IP Library Granted Patent US 8,640,605
Granted Patent B2
US 8,640,605 · App. 12/122,920 · Granted Feb 4, 2014

Gas venting system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,640,605
App. No.
12/122,920
Granted
Feb 4, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Beverage making equipment, water heating equipment, and methods for using such equipment which use heated water and dispenses heated water from a heated water reservoir. The apparatus includes a water line extending from the heated water reservoir to a dispensing point, the line having a positive slope between the reservoir and dispensing point. A vent tube may also be used communicating with and coupled to the line with a return passage communicating with the vent and reservoir. The method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir involves dispensing water from the reservoir at one level and delivering water to a dispensing point at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir. the method may also include providing a vent tube coupled to and communicating with the line for removing gas which evolves from water passing through the line and returning the gas to the reservoir.

Claims (30)

1. A beverage making device comprising

a heated water reservoir for retaining a volume of water in a heated condition and a holder for retaining a beverage making substance for infusion with the heated water during a brewing process,

a dispensing line extending from a side of the heated water reservoir to a dispensing point proximate the holder for delivering heated water to the holder for making a beverage during the brewing process,

a vent tube having a first end communicating with and coupled to the dispense line at a position spaced from the reservoir,

a return passage communicating with a second end of the vent tube and the reservoir at a location on the reservoir spaced apart from the dispensing line for collecting gas from the dispensing line and returning it to the reservoir.

2. The beverage making device of claim 1 , further comprising the dispensing line having a positive slope between the reservoir and dispensing point.

3. The beverage making device of claim 1 , further comprising the vent tube having a cross sectional area which is greater than the cross sectional area of at least a portion of the dispensing line to facilitate out gassing and return of gas to the reservoir.

4. The beverage making device of claim 3 , further comprising a portion of the vent tube extending above the corresponding water level of the water in the reservoir.

5. The beverage making device of claim 1 , further comprising the return line extending from dispensing line and communicating with a top portion of the reservoir for coupling to the reservoir at a location above the water level of the reservoir.

6. A beverage making device comprising

a heated water reservoir for retaining a volume of water in a heated condition and a holder for retaining a beverage making substance for infusion with the heated water during a brewing process,

a dispensing line extending from a side of the heated water reservoir to a dispensing position proximate the holder for delivering heated water to the holder for making a beverage during the brewing process,

the dispensing line having a positive slope defined between the reservoir and the dispensing position,

a return line coupled to the dispensing line at one end spaced from the reservoir, and a second end of the return line coupled to the reservoir at a location on the reservoir spaced apart from the dispensing line for collecting gas from the dispensing line and returning it to the reservoir.

7. A method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir of a beverage maker for use in making beverages, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a holder for retaining a beverage making substance;

providing a dispensing line communicating with the reservoir at a dispensing port and extending from the reservoir to a dispensing position proximate the holder for delivering heated water to the holder for making a beverage;

dispensing water from the reservoir at one level;

delivering water to a dispensing position at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir;

providing a return line coupled to the dispensing line at one end and to the reservoir at a spaced apart end;

collecting gas from the dispensing line in the return line; and

returning the collected gas to the reservoir.

8. A method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir of a beverage maker for use in making beverages, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a holder for retaining a beverage making substance;

providing a dispensing line communicating with the reservoir at a dispensing port and extending from the reservoir to a dispensing position proximate the holder for delivering heated water to the holder for making a beverage;

dispensing water from the reservoir at one level through the dispensing line;

delivering water to a dispensing position proximate the holder and at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir;

providing a vent tube coupled to and communicating with the dispensing line;

removing gas which evolves from water passing through the dispensing line; and

returning the gas to the reservoir through the return line.

Assignments (5)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Jul 23, 2025
From: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
To: BUNN COMMERCIAL LP
Reel/Frame 072183/0854 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2023
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064206/0235 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2019
From: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 048788/0316 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 14, 2011
From: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 025633/0733 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2008
From: HART, BURTON L.
To: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021292/0988 →