Signature Brands LLC

Health O Meter, Inc.

Sunbeam Products, Inc.

Marc L Vitantonio

Eric E Lucas

Robert C Cheich

Mark V Gorjanc

John Sovis

Mark Driscoll

Michael Miroewski

Brian W Penrod

James F Hampshire

Gail S Metcalfe

Terri S Hrovat

A brewing machine with brewing water flow control mechanisms for controlling flow between chambers, includes a filling chamber in fluid connection with a heating reservoir. In one aspect of the invention, a control chamber with a sealable opening is formed about a drain hole in the filling chamber so that water must flow through the control chamber to reach the reservoir, and fluid access to the control chamber is controlled by a seal which engages the opening in the control chamber. Engagement of the seal with the opening in the control chamber is controlled by operation of a lid which covers the filling chamber. In another aspect of the invention, a flow rate control valve assembly is at least partially housed within the control chamber and has a portion which is proximate to the drain hole in the filling chamber connected to the reservoir, whereby a rate of flow from the filling chamber to the reservoir is selectively controllable by adjustment of the flow rate control valve. In another aspect of the invention, flow rate control mechanisms which work in conjunction with the showerhead which distributes brewing water over a brewing material in a brewing chamber are provided. The flow control and flow rate control structures and mechanisms of the invention are applicable to any device having at least two fluid chambers wherein controlled flow between the chambers is required.

Flow control and flow rate control mechanisms for use in brewing machines with fluidly connected chambers

Pitcher

A beverage making appliance has a water reservoir, brewing basket and water heating and pumping device within a tower structure with the brewing basket in a top region of the tower. The brewing basket has a sloped floor and a drain hole positioned near an edge of the sloped floor, and positioned over a recess in the tower so that liquid drains from the brewing basket to the exterior of the tower. The recess in the tower is configured to receive a pitcher whereby a pitcher positioned within the recess receives liquid, in the form of a brewed beverage, from the brewing basket. A valve assembly in connection with the drain hole of the brewing basket is controllable from the exterior of the tower to regulate the flow rate of liquid from the brewing basket into the pitcher, thus altering the characteristics of the brewed beverage produced by the appliance.

Brewing appliance having a tower with a water reservoir and brewing

Brewing appliance

Flow control and flow rate control mechanisms for use in brewing

Brewing machine

Water filteration pitcher with lid and cartridge receiving reservior

A thermal carafe brewing device includes an automatic drip brewing machine and a thermal carafe having a brew-through lid which utilizes a pressure controlled valve in a liquid passageway through the lid to allow liquid to flow directly from a brewing basket through the lid and into the carafe. The pressure controlled valve prevents liquid and heat from flowing out of the carafe through the lid by liquid and/or gas pressure from inside the carafe which closes the valve.

Thermal carafe brewing device with brew-through lid

Growing community of inventors

S. Russell, OH, United States of America

Marc L Vitantonio