Black Decker Inc.

Louis C Martone

Gregory E Moores

Robert E Kubicko

Paul D Johnson

Robert F Burkholder

Luis O Cavada

Lars F Asbjornsen

A coffee brewing unit is disclosed which enables a brew cycle to be initiated automatically upon insertion of a coffee receiving vessel into its coffee receiving position, but which prevents a brew cycle from proceeding if a number of required operating conditions are not implemented. If all operating conditions again become implemented after a brew cycle, once underway, is interrupted, the brew cycle continues on to completion. Visual signals indicate that a brew cycle is in progress and also when sufficient mineral deposits are present that cleaning of the unit is recommended. An insulated carafe is used as the vessel to receive brewed coffee thereby eliminating the need for a warmer plate. The unit may be mounted under a cabinet to thereby maximize usable countertop space and a coffee basket for the unit utilizes a dispensing valve which is opened by the carafe when inserted into position but which closes when the carafe is withdrawn. A thermostat which is used in association with the water generator for the unit has a manual reset switch which is actuated by a self contained water reservoir when moved into its operating position.

Carafe-operated coffee brewing system

A coffee brewing unit is disclosed which enables a brew cycle to be initiated manually or automatically at a preset time, but which prevents a brew cycle from proceeding if a number of required operating conditions are not implemented. If all operating conditions again become implemented after a brew cycle, once underway, is interrupted, the brew cycle continues on to completion. Visual and audible signals indicate the current status of the brew cycle and/or of the brewing unit itself. An insulated carafe is used as the vessel to receive brewed coffee thereby eliminating the need for a warmer plate. The unit may be mounted under a cabinet to thereby maximize usable countertop space and the brew basket utilizes a dispensing valve which is opened by the carafe when inserted into position but which closes when the carafe is withdrawn. A thermostat which is used in association with the water generator for the unit has a manual reset switch which is actuated by a self contained water reservoir when moved into its operating position.

Intelligent coffee brewing system

For a coffee brewing machine, an indicating system which operates to notify the user when it is time to clean the water supply conduit of accumulated mineral deposits. When a self contained removable reservoir is inserted into its operative position connecting to the water supply conduit, it closes the contacts of a temperature sensitive switch. During normal operation, the switch opens when water is depleted from the reservoir and the brewing cycle is completed. However, if the switch opens while water remains in the supply conduit upstream of the heater mechanism, this is a sure indication that there is a substantial accumulation of mineral deposits in the supply conduit. Thus, a sensing mechanism is employed to detect the presence of water in the supply conduit after the temperature sensitive switch opens, and a lamp is energized to indicate the condition. In one embodiment, the sensing operation is performed by an electromechanical device, and in another embodiment by logic circuitry.

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Shelton, CT, United States of America

Louis C Martone