Coffee maker with automatic metered filling means
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A47J-031/04
A47J-031/10
A47J-031/41
A47J-031/44
출원번호
US-0380725
(2009-03-03)
등록번호
US-8171843
(2012-05-08)
발명자
/ 주소
Heffington, Matthew A.
출원인 / 주소
Heffington, Matthew A.
대리인 / 주소
Montgomery Patent & Design, LLC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
8인용 특허 :
20
초록▼
An automatic drip coffeemaker with an automatically measured water metering means is herein disclosed. The apparatus also comprises a small flexible plastic water line which connects to the water source system, an in-line replaceable water filter to ensure clean filtered water, and a control circuit
An automatic drip coffeemaker with an automatically measured water metering means is herein disclosed. The apparatus also comprises a small flexible plastic water line which connects to the water source system, an in-line replaceable water filter to ensure clean filtered water, and a control circuit with automatic water sensing level switches to allow the user to select the desired amounts of cups to be made. While the exact water levels can vary per model of invention, selectable levels of a minimum to a maximum of cups of coffee would be envisioned as readily available. In such a manner the user only has to place the correct amount of ground coffee inside of the invention, select the proper number of cups to be made, and the invention will do the rest.
대표청구항▼
1. An automatic coffee maker comprising: a main enclosure, comprising a lower base portion, an upper base portion, a water reservoir within a rear portion thereof and comprising a one-way valve at a reservoir outlet, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with said water reservoir, a shower head in
1. An automatic coffee maker comprising: a main enclosure, comprising a lower base portion, an upper base portion, a water reservoir within a rear portion thereof and comprising a one-way valve at a reservoir outlet, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with said water reservoir, a shower head in fluid communication with said heat exchanger, and a drip head in fluid communication with said shower head;an inline water filter removably connected to said upper base portion of said main enclosure and in fluid communication with said water reservoir;a filter basket hingedly attached to a front portion of said upper base portion of said main enclosure;an electronic controlling means, further comprising a power supply means to said coffee maker and a control module for providing a plurality of desired controlling means for operating said coffee maker housed in said coffee maker;a carafe removable to said lower base portion of said main enclosure subjacent to said filter basket; and,an automated metering means in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means;wherein said coffeemaker comprises a means to automatically deliver a predetermined amount of supply water which is filtered, heated, and dispensed upon ground coffee during a brewing process, wherein said ground coffee is placed in said coffee maker, an amount of water is placed in said coffee maker, said amount of water is filtered and heated prior to dispensing on said ground coffee, thereby producing prepared coffee, and said prepared coffee is dispensed to said carafe; and,wherein said heat exchanger further comprises: a first heat exchanger end and a second heat exchanger end comprising a thermally conductive material;a heating element;a cold water tube comprising a first cold water tube end in fluid communication with said one-way valve and a second cold water tube end in fluid communication with said first heat exchanger end; and,a hot water tube having a first hot water tube end in fluid communication with said second heat exchanger end of the heat exchange tube and a second hot water tube end in fluid communication with said shower head;wherein said heat exchanger is mounted into said main enclosure;wherein said cold water tube conveys cold water from said water reservoir to said heat exchanger;wherein said heating element provides a transfer of heat to said cold water, thereby producing hot water; and,wherein said hot water tube conveys hot water to said shower head. 2. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein said lower base portion further comprises: a warmer plate, further comprising a heating element in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means;a user interface located on a front portion of said lower base portion and in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means; and,a splash guard covering said user interface, thereby providing a means of protecting said user interface from damage;wherein said warming plate provides a means for maintaining a desired temperature as selected by said user;wherein said warming pate provides a seating means and a heating means for said carafe and contents therein; and,wherein said user interface provides a means for said user to selectively program a desired controlling function therefor said coffee maker. 3. The coffee maker of claim 2, wherein said user interface further comprises: a first digital display, comprising an electronic numerical display which depicts an amount of said prepared coffee as selected by said user;a second digital display adjacent to said first digital display, comprising a visual indicia thereof said electronic controlling means; and,a control selection panel adjacent to said second digital display, comprising a plurality of control buttons providing a navigation means between each of said plurality of desired controlling means;wherein said control selection panel provides said user to select said desired controlling function from said plurality of desired controlling means, wherein said desired controlling function is activated by said electronic controlling means. 4. The coffee maker of claim 3, wherein said first digital display further comprises an increase selector control switch and a decrease selector control switch. 5. The coffee maker of claim 3, wherein said second digital display further comprises a digital clock and a status indicator display means. 6. The coffee maker of claim 3, further comprising: a speaker adjacent to said control selection panel and in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means; and,a plurality of indicator lights adjacent to said control selection panel and in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means;wherein said speaker provides an audible alerting means that said desired controlling function is complete; and,wherein said plurality of indicator lights provides a visual alerting means that said desired controlling function is complete. 7. The coffee maker of claim 3, wherein said plurality of desired controlling means comprises: an initiating means for said brewing process;a brewing interrupt means for interrupting said brewing process;a brewing strength setting means for setting a desired brewing strength;a temperature setting means for setting said desired temperature of said warming plate;a clock setting means for setting a clock setting;a timer setting means for a desired time for initiating said brewing process;a time delay setting means for delaying said brewing process; and,a speaker muting means for muting a speaker. 8. The coffee maker of claim 7, wherein said plurality of desired controlling means is programmed with a hand-held remote control in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means; wherein said remote control transmits a signal based on a user-selectable desired controlling function to a receiver located along a front surface of said lower base portion. 9. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein said filter basket is hingedly attached to said upper base portion via an integrally molded hinge and further comprises a means to accept a filter filled with ground coffee, and an auto-stop feature, comprising a lever-actuated plunger assembly which enables said carafe to be removed during said brewing process while preventing liquid from dripping from said filter basket. 10. The coffee maker of claim 9, further comprising an integral reusable filter assembly. 11. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein said inline water filter further comprises a fastening feature with a locking ring which provides a means of connecting and removing said in-line water filter from said coffee maker. 12. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein said water reservoir comprises a maximum capacity of up to twelve (12) cups. 13. The coffee maker of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet water supply line in fluid communication with a water supply source at a proximal end and in fluid communication with said inline water filter at a distal end;a solenoid valve located along said inlet water supply line prior to said in-line water filter and in electronic communication therewith said electronic controlling means;wherein said inlet water supply line enters said enclosure at a bottom portion thereof. 14. The coffee maker of claim 13, wherein said water reservoir further comprises: a magnetic level switch;a plurality of magnetic reed switches located in said water reservoir, each corresponding to a water level in said water reservoir; and,a guide rod supporting said magnetic level switch, thereby providing a water delivery controlling means from said inlet water line delivered into the water reservoir;wherein said guide rod provides a circuit closure means to said plurality of magnetic reed switches said magnetic level switch;wherein said water level corresponds to a particular amount of prepared coffee produced during said brewing process;wherein a user selects a desired amount of said prepared coffee with said electronic controlling means, thereby indicating a particular magnetic reed switch corresponding to a particular water level, wherein said solenoid valve opens up to allow a flow of water into said water reservoir until said magnetic level switch reaches said particular magnetic reed switch, wherein said solenoid valve closes to cease aid flow of water;wherein a bottommost magnetic reed switch sends a signal to said electronic controlling means to indicate an end of said brewing process; and,wherein a topmost magnetic reed switch sends a signal to said electronic controlling means to close send solenoid control valve to prevent an overflow. 15. The coffee maker of claim 14, wherein said drip head evenly distributes said hot water onto said ground coffee. 16. The coffee maker of claim 1, further comprising an overheating override means for said heating element in electronic communication with said electronic controlling means; wherein when said overheating override means detects said heating element reaching a predetermined temperature, said electronic controlling means interrupts power to said heating element; and,wherein said overheating override means provides a means for maintaining an even temperature. 17. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein said carafe further comprises a thermally conductive body material, a handle, a hinged lid comprising an inlet for receiving said prepared coffee, and pouring spout for dispensing said prepared coffee.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (20)
Hoffman Ronald J. (Solon OH) Pillion Lawrence M. (University Heig OH) Jewell Paul L. (Northfield Cent OH), Apparatus and method for heating water for infusion and the like.
Becker Franklin H. (7480 NW. 35th St. Lauderhill FL 33319) Becker Marcia R. (7480 NW. 35th St. Lauderhill FL 33319) Hancock Dane R. (516 Bontona Ave. Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301), Beverage brewing apparatus.
McDonough Robert M. (Hatfield PA) Hanson Thomas E. (Phoenixville PA) Brill Richard H. (Philadelphia PA) Oates Ronald W. (Chalfont PA), Coffee maker with a variable brew strength apparatus.
Webster Joseph P. (St. Charles MO) Gustafson William L. (St. Charles MO) English Larry G. (St. Charles MO), Combination beverage brewer with cold water supply.
Ullmann, Erich; Buttiker, Philip, Dispensing device for the dispensing of coffee and/or milk and/or milk foam, drink preparation machine with a dispensing device and method for the assembly of a dispensing device.
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