Patent ID: 9192260
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A hot beverage maker comprising: a fresh water tank vented to atmosphere; a water heater having an air inlet, a hot water outlet, a fresh water inlet in fluid communication with the fresh water tank to receive fresh water there-from for heating, an electric heating element for heating the received water, one or more thermal sensors for evaluating one or more temperatures of the received water, a primary monitor and at least one secondary monitor for sensing two or more levels of the received water within the water heater; an infusion compartment for containing infusible material, the infusion compartment having an infused beverage outlet and a hot water inlet in fluid communication with the hot water outlet; an infused beverage container that receives infused beverage from the infused beverage outlet; an air pump with a pressurized air outlet; an air valve having a plurality of ports, the air valve selectably enabling one or more from a plurality of air flow paths between the plurality of ports; and a control circuit for receiving and processing signals from the primary and at least one secondary monitor whereby a first signal from the primary monitor indicates that the received water in the water heater is at a maximum level and causes the control circuit to enable the air pump and establish a first of the airflow paths to divert pressurized air from the air pump into the water heater to cause heated water from the water heater to flow through the hot water outlet to the hot water inlet of the infusion compartment to infuse the infusible material; and whereby a second signal from the at least one secondary monitor causes the control circuit to establish a second of the air flow paths that blocks pressurized air flow from the pump, thereby terminating water delivery from the water heater, and that connects the interior of the heater to atmosphere to allow water from the fresh water tank to flow through the fresh water inlet into the water heater.