US4917005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beverage brewer with brewing temperature interlock
Assignee: Bunn O Matic Corp
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Filing: 1989-06-09
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Granted: 1990-04-17
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Expires: 2009-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A beverage brewer includes a water reservoir in which water is heated to a predetermined brewing temperature by a resistance heater element within the reservoir. To initiate a brewing cycle cold water is admitted to the reservoir for a predetermined time period through an electrically operated fill valve to displace a predetermined volume of heated water from the reservoir. The heated water flows through a beverage filter containing coffee or tea to a serving beaker. A temperature interlock circuit having a temperature sensing element in the reservoir prevents actuation of the fill valve when the reservoir temperature falls below a predetermined minimum level.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Knepler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:34
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J31/00; A47J31/04; A47J31/057; A47J31/44; A47J31/52; A47J31/54; A47J31/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A beverage brewing apparatus comprising: a hot water reservoir; inlet means for admitting cold water into said reservoir; a resistance heating element within the reservoir operable from an applied electric current for heating water in the reservoir; dispensing means including user-actuable solenoid valve for dispensing heated water from the reservoir; temperature sensing means for producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the water in said reservoir; and interlock circuit means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for inhibiting the operation of said valve when the temperature of the water in said reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum brewing temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A beverage brewing apparatus comprising: a hot water reservoir; inlet means for admitting cold water into said reservoir; a resistance heating element within the reservoir operable from an applied electric current for heating water in the reservoir; dispensing means including user-actuable solenoid valve for dispensing heated water from the reservoir; temperature sensing means for producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the water in said reservoir; and interlock circuit means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for inhibiting the operation of said valve when the temperature of the water in said reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum brewing temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet means comprise a conduit for admitting cold water into said reservoir, and said solenoid valve is disposed inline therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 1 including temperature control means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for controlling the application of current to said resistance heater to maintain the temperature of the water in said reservoir at a nominal temperature greater than said predetermined minimum brewing temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing means comprise a thermistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said thermistor is disposed within a segment of heat-conductive tubing disposed within said reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said tubing segment is formed of a formable heat-conductive metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet means admit cold water to a bottom portion of said reservoir, said outlet means discharge heated water from a top portion of said reservoir, and said temperature sensing means sense the temperature of the water in said reservoir at a central portion intermediate said top and bottom portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
161 words
A beverage brewing apparatus comprising: a hot water reservoir; inlet means for admitting cold water into said reservoir; a resistance heating element within the reservoir operable from an applied electric current for heating water in the reservoir; dispensing means including user-actuable solenoid valve for dispensing heated water from the reservoir; said inlet means comprising a conduit for admitting cold water into said reservoir, and said solenoid valve is being disposed in line therein; temperature sensing means for producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the water in said reservoir; temperature control means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for controlling the application of current to said resistance heater to maintain the temperature of the water in said reservoir at a nominal temperature greater than said predetermined minimum brewing temperature; and interlock circuit means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for inhibiting the operation of said valve when the temperature of the water in said reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum brewing temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
A beverage brewing apparatus comprising: a hot water reservoir; inlet means for admitting cold water into said reservoir; a resistance heating element within the reservoir operable from an applied electric current for heating water in the reservoir; dispensing means including user-actuable solenoid valve for dispensing heated water from the reservoir; said inlet means comprising a conduit for admitting cold water into said reservoir, and said solenoid valve is being disposed in line therein; temperature sensing means for producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the water in said reservoir; temperature control means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for controlling the application of current to said resistance heater to maintain the temperature of the water in said reservoir at a nominal temperature greater than said predetermined minimum brewing temperature; and interlock circuit means responsive to said temperature-indicative signal for inhibiting the operation of said valve when the temperature of the water in said reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum brewing temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said temperature sensing means comprise a thermistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said thermistor is disposed within a segment of heat-conductive tubing disposed within said reservoir.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A beverage brewing apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said tubing segment is formed of a formable heat-conductive metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-10-16 | 1994-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-16 | 1997-10-16 | 1998-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-16 | 2001-10-16 | 2002-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |