Abstract:
A beverage maker is provided comprising a housing, a brew head disposed in the housing, a beverage vessel configured to be removably inserted into a recess in the housing and having an interior volume where beverage brewed by the brew head is directed, a removable lid that fits into an opening of the beverage vessel leading to the interior volume, and indicia in the cover configured to display a level of beverage inside the interior volume of the beverage vessel. A hole is provided in the lid where beverage brewed by the brew head flows through before the beverage is directed to the interior volume of the beverage vessel. The indicia includes a plurality of adjacently staggered light tubes of varying length extending downwardly from the lid into the interior volume of the beverage vessel and configured to sense and graphically display the level of be erase within the interior volume.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/752,060 filed on Jan. 14, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a beverage maker, and more particularly, to a hot beverage maker and beverage vessel having a beverage level indicator comprised of a plurality of light tubes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Hot beverages such those made from coffee such as cappuccino, espresso and latte have become very popular. More recently, consumers have had a desire to eliminate the inconvenience of having to go to specialty coffee houses to buy these beverages and to make these hot beverages at home. Many of the current hot beverage makers of this type adapted for home use do not have a thermal carafe where the brewed beverage is dispensed to keep the hot beverage warm. Since thermal carafes of this type typically have insulated, non-transparent walls the level of the brewed beverage inside can&#39;t be seen without removing the carafe from the main housing and removing the lid to see the level of liquid. Moreover, removing the lid to ascertain the liquid level allows precious heat to escape from within the thermal carafe leading to a premature cooling of the hot beverage inside possibly wasting the hot beverage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In an embodiment, there is provided beverage maker comprising a housing, a brew head disposed in the housing, a beverage vessel configured to be removably inserted into a recess in the housing and having an interior volume where beverage brewed by the brew head is directed, a removable lid that fits into an opening of the beverage vessel leading to the interior volume, and indicia in the cover configured to graphically display a level of beverage inside the interior volume of the beverage vessel. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, there is provided a hot beverage maker comprising a housing, a brew head disposed in the housing configured to brew a hot beverage, a thermally insulated beverage vessel configured to be removably inserted into a recess in the housing and having an interior volume where the hot beverage brewed by the brew head is directed, a removable lid that fits into an opening of the beverage vessel leading to the interior volume, and indicia in the cover configured to graphically display a level of beverage inside the interior volume of the beverage vessel. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, there is provided a beverage vessel, comprising a bottom wall, an annular sidewall extending from the bottom wall and ending in an annular opening leading to an interior volume where beverage is stored for further dispensing, a removable lid that fits into the opening, and indicia in the lid configured to graphically display a level of beverage inside the interior volume of the beverage vessel. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hot beverage maker constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the hot beverage maker of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the hot beverage maker of  FIGS. 1-2  taken along line III-III of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a beverage vessel for the hot beverage maker of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the beverage vessel of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the beverage vessel of  FIG. 4  taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0013]    It should be understood that the present drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or structure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to  FIGS. 1-2 , a beverage maker  1  constructed according to the teachings of one embodiment of the present invention is shown including a housing  2  and a beverage vessel assembly  4 . The beverage maker  1  may be for making a brewed hot beverage such as coffee, latte, cappuccino, espresso or any other beverage hot or cold. In an embodiment, the beverage vessel  4  is a thermally insulated to keep the brewed beverage inside hot. However, this is not mean to be limiting as any beverage vessel  4  including a non-thermal beverage vessel may be used as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The beverage vessel assembly  4  fits into a recess  5  in the housing  2  so as to allow beverage brewed in the housing  2  to drip into the beverage vessel assembly  4 . A ledge  6  is disposed at the bottom of the recess  5  providing a support surface for the beverage vessel  4  when inserted into the housing  2 . 
         [0015]    Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , housing  2  may include an electrical cord and plug (not shown). The electrical cord (not shown) is preferably designed to plug into a standard household 110V electrical outlet so as to supply the hot beverage maker  1  with power. However, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the electrical cord (not shown) may be designed for electrical outlets of other shapes, types, voltages, and so forth, as may be the norm in other countries. 
         [0016]    Housing  2  includes a brew head assembly  10  that includes a water heater assembly  14 , reservoir  16  and electronic control panel  18 . A brew basket  20  is generally positioned within top housing  12 , but is preferably removable therefrom. Reservoir  16  is preferably separated from brew basket  20  such that liquid in reservoir  16  is not in direct contact with brew basket  20 . Reservoir  16  may be shaped and contoured to at least partially surround brew basket  20 . A valve assembly  40  is also positioned within the main housing  2  for controlling the flow of brewed coffee from brew basket  20  to the beverage vessel  4 . A pedal  41  extending into the recess  5  is engaged when the beverage vessel  4  is inserted into the recess  5 . The pedal  41  is connected via a linkage  42  to operate the valve assembly  40 . Top lid  22  covers the reservoir  16 , valve assembly  40 , linkage  42  and brew basket  20 . 
         [0017]    As will be understood, when coffee is to be brewed, coffee grounds are loaded into the brew basket  20 , which is then inserted into brew head  10 . Once water is poured into reservoir  16  and the brew cycle is activated via electronic control panel  18 , water is drawn from reservoir  16  into water heater assembly  14  where it is heated. The water then travels from water heater assembly  14  through a showerhead  15  that directs the heated water into the coffee grounds contained within the brew basket  20 . As shown, water heater assembly  14  heats the water which causes the water to expand and travel through connecting tubing through the shower head  15  into the brew basket  20 . Alternatively, a fluid pump (not shown) or other mechanism to pump hot water separate from water heater assembly  14  may be used. The hot water seeps through the coffee grounds, and drips from the brew head  10  as brewed coffee, through valve assembly  40  to a conduit  42  within steam cap  45 , and down into the beverage vessel assembly  4  for holding and storage therewithin. The steam cap  45  may include a gasket  47  to create a seal between a lid  110  ( FIG. 4 ) of the beverage vessel assembly  4  and the steam cap  45  when the beverage vessel assembly  4  is inserted into the recess  5 . 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the beverage vessel assembly  4  is illustrated in additional detail. The beverage assembly  4  may include carafe  105 , which may be made of glass, ceramic material, metal, or another suitable opaque or non-transparent material. The selected material may or may not be thermally insulated. The beverage vessel assembly  4  may also include the lid  110 , pouring spout  107 , handle  106  and a lid release button  108  embedded in the handle  106 . The lid  110  fits into an opening  109  ( FIG. 6 ) at the top of the carafe  105 . The carafe  105  is formed from a bottom wall  103  ( FIG. 6 ) and an annular sidewall  104  ( FIG. 6 ) that ends at the opening  109  ( FIG. 6 ). A single hole  112  is formed in lid  110  which aligns a conduit  46  within the steam cap  45  when the beverage vessel assembly  4  is positioned within the housing  2 . Such an alignment allows brewed beverage from the brew basket  20  to flow from the brew basket  20  through the valve assembly  40  and the conduit  46  to within the carafe  105 . The hole  112  may include a valve (not shown) biased into the closed position to prevent spillage when the beverage vessel assembly  4  is removed from the housing  2 . The valve (not shown) opens under gravity when brewed beverage is flowing through the hole  112  into the carafe  105 . Oppositely, when the beverage vessel assembly  4  is removed from within the housing  2  the valve assembly  40  is closed and brewed beverage is prevented from flowing from within the the brew basket  20  through the valve assembly  40  and the conduit  46  to the carafe  105 . A sunken portion  113  of the lid  110  is provided to aid in collecting and directing brewed beverage flowing from conduit  46  to the hole  112  and into the carafe  105 . 
         [0019]    Still referring to  FIG. 4  and also to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , disposed in the lid  120  is a plurality of beverage level indicia  120   a,    120   b,    120   c  and  120   d.  In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of beverage level indicia  1 . 20   a,    120   b,    120   c  and  120   d  further include translucent light tubes  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  and  125   d  extending downwardly from the lid  110  into an interior volume of the carafe  105  and each having a first end end visible from the exterior of the lid  110 . In another embodiment, there may a single light tube  125  and associated indicia  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the light tubes  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  and  125   d  are of varying length staggered adjacent to and spaced apart one another between the outermost light tubes  125   a  and  125   d  on opposing sides. Alternately, the light tubes  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  and  125   d  may be staggered directly adjacent one another with no space therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a plurality of four indicia  120  and light tubes  125  but this not meant to be limiting as there could be any number of indicia  120  and light tubes  125  associated with any variation of liquid levels within the carafe  105 . 
         [0020]    As the level of the beverage fluctuates within the carafe  105 , light entering each of the light tubes  125   a    125   b ,  125   c  and  125   d  through their first end is transmitted through the light tubes  125   a,    125   b ,  125   c  and  125   d  and is either reflected at a opposite second angled end (when the beverage is below the height of the individual light tube  125 ) or absorbed into the beverage (when the beverage is at or above the height of the individual light tube  125 ). When the beverage level is below the height of the individual light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d,  the reflected light is transmitted back through the light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d  and out of the light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d  through their first end. As a result, the associated beverage level indicia  120   a,    120   b,    120   c  and  120   d  is seen as clear indicating the beverage level within the carafe  105  is below at least the height of that light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d.  Oppositely, when the beverage level is above the height of the individual light tube  125   a ,  125   b,    125   c  or  125   d , the reflected light is absorbed into the liquid beneath it and light is not transmitted back through the light tube  125   a,    125   b ,  125   c  or  125   d  and back out of the light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d  through their first end. As a result, the associated beverage level indicia  120   a,    120   b ,  120   c  or  120   d  is seen as darkened or unclear indicating that the beverage level within the carafe  105  is below at least the height of that light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   c.    
         [0021]    The principle of operation of the light tubes  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d  is well known and requires very little discussion herein. Essentially, the index of refraction at the second end of each light tube  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  and  125   d  is modified when the angled tip is immersed in liquid allowing light to pass unobstructed into the liquid below. In contrast, if the angled tip is not immersed in liquid it is reflected hack by the angled faces of the tip along the same ray path it traveled to the angled tip and back through the first end of the light tube  125   a ,  125   b,    125   c  or  125   d.  The light tubes  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  or  125   d  may be formed from suitable light transmitting materials, such as certain types of plastic and glass but this not meant to be limiting in any sense. 
         [0022]    An example of the foregoing operation of the plurality of indicia  120   a,    120   b,    120   c  and  120   d  and associated light tubes  125   a,    125   b,    125   c  and  125   d  to graphically display the liquid level in the carafe  105  of beverage vessel assembly  4  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the liquid level in the carafe  105  of beverage vessel assembly  4  is at the half-full (½) level meaning the liquid level is at or above the height of the light tubes  125   c  and  125   d . As a result, light entering the light tubes  125   c  and  125   d  through their first end is absorbed into the liquid below and indicia  120   c  and  120   d  are seen as darkened or unclear indicating that the carafe  105  is at least at the half-full liquid level. Oppositely, light entering the light tubes  125   a  and  125   b  through the first end is reflected back through and out of the light tubes  125   a  and  125   b  through their first ends such that indicia  120   a  and  120   b  are seen as darkened or unclear indicating that the carafe  105  is below at least the full and three-quarters full (¾) liquid levels. With little reasoning it is obvious that the carafe  105  is at the half-full liquid level and that by viewing which of the indicia  120   a,    120   b,    120   c  and  120   d  are clear or darkened it is relatively easy to determine the liquid level within the carafe  105  without removing the lid  110 . 
         [0023]    Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a beverage maker with a beverage vessel having a novel beverage level indicator. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.