초록 ▼

The tea brew basket operates in conjunction with a coffee maker. The coffee maker includes a vertical superstructure and an overhanging sub-structure which delivers heated water to a carafe located beneath the sub-structure. The tea brewing system includes a tea brewer basket with a hanger complemen

The tea brew basket operates in conjunction with a coffee maker. The coffee maker includes a vertical superstructure and an overhanging sub-structure which delivers heated water to a carafe located beneath the sub-structure. The tea brewing system includes a tea brewer basket with a hanger complementary to the basket hanger on the coffee maker, a chute and a tea leaf retaining basket loosely fit within the chute. A controllable latch releases the tea leaf retaining basket from the chute and into the brewer basket. A controller operates a drain valve at the bottom of the brewer basket. Sensors and operator selections control either the brew time, brew temperature or both prior to opening the drain valve.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tea brew basket, in combination with a coffee maker, the coffee maker including a vertical superstructure with an overhanging sub-structure extending therefrom, water reservoir in the superstructure, a heating unit for said water, a removable carafe to hold a beverage retained beneath said over

1. A tea brew basket, in combination with a coffee maker, the coffee maker including a vertical superstructure with an overhanging sub-structure extending therefrom, water reservoir in the superstructure, a heating unit for said water, a removable carafe to hold a beverage retained beneath said overhanging sub-structure, and a water conduit for transferring heated water from said reservoir through said overhanging sub-structure to said carafe, and a basket hanger on one of said superstructure and said sub-structure, said tea brewer comprising:a tea brewer basket with a basket hanger complementary to said basket hanger on said coffee maker, said tea brewer basket adapted to be hung beneath said overhanging sub-structure to receive said heated water;a chute leading to a drop port on said tea brewer basket;a tea leaf holder shaped to fit in said chute, said tea leaf holder adapted to retain tea leaves therein;a controllable latch to release said tea leaf holder from said chute and out said drop port and into said tea brewer basket;a controllable valve at the bottom of said tea brewer basket for controlling water flow therefrom to said carafe adapted to be disposed beneath said tea brewer basket;a high water sensor and a low water sensor to detect water levels in said tea brewer basket;a temperature sensor proximate said low water sensor;a controllable air vent near a top of said tea brewer basket to vent air therefrom;a user actuatable control to select one or more controls from the group of controls including brew time and brew temperature; anda controller means, coupled to said user actuable control, said high and low water sensors, said temperature sensor, said controllable valve and said controllable latch, for monitoring water level and temperature, actuating said latch resulting in the dropping of said tea leaf holder into said tea brew basket and actuating said valve after temperature and time meet said controls.2. A tea brew basket, in combination with a coffee maker, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controller includes means for controlling said air vent and venting air when the temperature of said heated water exceeds said brew temperature control.3. A tea brew basket, in combination with a coffee maker, the coffee maker including a vertical superstructure with an overhanging sub-structure extending therefrom, water reservoir in the superstructure, a heating unit for said water, a removable carafe to hold a beverage retained beneath said overhanging sub-structure, and a water conduit for transferring heated water from said reservoir through said overhanging sub-structure to said carafe, and a basket hanger on one of said superstructure and said sub-structure, said tea brewer comprising:a tea brewer basket with a basket hanger complementary to said basket hanger on said coffee maker, said tea brewer basket adapted to be hung beneath said overhanging sub-structure to receive said heated water;a chute leading to a drop port on said tea brewer basket;a tea leaf holder shaped to fit in said chute, said tea leaf holder adapted to retain tea leaves therein;a controllable latch to release said tea leaf holder from said chute and out said drop port and into said tea brewer basket;a controllable valve at the bottom of said tea brewer basket for controlling water flow therefrom to said carafe adapted to be disposed beneath said tea brewer basket;a user actuatable control to select one of a plurality of brew time controls; anda controller means, coupled to said user actuable control, said controllable valve and said controllable latch, for actuating said latch resulting in the dropping of said tea leaf holder into said tea brew basket and actuating said valve after expiration of the selected brew time control.4. A tea brew basket, in combination with a coffee maker, the coffee maker including a vertical superstructure with an overhanging sub-structure extending therefrom, water reservoir in the superstructure, a heating unit for said water, a removable carafe to hold a beverage retained beneath said overhanging sub-structure, and a water conduit for transferring heated water from said reservoir through said overhanging sub-structure to said carafe, and a basket hanger on one of said superstructure and said sub-structure, said tea brewer comprising:a tea brewer basket with a basket hanger complementary to said basket hanger on said coffee maker, said tea brewer basket adapted to be hung beneath said overhanging sub-structure to receive said heated water;a chute leading to a drop port on said tea brewer basket;a tea leaf holder shaped to fit in said chute, said tea leaf holder adapted to retain tea leaves therein;a controllable latch to release said tea leaf holder from said chute and out said drop port and into said tea brewer basket;a controllable valve at the bottom of said tea brewer basket for controlling water flow therefrom to said carafe adapted to be disposed beneath said tea brewer basket;a temperature sensor proximate said low water sensor;a controllable air vent near a top of said tea brewer basket to vent air therefrom;a user actuatable control to select one or more controls from the group of controls including brew time and brew temperature; anda controller means, coupled to said user actuable control, said temperature sensor, said controllable valve and said controllable latch, for monitoring water level and temperature, actuating said latch resulting in the dropping of said tea leaf holder into said tea brew basket and actuating said valve after temperature and time meet said controls.5. A tea brew basket, in combination with a coffee maker, as claimed in claim 4 wherein said controller includes means for controlling said air vent and venting air when the temperature of said heated water exceeds said brew temperature control.