System for dispensing metered volumes of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage brewer
US7523695B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J31/56
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system for dispensing a metered volume of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage dispenser. The system includes: a storage tank for containing a supply of unheated water, a dispensing tank, and a delivery line communicating with the brew chamber and with the dispensing tank at an intermediate level demarcating the interior of the dispensing tank into upper and lower compartments wherein the volume of the upper compartment is equal to the metered volume. The system also includes a vent valve communicating via a vent line with the upper compartment, and a supply line connecting the storage tank to the lower compartment. An air pump is arranged to deliver pressurized air to the upper compartment. A water pump in the supply line is arranged to deliver water from the storage tank to the lower compartment. A heater for heating water is received in the dispensing tank. Sensing means for generating control signals indicative of the level and temperature of water in the dispensing tank; and a controller enabled by control signals generated by the sensing means and operative in response to a brew signal for operating the air and water pumps in conjunction with the open…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.