IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,017,472
Granted Patent B2
US 7,017,472 · App. 10/683,744 · Granted Mar 28, 2006

Brewing apparatus water temperature control

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,017,472
App. No.
10/683,744
Granted
Mar 28, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A brewing apparatus, such as a coffeemaker, including a hot water heater; a first temperature sensor connected to the hot water heater; a second temperature sensor connected to either a cold water inlet to the heater or a hot water outlet from the heater; a pump connected to the cold water inlet for supplying water to the heater; and a controller coupled to the pump and the sensors. The pump is a variable speed pump. The controller is adapted to adjust the speed of the pump based upon signals from the sensors.

Claims (37)

1. A brewing apparatus comprising:

a hot water heater;

a first temperature sensor connected to the hot water heater;

a second temperature sensor connected to either a cold water inlet to the heater or a hot water outlet from the heater;

a pump connected to the cold water inlet for supplying water to the heater, the pump comprising a variable speed pump;

a controller coupled to the pump and the sensors, wherein the controller is adapted to adjust the speed of the pump based upon signals from the sensors; and

a moveable lid and a locking member for locking the lid in a closed position, and a switch connected to the controller for signaling when the locking member has moved from the locked position.

2. A brewing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the second temperature sensor is connected to the cold water inlet to the heater.

3. A brewing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the second temperature sensor is connected to the hot water outlet from the heater.

4. A brewing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the pump comprises a direct drive solenoid pump.

5. A brewing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the hot water heater comprises a fixed power heater.

6. A brewing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a user input section connected to the controller, the user input section being adapted to allowed a user to select one of at least three brewing modes comprising a first mode having a first quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a first temperature, a second mode having a second quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a second temperature, and a third mode having a third quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater.

7. A brewing apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the first and third quantities of water are about equal, and the second quantity of water is different from the first and third quantities of water.

8. A brewing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to discontinue supply of electricity to the hot water heater when the switch signals that the locking member has been moved from the locked position.

9. A brewing apparatus comprising:

a hot water heater;

a first temperature sensor connected to the hot water heater;

a second temperature sensor connected to a cold water inlet to the heater;

a pump connected to the cold water inlet for supplying water to the heater;

a system for maintaining water temperature of water exiting the heater, the system comprising a controller coupled to the sensors, wherein the pump is a variable speed pump, wherein power when the hot water heater is ON is supplied as a substantially fixed non-varying power, and wherein the controller is adapted to provide hot water from the heater at a uniform first temperature by varying speed of the pump without varying power supply to the heater; and

a moveable lid and a locking member for locking the lid in a closed position, and a switch connected to the controller for signaling when the locking member has been moved from a locking position.

10. A brewing apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the pump comprises a direct drive solenoid pump.

11. A brewing apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising a user input section connected to the controller, the user input section being adapted to allow a user to select one of at least three brewing modes comprising a first mode having a first quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a first temperature, a second mode having a second quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a second temperature, and a third mode having a third quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a third temperature.

12. A brewing apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the first and second temperatures are about equal.

13. A brewing apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the first and third quantities of water are about equal, and the second quantity of water is different from the first and third quantities of water.

14. A brewing apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the controller is adapted to discontinue supply of electricity to the hot water heater when the switch signals that the locking member has been moved from the locked position.

15. A brewing apparatus comprising:

a controller;

a hot water heater connected to the controller;

a water pump connected to the controller for supplying water to the hot water heater;

a user input section connected to the controller, the user input section being adapted to allow a user to select one of at least three brewing modes comprising a first mode having a first quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a first temperature, a second mode having a second quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a second temperature, and a third mode having a third quantity of water delivered by the pump and the heater at a third temperature, wherein the first and second temperatures are about equal, and wherein the first and third quantities of water are about equal; and

a moveable lid and a locking member for locking the lid in a closed position, and a switch connected to the controller for signaling when the locking member has been moved from a locking position.

16. A brewing apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising a first temperature sensor connected to the hot water heater; and a second temperature sensor connected to either a cold water inlet to the heater or a hot water outlet from the heater.

17. A brewing apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the pump comprises a direct drive solenoid pump.

18. A brewing apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the hot water heater comprises a fixed power heater.

19. A brewing apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising a system for maintaining water temperature of water exiting the heater, wherein power when the hot water heater is ON is supplied as a substantially fixed non-varying power, and wherein the controller is adapted to provide hot water from the heater at a substantially uniform first temperature by varying speed of the pump without varying power supply to the heater.

20. A brewing apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the controller is adapted to discontinue supply of electricity to the hot water heater when the switch signals that the locking member has been moved from the locked position.

Assignments (12)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2024
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; GLOFISH, LLC; SPECTRUM BRANDS PET GROUP, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS PET LLC; EMPOWER BRANDS, LLC; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 067201/0653 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR AGENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) REEL/FRAME 036131/0272 Recorded Jun 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 046301/0425 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036131/0272 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., A CORP. OF FLORIDA; KWIKSET CORPORATION; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; ROV HOLDING, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; ROVCAL, INC.; ROVCAL, INC., A CORP. OF CALIFORNIA; RUSSELL HOBBS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC. AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ROVCAL, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TETRA HOLDINGS (US), INC.; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE
Reel/Frame 036102/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; ROVCAL, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC
Reel/Frame 036052/0845 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2010
From: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; ROVCAL, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 024823/0177 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2010
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.; APPLICA INCORPORATED; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; SALTON, INC.; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024794/0886 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 21, 2010
From: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; ROV HOLDING, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; UNITED PET GROUP, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., A CORP. OF FLORIDA; ROVCAL, INC., A CORP. OF CALIFORNIA
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 024741/0295 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 15, 2008
From: APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 020507/0922 →
MERGER Recorded Feb 17, 2006
From: HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.
To: APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 017183/0292 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2004
From: HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 015452/0839 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2004
From: GRANT, ANTHONY B.; LAND, DONALD O.; ROGISSART, RICHARD J.; TEBO, JAMES A., JR.; SCARCHILLI, JOHN JOSEPH; TROUT, JAMES EARL
To: HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.
Reel/Frame 014932/0962 →