Single Reservoir Beverage Maker

摘要

A beverage maker includes a reservoir having a first inlet port for receiving liquid for preparing a beverage and a first outlet port for discharging the liquid from the reservoir to a brew chamber. A hot liquid generator (HLG) inlet is in fluid communication with a reservoir second outlet port and an HLG outlet is in fluid communication with a reservoir second inlet. A valve fluidly communicates with the reservoir, the valve being normally in an open position, permitting flow therethrough, and moveable into a closed position, preventing flow therethrough. Liquid flows into the HLG via the reservoir second outlet. HLG powering increases the temperature of the liquid therein and effectuates movement of the liquid back to the reservoir via the HLG outlet. Liquid is continuously recirculated between the reservoir and the HLG, without exiting from the reservoir first outlet port, at least until the valve is closed.

主权项

1. A beverage maker comprising:
a reservoir having a first inlet port for receiving a volume of liquid to be used for preparing a beverage and a first outlet port for discharging the liquid from the reservoir to a brew chamber to prepare the beverage; a hot liquid generator (HLG) having an HLG inlet in fluid communication with a second outlet port of the reservoir and an HLG outlet in fluid communication with a second inlet port of the reservoir and a passageway therebetween; and a vent valve in fluid communication with the reservoir, the vent valve being biased open, permitting gas flow therethrough, and configured to close when gas exiting the reservoir through the vent valve reaches a threshold flow rate; wherein liquid within the reservoir flows into the HLG passageway via the reservoir second outlet port and the HLG inlet, and powering of the HLG increases a temperature of at least a portion of the liquid within the HLG passageway and effectuates movement of the liquid in the HLG passageway back to the reservoir via the HLG outlet and the reservoir second inlet port, liquid being continuously recirculated between the reservoir and the HLG, without exiting from the reservoir first outlet port, at least until the vent valve is closed; and wherein the reservoir defines a minimum fill level corresponding to a volume of liquid within the reservoir required to prepare a minimum serving of the beverage, and wherein the reservoir second inlet port comprises a second inlet port tube extending into the reservoir, an outlet of the second inlet port tube being positioned at a lower elevation within the reservoir than the minimum fill level of the liquid.