초록 ▼

The present invention provides a beverage maker having an in-line heating assembly for heating water to make hot beverages such as coffee and tea. The heating assembly defines a flow path that runs past a plurality of heaters for heating water to a desired temperature. In this manner, the beverage m

The present invention provides a beverage maker having an in-line heating assembly for heating water to make hot beverages such as coffee and tea. The heating assembly defines a flow path that runs past a plurality of heaters for heating water to a desired temperature. In this manner, the beverage maker heats water as it travels, alleviating the need for a water tank or vessel, resulting in increased savings in weight and size, as well as reducing brew time. Additionally, an optical sensor assembly is provided to detect when a serving container of the beverage maker has a prescribed capacity of liquid within it. The sensor assembly includes at least one light source aligned to shine into the container and at least one detector aligned to detect light reflected off the liquid surface within the container. A drainage assembly is also provided that can drain liquid through either a connector port into an airplane's wastewater system or through a drainage port into a drainage sump.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A beverage maker having an in-line heating assembly for heating a liquid to make hot beverages, the beverage maker comprising:a heating body that defines a flow path for heating the liquid, the flow path having a first end and a second end;at least one valve for regulating the

What is claimed is: 1. A beverage maker having an in-line heating assembly for heating a liquid to make hot beverages, the beverage maker comprising:a heating body that defines a flow path for heating the liquid, the flow path having a first end and a second end;at least one valve for regulating the flow of the liquid along the flow path;a plurality of heaters disposed between the first end of the flow path and the second end of the flow path, for heating the liquid to a desired temperature;at least one temperature sensor configured to produce a temperature signal indicative of the temperature at a prescribed location within the heating body;a control system configured to receive the temperature signal from the temperature sensor and to regulate the plurality of heaters;a coffee valve, a tea valve, a hot water valve, and a manifold to which the coffee valve, the tea valve and the hot water valve are connected;an extendable faucet connected to the hot water valve and configured to be movable between a stowed position and a deployed position; anda faucet sensor operatively coupled to the extendable faucet, to produce a control signal indicating whether the extendable faucet is disposed in its deployed position or in its stowed position; andwherein the control system (i) is operatively connected to the coffee valve, tea valve, and hot water valve, to control which valve the liquid is allowed to flow through; (ii) comprises a user interface including a hot water button, wherein manual actuation of the hot water button initiates the flow of hot water through the hot water valve and prevents liquid from flowing through the coffee valve and the tea valve; and (iii) is configured to allow hot water to flow through the hot water valve only when the control signal indicates that the extendable faucet is disposed in its deployed position.