer heating plates is attached to the edge of the flattened tube envelope to enter the very narrow gap between the heating plates. The inserter is fed between the heating plates and advanced to emerge from the other end of the blood warmer where it is grasped and used to pull the envelope into operational position. A high air flow hydrophobic vent with check valve to prevent reverse flow is incorporated into the drip chamber to allow automatic priming and venting of air bubbles. A conductively heated and externally insulated drip chamber holder and a patient intravenous line that is passively insulated by a small annular air space extruded as part of the tube preserve heat in the warmed fluid, improving low flow rate performance. A reusable external heater may optionally be applied to the distal portion of the patient line to provide normothermic fluid to the patient down to essentially zero flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Allan P. Bakke
  • Publication number: 20030044173
    Abstract: The invention provides a fluid heater in which the efficiency of heat transfer to a fluid is improved, downsizing of the heater itself can be achieved, and the rise time until warm water heated to a necessary temperature is supplied is shortened, which results in reduction of the power consumption. The heater includes a flat ceramic substrate (1) and a beating element formed on one surface of or in the interior of the ceramic substrate (1). The ceramic substrate (1) is made of AlN, etc. or silicon nitride, whose thermal conductivity is 50W/m·K or more. A zigzag water channel is formed by walls 6, etc., on the fluid-heating surface of the ceramic substrate (1). A plurality of fins 5 are fixed in the water channel. A heat insulating material 8 can be mounted so as to cover a surface excluding the fluid-heating surface of the ceramic substrate (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Masuhiro Natsuhara, Hirohiko Nakata
  • Publication number: 20020071665
    Abstract: Flow heater for heating liquid, provided with a heat-conducting element (1) with a channel (5) for accommodating and guiding a liquid to be heated and a heater element (2) which is thermally coupled to the heat-conducting element (1). The heat-conducting element (1) is composed of a heat distribution plate (3) and a retaining element (4). The retaining element is thermally connected to a first side (13) of the heat distribution plate (3) such that the heat distribution plate (3) and the retaining element (4) enclose the channel (5). The heater element (2) is situated at a second side (14) of the heat distribution plate (3) which faces away from the first side (13). The flow heater has a simple construction and allows of a large freedom of choice as regards the shape of the path followed by the channel (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Marinus Bliek, Rene Henk Van Der Woude
  • Patent number: 6392206
    Abstract: A modular fluid heating apparatus may be assembled from a plurality of modular heating components. Each modular heating component includes a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough and a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough. The molded sections are mated and define an enclosed area between the molded sections. The first and second openings are aligned to form a fluid tight passage through the modular heating component. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections in the enclosed area. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material fastened to the first surface of the supporting substrate. The resistance heating material forms a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions fixed to a pair of electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Waltow Polymer Technologies
    Inventors: Theodore Von Arx, Keith Laken
  • Patent number: 6327429
    Abstract: A coffee maker heater shortens brew times by employing steel components which are brazed together. A copper brazing material efficiently conducts heat from the coffee maker heater element to the base plate and water tube. Brazing increases the thermally conductive surface area of the junctions between components of the coffee maker. A stainless steel water tube minimizes contamination of the heated water. Steel components tolerate increased levels of heat, permitting use of high power heater elements. The combination of high power heater elements with improved thermal performance shortens brew times by as much as one third.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Electrical & Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Yee-Koo Chan
  • Patent number: 5539856
    Abstract: An electric coffeemaker includes a first electric heater for heating water for brewing the coffee. A carafe is supported on a base portion of the housing of the coffeemaker. A second electric heater is mounted in heat transfer relation with the base portion for keeping the base portion warm when a coffee-laden carafe is positioned thereon. The operation of the second electric heater is controlled to reduce the heat delivered to the base portion when a relatively lesser quantity of coffee has been brewed and to increase the amount of heat delivered to the base portion when a relatively greater quantity of coffee has been brewed. The operation of the second heater may also be varied to satisfy specific consumer taste preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Andrew, Walter G. Birdsell, Stephen D. Mowers, Robert A. St. John, Charles Z. Krasznai
  • Patent number: 5455887
    Abstract: A coffee-maker is provided which comprises a first supply voltage terminal (10) and a second supply voltage terminal (11), a heating element (12), a first switching element (13), and a second switching element (14), which heating element (12), first switching element (13) and second switching element (14) are serially coupled between the first supply voltage terminal (10) and the second supply voltage terminal (11), the first switching element (13) being adapted to set the heating element (12) to a first keep-warm temperature and the second switching element (14) being adapted to set the heating element (12) to a second keep-warm temperature. For an improved control to set the heating element (12) to the first and the second keep-warm temperature, the second switching element (14) is adapted to set the heating element (12) to the second keep-warm temperature depending upon a time needed to establish the first keep-warm temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Nicolaas M. F. Dam
  • Patent number: 5283854
    Abstract: An electrically heated continuous flow heater control system includes an electric switching element that has an open and a closed switching position and is electrically connected in series to a thermostat. Switching element (26) is always closed in the brewing process while it can be opened and closed again in the keep-warm process by a control circuit. The control circuit includes a temperature sensor which is in good heat contact with the infusion beverage. When in the initial phase of the keep-warm process the sensor temperature is in excess of a definable switching temperature, the control circuit keeps the switching element in its open position for as long as the sensor temperature remains higher than the switching temperature in the course of the consequently occurring cooling of the infusion beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Schiebelhuth
  • Patent number: 5280560
    Abstract: A coffee or tea maker includes a base shell including a vertically-oriented connecting sleeve; a flow heater accommodated in the base shell and having a vertically-oriented inlet nipple received in the connecting sleeve; a mains cable connection situated in the base shell; a machine switch situated in the base shell; an electric circuit board connected to the mains cable connection and to the machine switch and having plug-in pins; and a bottom closing off the base shell and locked thereto by a detent joint. All the plug-in and detent connections define a vertical joining direction for relative movement toward one another into a locked state during an assembling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Melitta Haushaltsprodukte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Salomon
  • Patent number: 5186096
    Abstract: The coffee brewing machine can be used to prepare alternatively normal coffee or espresso coffee and comprises a boiler having a temperature control. The cold water is fed to the boiler by a water pump with adjustable feed rate. Two different brewing members are used for the preparation of the two kind of coffees, namely a sieve holder and a filter support which are connectable via a mounting and supporting flange to the boiler. A mode switch is assigned to the mounting and supporting flange which automatically changes the mode of operation of the coffee brewing machine upon exchanging the brewing member. Thereby, the feed rate of the water pump and the temperature of the hot water are adapted to optimize the conditions for preparing either normal coffee or espresso coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Estro S.r.l.
    Inventor: Marco Willi