U.S. patent number RE34,482 [Application Number 07/794,879] was granted by the patent office on 1993-12-21 for appliance for brewing coffee/tea.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mr. Coffee, Inc.. Invention is credited to John J. Pastrick.
United States Patent |
RE34,482 |
Pastrick |
December 21, 1993 |
Appliance for brewing coffee/tea
Abstract
An appliance for automatically brewing a beverage such as
coffee, tea or the like comprising a reservoir for receiving a
predetermined amount of water, a heating element for heating the
water, a container adapted to receive coffee, tea or the like
defining a wetting chamber and means for delivering heated water to
the wetting chamber. The container includes an outlet port disposed
a predetermined distance above the lowest portion of the wetting
chamber wherein a predetermined head of water is consistently
developed and maintained throughout the brewing cycle.
Inventors: |
Pastrick; John J. (University
Heights, OH) |
Assignee: |
Mr. Coffee, Inc. (Bedford
Heights, OH)
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Family
ID: |
26970088 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/794,879 |
Filed: |
November 19, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
297307 |
Jan 17, 1989 |
04882983 |
Nov 28, 1989 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/295;
99/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J
31/0615 (20130101); A47J 31/0573 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47J
31/057 (20060101); A47J 31/06 (20060101); A47J
31/04 (20060101); A47J 031/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;99/295,299,279,306,300,32R,304,305,307,190,316 ;426/433 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Jenkins; Robert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hochberg; D. Peter Kusner; Mark
Claims
Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed:
1. An appliance for making iced coffee/tea comprising:
a housing,
a reservoir within said housing for holding a predetermined amount
of water,
a heating system for heating said water,
a receptacle for receiving brewed heated water,
a container dimensioned to be supported in said receptacle, said
container having a chamber adapted to receive coffee, tea or the
like and having dispensing means for dispensing brewed, heated
water into said receptacle, said dispensing means including
overflow means for dispensing said brewed, heated water into said
receptacle after said water reaches a certain height in said
chamber, and,
means for transferring heated water to said container, said means
having orifice means for dispensing heated water into said
chamber.
2. An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said dispensing means
for said container further includes:
drain port means at a low portion of said chamber for selectively
communicating with said receptacle, and
valve means operable for opening and closing said drain port
.Iadd.means .Iaddend.to selectively dispense brewed, heated water
into said receptacle.
3. An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is
generally cylindrical in shape.[.,.]. and .[.said means for
locating is comprised of.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.a cylindrical
recess .[.in said housing.]. .Iadd.formed along one side
thereof.Iaddend., said recess having a radius of curvature
generally equal to the radius of curvature of said receptacle
.Iadd.to receive said receptacle therein.Iaddend..
4. An appliance as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for
forcing said heated water .[.through said dispensing means.]. into
said chamber.
5. An appliance as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for
forcing is comprised of a flow restriction.
6. An appliance according to claim 5 wherein said flow restriction
is an orifice.
7. An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said overflow means
has inlet means a predetermined distance above the bottom of said
chamber and outlet means in communication with said receptacle.
8. An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said container has a
drain port at a low portion of said container, and closure means
for selectively opening and closing said drain port, said closure
means being normally closed to allow the brewing of water in said
chamber and being openable to release the brewed water into said
receptacle.
9. An appliance according to claim 8 wherein said closure means has
a manually accessible means for opening said closure means.
10. An appliance according to claim 1 wherein said heating system
includes means for supplying heated water under pressure to .[.said
dispensing.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.orifice, said .[.dispensing.].
orifice injecting said heated water into said chamber.
11. An appliance for automatically brewing a flavor-carrying
material such as coffee, tea or the like comprising:
a reservoir for receiving a predetermined amount of water,
means for heating said water,
a container having a chamber .Iadd.through which all said heated
water passes .Iaddend.adapted to receive a predetermined maximum
amount of said flavor-carrying material therein, said container
including .Iadd.a drain port at the bottom of said
chamber.Iaddend., .[.an.]. outlet .[.port.]. .Iadd.means
.Iaddend.disposed above the lowest portion of said chamber and
above the highest level of said flavor-carrying material, said port
.Iadd.and said outlet means .Iaddend.communicating with a
receptacle below said chamber for receiving brewed liquid,
.Iadd.and control means integral with said container for regulating
flow through said drain port to regulate the amount of water within
said chamber, the position of said control means relative to said
drain port being manually adjustable.Iaddend., and
means for delivering heated water to said chamber.
12. An appliance as defined in claim 11 further comprising means
for forcing said .[.heat.]. .Iadd.heated .Iaddend.water into said
chamber.
13. An appliance as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for
delivering includes a restrictive nozzle operable to deliver said
heated water to said container in pulsed streams.
14. An appliance for automatically brewing coffee, tea or the like
comprising:
a reservoir for receiving a predetermined amount of water,
means for heating said water,
a container having a chamber adapted to receive coffee, tea or the
like therein, said container including an outlet port disposed a
predetermined distance above the lowest portion of said chamber, a
drain port at the lowest point in said chamber and .Iadd.manually
operable .Iaddend.valve means .Iadd.integral with said container
.Iaddend.operable .Iadd.on said container .Iaddend.for opening
.[.an.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.closing said drain port, said outlet
port communicating with a receptacle below said chamber for
receiving brewed liquid, and
means for delivering heated water to said chamber.
15. In an appliance for automatically brewing coffee or tea, said
appliance having means for providing heated water for brewing at a
predetermined location .[.thereon.]. .Iadd.therein.Iaddend., a brew
funnel for holding tea, coffee or the like for receiving heated
water at said predetermined location,
said brew funnel having:
a generally cylindrical shape, a closed lower end and an open upper
end defining a chamber for receiving said coffee, tea and
water,
a first port located a predetermined distance above the lowest
portion of said chamber,
a second port located at the lowest portion of said chamber, said
ports operable to drain liquid from said funnel,
a plug associated with said second port movable between a first
position closing said second port and a second position opening
said port,
means for biasing said plug to said first position, and
lever means on said brew funnel for overcoming said biasing
.[.mean.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.to move said plug to said second
position.
16. A brew funnel as defined in claim 15 further comprising latch
means for maintaining said plug in said second position.
17. An appliance for .[.brewing coffee, tea or the like .].
.Iadd.making freshly brewed iced-tea .Iaddend.comprising:
an elongated .Iadd.columnar .Iaddend.housing,
a reservoir within said housing for receiving a predetermined
amount of water,
a heating unit within said housing for heating said water,
a receptacle .[.for receiving.]. .Iadd.dimensioned to receive
.Iaddend.heated .[.water.]. .Iadd.brewed tea and ice to cool said
heated tea.Iaddend., and
a container dimensioned to be supported over said receptacle, said
container having a chamber for receiving .[.coffee,.].tea .[.or the
like.]., .Iadd.means for creating a head of heated water within
said chamber .Iaddend.and .[.having.]. dispensing means for
dispensing brewed, heated .[.water.]. .Iadd.tea .Iaddend.into said
receptacle, said housing and said receptacle being dimensioned such
that said receptacle is telescopically received over said housing.
.Iadd.
18. A brew funnel for use in an appliance for automatically brewing
coffee or tea, for holding tea, coffee or the like and receiving
heated water, said brew funnel having:
a chamber for receiving said coffee, tea and water, said chamber
having an open upper end,
a drain port located at the lowest portion of said chamber operable
to drain liquid from said chamber,
a control member integral with said funnel for controlling flow
through said drain port, said control member being manually
positionable relative to said drain port to a position to regulate
the amount of water in said chamber, and
overflow means within said chamber operable to drain liquid from
said chamber when said liquid in said chamber has reached a
predetermined height. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
19. A brew funnel as defined in claim 18 wherein said control
member is a plug movable between a first position closing said
drain port and a second position opening said drain port. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an appliance for brewing coffee,
tea or the like, and more particularly to a conventionally known
automatic drip-type appliance for making coffee or tea. The
invention is particularly applicable to an appliance for making
fresh iced tea and will be described with particular reference
thereto, although it will be appreciated that it may also be used
in making hot coffee, hot tea, iced coffee or other similar
beverages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to conventionally-known,
automatic drip-type coffee makers. Such coffee makers typically
include a reservoir for water, a heating element to heat the water,
and a container or basket ("brew funnel") adapted to hold the
coffee (generally in a filter) and to receive the heated water. The
heated water is allowed to drip onto and "wet" the coffee in the
container. The brewed coffee is drained from the container through
an aperture located at the bottom thereof into a decanter.
With the public popularity of tea as an alternative or substitute
for coffee, it has become desirable to provide an automatic machine
which is capable of brewing coffee and/or tea. Existing drip coffee
makers however provide less than satisfactory results if loose tea
or tea bags are used therewith. One reason is that tea, unlike
coffee, must be steeped to produce a satisfactory beverage. A
second reason is that automatic drip coffee makers are simply not
designed for brewing or steeping tea. In this respect, the basket
or brew funnels of drip coffee makers are specifically designed to
develop a head of water such that the coffee therein is wetted
(submerged) by the water. This head of water is dependent upon the
rate the brewed coffee drains from the funnel during the brewing
cycle, as well as upon the rate at which the hot water is
introduced into the funnel. Importantly, the drain rate is a
function of a number of factors which create a resistance to flow.
Some of these factors, such as the configuration and physical
dimensions of the brew funnel (e.g. flow channels, drain hole size
etc.) are constant, while other factors such as the grind of the
coffee (coarseness or fineness), the water hardness and the
porosity of the filter paper used therein are variables. With
respect to the variable factors, tea is completely unlike coffee in
its wetting characteristics. Thus, machines designed for coffee in
many instances do not produce the desired head of water in the brew
funnel when tea is used therein. This is especially true when tea
bags are used and the tea bags are placed or shift away from (i.e.
do not cover) the drain aperture.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.in such
situations the drain aperture is unobstructed and the drain flow
rate substantially increases, which in turn reduces the head of
water in the basket. Thus, for the aforementioned reasons, making
tea in drip coffee makers known heretofore in many instances
produces less than optimum results.
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems, and
provides an appliance for brewing coffee or tea, which appliance
includes a brew funnel which maintains a specific water head
regardless of the characteristics of the materials to be brewed or
used therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an
appliance for automatically brewing a beverage such as coffee, tea
or the like. The appliance is comprised of a reservoir for
receiving a predetermined amount of water, means for heating the
water, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive coffee,
tea or the like, and means for delivering heated water to the
chamber. The container includes an outlet port disposed a
predetermined distance above the lowest portion of the
chamber.Iadd., .Iaddend.which port is dimensioned to communicate
with a receptacle below the chamber for receiving brewed liquid. By
providing an outlet port a predetermined distance above the bottom
or lowest portion of the chamber, a specific head of water is
consistently established and maintained in the chamber throughout
the brewing cycle. The head of water established in the steeping
chamber will be consistently equal to the distance between the
bottom of the chamber and the outlet port. Thus, irrespective of
the characteristics of the coffee/tea being brewed therein, a
predetermined head of water is established to extract the essence
therefrom.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an appliance as described above wherein the container
further includes a drain port disposed at the bottom of the chamber
and a plug movable between a first position wherein said plug
closes said port and a second position wherein said port is open.
The port is operable when open to drain, into a receptacle below
the chamber, the head of water created in the chamber during the
brewing cycle. In the present invention the plug is normally in the
first position (closed) during the brewing cycle to establish the
predetermined head of water. Upon completion, the plug may be moved
to the second position to enable the liquid forming the head of
water in the wetting chamber (brewed liquid) to be drained into the
receptacle.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an appliance as described above further comprising
means for forcing the heated water into the chamber to agitate the
particulate material (tea/coffee) therein. With respect to this
aspect of the present invention, unlike existing drip coffee
machines wherein the heated water "drips" into the particulate to
be brewed (so as to avoid boring a hole into the particulate), the
present invention generally provides a nozzle to force the heated
water into the chamber of the container to agitate the particulate
therein to ensure thorough wetting and extraction from the brewed
particulate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an appliance
for automatically brewing fresh iced tea, iced coffee, tea or the
like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an appliance
as described above which is adaptable for making hot tea or hot
coffee.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an
appliance as described above having a wetting chamber in which a
predetermined head of heated water for brewing or steeping is
consistently established and maintained regardless of whether
coffee or tea is used therein and regardless of the characteristics
of such particulate.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an
appliance as described above wherein the heated water used to brew
or steep the coffee or tea is forced into the chamber to agitate
the heated water and particulate therein.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description of a preferred
embodiment taken together with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be
described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appliance for making fresh iced
tea illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view .[.taken along line 2--2.]. of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing the
water reservoir and water transfer line of the appliance shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 showing the
steeping or brewing chamber of the appliance shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a plan view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2 showing the
water heating arrangement and thermostat reset mechanism of the
appliance shown in FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 6 or 6a are enlarged views of .[.areas 6--6 of.]. FIG. 2
showing in section the hot water delivery nozzle of the appliance
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showing is for the
purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention
only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows an
appliance 10 for making iced tea or iced coffee. Broadly stated,
appliance 10 is comprised of a housing 20 containing a water
reservoir 22 and a heating unit 24, a container or brew funnel 26
for receiving the coffee or tea to be brewed, and a receptacle 28
for receiving the brewed beverage.
Housing 20 is generally comprised of an elongated body 30 having a
flared base portion 32 at the lower end thereof. In the embodiment
of the invention shown, body 30 is substantially cylindrical in
shape, but includes a cylindrical recess 34 along the length
thereof (best seen in FIG. 5). Housing 20 also includes a
cylindrical cap 36 attached to body 30 by interlocking tabs 37a,
37b. Together, body 30 and cap 36 define an internal cavity 38
containing reservoir 22 and heating unit 24. Cap 36 includes an
opening 40 having a movable lid 42 (shown in phantom in FIG. 3),
which opening 40 provides access to internal cavity 38, as best
seen in FIG. 2.
Referring now to reservoir 22, the reservoir is generally comprised
of an elongated cup-shaped member 50 having an open upper end 52
and a closed lower end 54. Cup-shaped member 50 is dimensioned to
generally conform to the shape of body 30 and to be positioned
therein as shown in FIG. 2. In this respect, cup-shaped member 50
has a cylindrical recess over a major portion of its length
matching recess 34 and body 30. The upper most portion of cup 30
however (near open end 52) is fully cylindrical in shape, and
defines a ledge 56 (best seen in FIG. 3) where the recessed portion
of cup-shaped member 50 meets the fully cylindrical portion. Two
ports or openings 58, 60 are integrally formed in ledge 56. Port 58
is basically an unrestricted opening and provides .[.and.].
.Iadd.an .Iaddend.overflow aperture as will be described in greater
detail below.
Port 60, best seen in FIGS. 6 and 6A, is generally comprised of a
nozzle 61 having two side-by-side orifices 61a, 61b. Orifices 61a
and 61b are preferably dimensioned to slightly restrict the flow of
heated water from the heating unit 24 and to create a pressure
build-up at port 60, wherein the heated water will be forced under
such pressure from port 60. As will be appreciated, orifices 61a,
61b are oriented to direct the stream of heated water into
container 26 which contains the coffee or tea to be brewed.
Orifices 61a, 61b are preferably dimensioned to produce a pulsed
stream when used with the heating unit 24 as hereinafter
described.
The closed lower end 54 of cup-shaped member 50 includes mounting
bosses 62, 64 for supporting member 50 in body 30. Closed end 54
also includes a downward extending tubular extension 66 having a
tubular nipple 68 extending therefrom. Tubular extension 66 is
dimensioned to receive a directional valve 70 permitting flow only
out of reservoir 22. Cup-shaped member 50 also includes an upward
extending nipple 72 disposed in the cavity defined by member 50,
partially shown in FIG. 2. Upward extending nipple 72 is connected
to port 60 by a length of tubing 76 and a generally U-shaped pipe
78.
Referring now to heating unit 24, such unit in and of itself forms
no part of the present invention and accordingly shall not be
described in great detail. Heating unit 24 is generally comprised
of a U-shaped heating element 80 of a type conventionally known and
used in .[.automatically.]. .Iadd.automatic .Iaddend.drip coffee
makers. Broadly stated, heating element 80 is generally comprised
of an aluminum extrusion having side-by-side passages 82, 84
extending therethrough. Passage 82 includes a ceramic heating core
86 therein. Heating core 86 is controlled by a resettable
thermostat 88. Thermostat 88 is activated by a reciprocal switch 90
(best seen in FIG. 5) which extends through housing 20. Switch 90
is connected to a link 92 which resets the thermostat after a
heating cycle has been completed and the thermostat has kicked out
(turned off) the heating core .[.88.]. .Iadd.86.Iaddend.. As best
seen in FIG. 5, link 92 is pivotable about a pin 94 secured to
flared base portion 32. A biasing spring 96 is operative together
with a stop 98 to position link 92 in a normal position as shown in
FIG. 5. Heating unit 24 is disposed within cavity 38 with the ends
thereof aligned with tubular nipples 68 and 72 on cup-shaped member
50. Heat resistant tubing 102 connects passage 84 of element 80 to
nipples 68, 72. A mounting bracket 104 is provided to support and
orient heating unit 24 in housing 20 as well as to support
reservoir 22 as shown in FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, container or brew funnel 26 and
receptacle 28 are shown. In the embodiment disclosed, the brew
funnel is adapted to be supported by receptacle 28 such that both
may be positioned adjacent housing 20. In this respect, receptacle
28 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a closed lower end
108 and an open upper end 110, and defines a cylindrical beverage
holding cavity 112 therein. Importantly, the radius of curvature
.[.diameter.]. of receptacle 22 is dimensioned to correspond to the
radius of curvature of recess 34 in housing 20 such that receptacle
28 may be easily and accurately located in proper position against
housing 20 by merely moving receptacle 28 into mating engagement
with recess 34 of housing 20. Further in this respect, receptacles
28 and recess 34 are preferably dimensioned such that the inner
diameter of receptacle 28 is slightly larger than the outer
diameter of housing 20 to enable the receptacle to be placed over
housing 20 in a telescoping manner for packaging and/or storage.
Receptacle .[.22.]. .Iadd.28 .Iaddend.is preferably of a clear
plastic material to facilitate viewing of beverage placed therein,
and preferably includes a handle 113 thereon, as best seen .Iadd.in
FIG. 1. .Iaddend.
Referring now to container or brew funnel 26, such container is
generally cylindrical in shape and has an open upper end 116 and a
closed lower end 118. Container 26 defines .[.and.]. .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.inner cavity or "wetting" chamber 120 therein for holding
tea, coffee or the like and in which heated water from heating unit
24 may be introduced. As set forth above, in the embodiment
disclosed container 26 is supported by receptacle 28. To this end,
container 26 includes a flared collar portion 122 at the open end
116 thereof, which collar portion 122 defines an annular surface
124 dimensioned to engage the upper edge of receptacle 28 as shown
in FIG. 2. Receptacle 28 and container 26 are dimensioned such that
when positioned adjacent housing 20 container 26 is positioned
immediately below ports 58, 60 on ledge 56 of cup-shaped member 50.
Container 26 includes an overflow port 126 disposed .Iadd.at a
.Iaddend.predetermined distance H above the bottom or lowermost
surface of the wetting chamber 120. Distance H is preferably high
enough for the water to completely cover any material placed in
chamber 120, such as stacked tear bags or loose coffee or tea. In
the embodiment shown, port 126 is defined by a vertical standpipe
127 integrally formed in container 26. Standpipe 127 and port 126
communicate with the beverage holding cavity 112 in receptacle 28
and are dimensioned to allow liquid from the wetting chamber 120 to
spill into receptacle 28 when the liquid has reached the height H
therein. Container 26 also includes a drain port 128 disposed at
the lowermost portion thereof. Radial ribs 130 (best seen in FIG.
4) are provided on the upper surface of the closed end 118 of
container 26 to facilitate drainage through drain port 128. In this
respect, it will be appreciated that according to the present
invention, a typical filter (not shown) is to be used in container
26 when loose coffee or tea is used therein.
A plug assembly 132 for opening and closing the drain port 128 is
provided on the bottom surface of container 26. Assembly 132
includes a plug 134 operable to seal drain port 128, which plug 134
is fixed on a lever 136 pivotally mounted on mounts (not shown)
formed on the bottom surface of container 26. One end of the lever
136 is dimensioned to form a cavity 140 to receive a compression
spring 142 therein. A boss 144 on the lower surface of container 26
positions compression spring 142 relative to the cavity 140 on the
lever 136. Compression spring 142 and the lever 136 in their normal
position are operable to maintain plug 134 over drain port 128
thereby restricting flow therethrough. Operation of drain plug
assembly 132 is controlled by a generally S-shaped actuator 146
having an actuator arm 148 disposed adjacent the spring 142, and a
thumb tab 150 adjacent the open end of container 26. The actuator
146 is maintained along the side of container 26 by a guide 152
provided along the side thereof. Preferably, latch means (not
shown) are provided on actuator 146 which enable the actuator to be
locked in an up (drain port open) position.
A cover 154 dimensioned to fit over flared collar portion 122 of
container 26 is provided to enclose the open end 116 of container
26. Cover 154 includes a recess portion 156 dimensioned to
accommodate .Iadd.the .Iaddend.cylindrical cap of housing 20 when
container 26 and receptacle 28 are positioned thereagainst. Cover
154 also includes a notched portion 158 adjacent the thumb tab 150
of actuator 146 to facilitate access thereto by the user.
Referring now to the operation of the disclosed embodiment, to
produce fresh iced tea using the embodiment disclosed, several
trays of ice cubes (approximately three trays or about 36 .[.cubic
inches.]. .Iadd.ounces.Iaddend.) are placed within the beverage
receiving cavity 112 of receptacle 28. Container 26 is placed in
receptacle 28 as shown in FIG. 2. A typical coffee filter
conventionally known and widely available is preferably inserted
within container 26. A predetermined amount of tea (which may be
loose or contained in tea bags) is placed in the filter in
container 26. Cover 154 is then placed on container 26 and the
receptacle 28 and container 26 are positioned adjacent body 20 in
recess 34. With receptacle 28 and container 26 properly positioned
adjacent housing 20, a predetermined amount of water (approximately
40 ounces) is inserted into reservoir 22 through opening 40 in cap
36. Directional valve 70 allows the water in reservoir 22 to fill
passage 84 of heating unit 24. Switch 90 is then moved to an "on"
position, which in turn moves lever 92 to reset thermostat 88 which
in turn provides current to heating core 86. Heat generated by
heating core 86 is conducted via the aluminum extrusion to the
water in passage .[.82.]. .Iadd.84.Iaddend.. As the water is
heated, steam is formed in the passage .[.82.]. .Iadd.84.Iaddend..
The heated water produces a directional flow up through hose 76 and
U-shaped pipe 78 to port 60. In this respect, directional valve 70
restricts movement of heated water back into reservoir 22. Heating
unit 24 produces pulse of hot water which are forced to nozzle 60.
The orifice restrictions 61a, 61b at port 60 produce spurts or
short streams of hot water to be directed into the chamber 120 of
container 26. As heated water is directed into the chamber 120,
plug 134, in its normally closed position restricts flow through
drain port 128. As a result, the heated water begins to build up a
head which submerges the tea within chamber 120. The water and
steeping tea continue to build up a head within the wetting chamber
120 until it has reached the level H of outlet or overflow port
126. Importantly, until the head of water reaches the outlet port
126, the tea is steeping in the hot water maintained in
.[.diameter.]. .Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.120. Also important, is that
the pulses of hot water created by port 60 and orifices 61a, 61b
are directed into the wetting chamber 120 and produce an agitating
effect which further increases the interaction between the heated
water and the tea. As the steeped tea reaches the overflow port
126, overflowing tea drops into the cavity 112 of receptacle 28 and
is cooled by the ice therein. The steeping or brewing cycle
continues as hot water is pulsed into the wetting chamber 120, and
until the head of water is drained from container 26. With respect
to the heating unit 24, once all the water has been heated and
forced into the steeping chamber 120, the heating core 86 will heat
to a temperature at which case thermostat 88 shall kick out the
current to the heating unit 24. As set forth above, using a
resettable thermostat, .[.enable.]. .Iadd.enables .Iaddend.the
heating unit to be recycled upon actuation of link 92 by switch 90.
With respect to the heated water maintained in the container 26
(the water head), this water may be released by pinching the thumb
tab 150 against the upper rim of container 26 thereby opening drain
port 128. The head of liquid within the container is then drained
into cavity 112 of the receptacle 28. With respect to the
embodiment heretofore described, the water heated by the heating
unit enters the container or brewing funnel at approximately
195.degree. to 200.degree. F. and is reduced to a temperature of
approximately 42.degree. F. in the ice contained in receptacle
28.
While the present invention has been described with respect to
producing iced tea, it will be appreciated that iced coffee can
easily be made with the present invention by merely inserting
coffee in place of tea in the brewing funnel. Moreover, it will
likewise be appreciated that the present invention can be modified
to produce hot coffee or hot tea and that the improved brewing
funnel, which creates and maintains consistently a predetermined
brewing or steeping head of water, may be adapted and used in drip
type coffee makers known heretofore. These and other alterations
and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art
after a reading of the present invention. It is intended that all
such modifications and alterations by included insofar as they come
within the scope of the patent as claimed or the equivalents
thereof.
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