Abstract:
A machine and method makes one or two cups of coffee, determined by the water placed in the machine and the selection made by the consumer. A consumer places coffee grounds into a basket and water into a reservoir then presses a button or buttons to brew coffee. A sensor checks for water in the reservoir then activates a heater which heats the water. The machine pipes the heated water through the coffee grounds and to one or two baskets as selected by the consumer, and the coffee drips into the corresponding one or two cups. A sight gauge upon the reservoir reveals the level of water to prevent overfilling by the consumer. The machine brews coffee and delivers it directly to one cup or two cups for immediate consumption. The present invention has an ovoid appearance, relay method thermostat circuitry, a solenoid switch, and filter baskets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a non-provisional application which claims priority to the provisional application Ser. No. 60/713,778 filed Sep. 2, 2005 and commonly owned by the same inventor. The above noted application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to electric coffee brewing machines and more specifically to thermostat controlled brewers.  
         [0003]     For many years, drip type electric coffee brewers have efficiently made coffee in homes, offices, and rooms of many kinds. Generally a brewer has a reservoir for receiving cold water, an electric resistance heating element for heating the water for brewing, a brew basket for holding ground coffee during passage of heated water, and a housing to contain the component parts. In operation, a consumer pours cold water into the reservoir and places ground coffee in a filter and then into the brew basket. The consumer then activates the brewer where cold water is heated by the heating element, and passes to the brew basket. Heated water then saturates the ground coffee and liquid coffee drips into a cup located below the brew basket. Finished with brewing, a consumer removes the brew basket and cleans it for the next use.  
         [0004]     In hotels, guests often find an electric coffee brewer. The coffee brewer lets the guest get a good start to the day with coffee brewed their way, in the room. However, guests depart a room and leave cleaning of the coffee brewer to hotel staff. Coffee remains a strong substance that imparts its flavor to containers. If the hotel staff does not clean a coffee brewer promptly, the coffee flavor of a prior guest remains in the brewer for the next guest. Also when guests depart a room, the coffee brewer must guard against hazards from dry reservoirs and partially full reservoirs. Common coffee brewers have a time limit for an automatic shutoff that limits those hazards yet permits reheating of a coffee pot for a certain time.  
         [0005]     In homes, people make coffee for themselves. Coffee brewers often have a clear glass pot with servings marked. A consumer fills the pot with water to match the cups of coffee desired. At home, most consumers have two or less cups of coffee yet coffee pots have markings for five or more servings. In many locations, existing coffee brewers are too large for space and for the volume of coffee desired.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0006]     Various types of small coffee brewers have appeared in the prior art for many years. Decanters of various diameters and heights have held brewed coffee for dispensing to groups. Coffee pots of various decors have graced offices and kitchens of all kinds. Other brew baskets have sought to improve maintenance and cleaning of coffee brewers.  
         [0007]     The U.S. patent to Albrecht, U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,263 describes a combination of brew basket and filter pack, a brewing system with a machine that uses filter packs and brew baskets, and a method of brewing coffee. This patent generally describes brewing a single cup of coffee or other heated beverage. The method utilizes a brew basket in different steps of brewing coffee and maintaining a coffee pot. Generally the method has the brew basket being used once and then disposed. The special brew basket has a shape suitable to fit within a brewing machine and a flange to guide and to support the loaded basket. The brew basket may or may not have a filtering medium for added coffee. This application discloses a coffee brewing method emphasizing a brew basket but does not describe temperature control by a thermostat nor a sight gauge to determine water level in a reservoir.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     This invention generally defines a machine and method to make one or two cups of coffee as determined by the amount of water placed in the machine and by the selection made by the consumer. A consumer places coffee grounds into a basket and water into a reservoir then presses a control to brew coffee. A control assembly determines the presence of water in the reservoir then activates a heater. The heater heats the water which is then piped through the coffee grounds. The present invention pipes the heated water to either one or two baskets, as selected by the consumer, and the coffee drips into the corresponding one or two cups.  
         [0009]     To assist consumers, a sight gauge upon the reservoir reveals the level of water. If a consumer sees insufficient water in the gauge, the consumer can add water to the reservoir prior to brewing. Also as a consumer adds water, a full sight gauge deters an observant consumer from overfilling the reservoir. In operation, the present invention brews coffee and delivers it directly to a cup or cup for immediate drinking, but not to a warmed pot for later consumption.  
         [0010]     The present invention also has a partial ovoid appearance, relay method thermostat circuitry, a solenoid switch, one or two cup brewing, and either permanent or disposable filter baskets.  
         [0011]     Therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide a measured amount of water for one or two cup brewing of coffee.  
         [0012]     Another object of this invention is to provide controls for a consumer to select which of two cups receive brewed coffee.  
         [0013]     Still another object of this invention is to provide a washable and reusable basket for containing coffee grounds.  
         [0014]     And another object of this invention is to provide a heat resistant base to support one or two cups.  
         [0015]     These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the summary of the invention as provided herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of the preferred embodiment in view of the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     In referring to the drawings,  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the two cup embodiment of the present invention with cups not shown;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of the two cup embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  provides a back view of the two cup embodiment illustrating the lid and handle of the brew basket or tray;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  describes the left side view of the two cup embodiment showing the sight gauge and the handle of the tray;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  describes the right side view of the two cup embodiment showing the pivoting of the tray;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the two cup embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the two cup embodiment with feet for the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  shows an isometric view of the one cup embodiment of the present invention without a cup shown;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a front view of the one cup embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  provides a back view of the one cup embodiment illustrating the lid and the electrical cord;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  describes the left side view of the one cup embodiment showing the sight gauge and the edge of the brew basket or tray;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  describes the right side view of the one cup embodiment showing the pivoting of the tray;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a top view of the one cup embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  shows a bottom view of the one cup embodiment with feet for the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  illustrates the circuitry of the two cup embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  illustrates the circuitry of the two cup embodiment with a beeper;  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  illustrates the circuitry of the one cup embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  shows the two cup tray opened away from the brewer;  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  shows a front view of a two cup filter and  FIG. 20  shows a top view of the two cup filter; and,  
         [0036]      FIG. 21  shows the one cup tray opened away from the brewer,  FIG. 22  shows a single cup filter, and  FIG. 23  shows a one cup filter. 
     
    
       [0037]     Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0038]     In referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the concept of this invention is readily disclosed. It includes, as depicted therein, a machine  1  having an upright enclosed reservoir  3  defining the rear of the machine  1 , a generally flat base  2  beneath and extended forward of the reservoir  3 , a lid  5  over the reservoir  3  and hingedly connected to a shelf  5   b , control mechanisms upon the shelf  5   b  for a consumer to press, and a tray  6  of two baskets for holding coffee grounds. Internally, the machine  1  has an intake pipe connected to the bottom of the reservoir  3 , a heater  8  upon the intake pipe, additional controls proximate to the heater  8  including a solenoid switch  9   a , and a riser ascending from the intake pipe that carries heated water through and above the reservoir  3  and into the brew basket or tray  6 . The heated water, when in the tray  6 , brews the coffee and descends into a cup as selected by the consumer. The heated water attains a temperature from approximately 100° F. to approximately 220° F. Depending upon local atmospheric pressure, the heated water may attain a temperature above or below the boiling point. Beginning from the base  2 , the machine  1  has a heat resistant base  2  to support two cups. In the preferred embodiment, the base  2  resists heat with a removable metal plate, or drip tray  2   a  containing a pattern of holes. The drip tray has a complementary shape to fit within the base  2  and the reservoir  3 . To ease removal and insertion of the drip tray upon the base, the drip tray has at least one handle, generally centered upon the rear of the drip tray.  
         [0039]     Upon the left side, the reservoir  3  extends upwards leaving a generally half cylinder form, or chamber  3   a , to accept a cup. Towards the upper end of the reservoir  3  at the edge of the cylinder away from the center of the machine  1 , a sight gauge  4  indicates the level of water within the reservoir  3 . In the preferred embodiment, the sight gauge  4  has a transparent plastic that shows the depth of water corresponding to the number of cups of coffee desired. The sight gauge further includes a ball  4   a  that floats upon the water placed into the reservoir. The position of the ball indicates the approximate water level to the user. Opposite the left side, the right side also forms as the reservoir  3  extends upward from the base  2 . The right side has a generally half cylinder form or chamber  3   a  to accept a cup. Between the left side and the right side, the half cylinder shapes intersect forming a generally centered spine  3   b  to support the upper components of the present invention  1 .  
         [0040]     Above the base  2  and the reservoir  3 , the machine  1  has a lid  5  openable to the reservoir  3 . The lid  5  connects by a hinge  5   a , shown in  FIG. 3 , atop the reservoir  3  to the rear of the machine  1 . The lid  5  spans the upper width of the machine  1  and partially across the upper depth. Forward and beneath the lid  5 , the machine  1  has a shelf  5   b . The shelf  5   b  has the means to indicate when the brewing takes place. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator means is two lights  11  and related switches. The switches can be toggle, pressure, buttons and the like. The preferred embodiment uses switches in the form of buttons  10  that operate the present invention  1 , where a button  10  and corresponding light  11  control brewing to the left side and to the right side of the machine  1  respectively. A center button  10  serves as a STOP button  10   a  for the left side and the right side. In alternate embodiments, the indicator means can be a liquid crystal display, a hinged flag, a pin that pops up, a beeper, a buzzer, or sound generator among other things. Forward of the shelf  5   b , a tab  5   c  permits the consumer to grasp the lid  5  of the machine  1 .  
         [0041]     Beneath the shelf  5   b , a brew basket or tray  6  abuts the shelf  5   b  and communicates with the riser. The tray  6  has a handle  6   a  extending toward the left side of the present invention  1 , approximate in elevation to the top of the sight gauge  4 . Opposite the handle  6   a , the tray  6  hingedly connects to the right side of the reservoir  3 .  
         [0042]     Moving to  FIG. 2 , the tray  6  has a hinged connection to an armature  6   b upon the right side. The armature  6   b  has a vertical hollow cylindrical sleeve that accepts a pin from the tray  6 . The armature  6   b  permits the tray  6  to swing outwards from the machine  1  where a consumer adds and removes coffee grounds. In the preferred embodiment, the tray  6  contains single use plastic baskets that contain coffee grounds which a consumer disposes after use. Also, the tray has two halves, where each half has a generally four sided funnel like shape with the narrow opening of the half located towards the base  2 . In an alternate embodiment, the tray  6  itself serves as the basket for one or both sides of the machine  1 . A consumer adds ground coffee contained in a filter material to the basket, brews coffee, and then washes out the tray  6 .  
         [0043]     As can also be noted in  FIG. 3 , the machine  1  includes wiring  2   b  to supply electric power. Mentioned previously, the lid  5  connects to the machine  1  by one or more hinges  5   a  and the handle  6   a  upon the tray  6  extends outward and toward the left of the machine  1 . As a safety feature, the body  3  has an overflow hole  3   c  located proximate to the hinge  5   a . The overflow hole allows water poured by a user that exceeds the volume needed for two cups to exit the brewer. Also located within the body  3  and below the overflow hole  3   c , a water sensor  3   d  regulates the brewing of a single cup. During use of the brewer, a user fills water into the reservoir through the open lid and may exercise little care in the volume of water placed therein. When a user selects brewing of one cup, the weight of the water in excess of one cup accelerates the brewing of a single cup of coffee which raises the risk of burnt coffee or an overflow into a single cup. A water sensor  3   d , located within the reservoir, signals the BREW function to brew only one cup&#39;s worth of coffee though more water is present in the reservoir. In the preferred embodiment, the water sensor has a blade attached to the body of the reservoir and a sensor located at the elevation of the reservoir corresponding to the volume of one cup.  
         [0044]     Viewing the right side of the invention  1 ,  FIG. 4  shows a base  2  generally rectangular in a side view. The reservoir  3  rests upon the base  2  and attaches partially along the perimeter of the base  2 . The reservoir  3  extends upwardly from the base  2  with tapering curves. The back of the reservoir  3  curves gently towards the hinge  5   a , while the curve at the front, curves sharply inwards ahead of the tray  6 . The front curve contains the sight gauge  4  at the edge of the curve and as generally located in the upper half of the front curve. A ball  4   a  floats within the sight gauge and provides a visual indicator of water level to the user of the brewer. At the top of the reservoir  3 , the lid  5  joins the reservoir  3  at the hinge  5   a . Opposite the hinge  5   a , the lid  5  has a tab  5   c  that a user grasps to lift the lid  5  for adding water. Beneath the lid  5 , the tray  6  depends above the base  2 . In this view, the right end of the tray  6  has a handle  6   a  extending perpendicular to the tray  6  and suitable for gripping by a consumer&#39;s thumb. In the center, the tray  6  rests above the spine  3   b  formed into the reservoir  3 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  shows the left side of the invention  1 . Here the wire  2   b  enters the base  2  and the reservoir  3  extends upwardly from the base  2 . As in the left side, the reservoir  3  curves upwardly with the back curving gently towards the hinge  5   a  and the front curving sharply ahead of the tray  6 . The tray  6  on the left end has a depending pin, contained within the armature  6   b . The armature  6   b  has a cylinder to receive the pin and its own pinned connection to the front curve of the reservoir  3 . With the tray  6 , the armature  6   b , and the front curve having pinned connections, the tray  6  rotates inward and outward from the reservoir  3  for a user to add and to remove coffee grounds, and to clean the tray  6 .  
         [0046]     From above, the invention  1  appears as in  FIG. 6 . The base  2  has a generally rounded shape beneath the reservoir  3  and a straight edge or chord upon the perimeter defining the front of the invention  1 . Adjacent to the chord, the base  2  has a plate upon which heated cups rest. The plate has a pattern of holes to insulate the base  2  from heated cups. Towards the right side, the reservoir  3  curves upward and contains the sight gauge  4  with the ball  4   a  floating within. Ahead of the sight gauge  4 , the handle  6   a  extends from the tray  6 . Inwards from the handle  6   a , the lid  5  has a wedge like portion removed to expose a flat shelf  5   b . The shelf  5   b  has cutouts that admit buttons  10  and lights  11  or LEDs in a symmetric arrangement of three buttons  10  and two lights  11 . Two buttons  10  activate brewing in either side of the tray  6 , and a third button  10   a  centered between the other two stops brewing. The lights  11  located on each side of the tray  6  illuminate when the brew button  10  is pressed, thus showing the consumer that brewing is in progress. Outwards of the center button  10   a , the lid  5  has a tab  5   c  that permits the user to lift the lid.  
         [0047]     In operation, the present invention  1  accounts for variable amounts of water placed in the reservoir  3  by a self locking circuit  9   b  of the control assembly  9 . The self locking circuit  9   b  controls the present invention  1  as described below. When the reservoir  3  has no water and a consumer presses a BREW button  10 , the LED  11  illuminates and remains on during the brewing cycle. The LED turns off at the end of the brewing cycle or when the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a.    
         [0048]     When the reservoir  3  has less than a cup of water, a consumer places a cup in either position and presses the corresponding BREW button  10  above the cup. The corresponding LED illuminates and coffee brews until the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a  or the reservoir  3  empties of water and the present invention  1  automatically stops operating. Then the LED turns off, alerting the consumer to a cup partially full of coffee.  
         [0049]     When the reservoir  3  has at least one cup of water but less than two cups, a consumer places a cup in either position and presses the corresponding BREW button  10  above the cup. The corresponding LED illuminates and coffee brews until the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a  or the present invention  1  delivers one cup of coffee and then stops automatically. And then the LED turns off, alerting the consumer to a cup full of coffee. Alternatively, a consumer places two cups within the present invention  1 , and presses both BREW buttons  10 , illuminating both LEDs. The present invention  1  then delivers coffee to both cups until the reservoir  3  empties of water and the present invention  1  stops automatically or until the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a.    
         [0050]     When the reservoir  3  has at least two cups of water, a consumer places one or two cups in the present invention  1 . The consumer then presses the corresponding BREW buttons  10  and the appropriate LEDs illuminate. The present invention  1  then delivers hot coffee for one or two cups as selected by the consumer and the units stop automatically, or until the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a . Alternatively, the consumer places one cup in either position and presses the BREW button  10  above the cup. As before, the present invention  1  brews coffee until the cup fills with coffee and the present invention  1  stops automatically or the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a . If the consumer changes her mind and adds a second cup to the remaining position, the present invention  1  brews coffee for the second cup after the consumer presses the other BREW button  10 , illuminating the other LED. In this alternative, the present invention  1  will fill the first cup first and then the second cup. In the preferred embodiment, the self locking circuit  9   b  has a relay thermostat  9   c .  
         [0051]     Opposite to  FIG. 6 , the bottom view of the present invention  1  appears in  FIG. 7 . Upon the circular portion, the base  2  has two or more feet  2   d  to stabilize the invention  1  when upright.  
         [0052]     And then,  FIG. 8  of the drawings discloses the single cup version of this invention  1 . It includes, as depicted therein, a machine  1  having an upright enclosed reservoir  3  defining the rear of the machine  1 , a generally flat base  2  beneath and forward of the reservoir  3 , a lid  5  over the reservoir  3  and hingedly connected to a shelf  5   b , control mechanisms upon the shelf  5   b  for a consumer to press, and one brew basket or tray  6   c  for holding coffee grounds. Internally, the machine  1  has an intake pipe connected to the bottom of the reservoir  3 , a heater  8  upon the intake pipe, a control assembly  9  proximate to the heater  8 , and a riser ascending from the intake pipe that passes heated water through and above the reservoir  3  and into the tray  6   c . The heated water, when in the tray  6   c , brews the coffee and descends into a cup. Beginning from the base  2 , the machine  1  has a heat resistant base  2  to support one cup. In the preferred embodiment, the base  2  resists heat with a removable metal plate  2   a  containing a pattern of holes. The plate has a complementary shape to fit within the base  2  and the reservoir  3 .  
         [0053]     Upon the base  2 , the reservoir  3  extends upwards leaving an internal generally half cylinder form or chamber  3   a  to accept a cup. Towards the upper end of the reservoir  3  at the edge of the cylinder left of the center of the machine  1 , a sight gauge  4 , augmented with a floating ball  4   a , indicates the level of water within the reservoir  3 . In the preferred embodiment, the sight gauge  4  has a transparent plastic that shows the depth of water corresponding to cups of coffee desired.  
         [0054]     Then in  FIG. 9 , the tray has a single basket  6   c  for receiving coffee grounds. The basket preferably has a generally four sided funnel like shape with the narrow opening of the half located towards the base  2 . Above the base  2  and the reservoir  3 , the machine  1  has a lid  5  openable to the reservoir  3 . The lid  5  connects by a hinge  5   a , later shown in  FIG. 10 , atop the reservoir  3  to the rear of the machine  1 . The lid  5  spans the upper width of the machine  1  and partially across the upper depth. Forward and beneath the lid  5 , the machine  1  has a shelf  5   b . The shelf  5   b  has the means to indicate brewing takes place and buttons  10  to operate the present invention  1 . In the preferred embodiment, the indicator means is one light  11  and related switches. The switches can be pressure, blade, toggle, buttons and the like. The preferred embodiment uses switches in the form of buttons  10  that operate the present invention  1 . Here in the single cup embodiment, a BREW button  10  and corresponding light  11  control brewing for the cupful of coffee. A second button serves as a STOP button  10   a . In alternate embodiments, the indicator means can be a liquid crystal display, a hinged flag, a pin that pops up, a beeper, a buzzer, or sound generator among other things. Forward of the shelf  5   b , a tab  5   c  permits the consumer to grasp the lid  5  of the machine  1 .  
         [0055]     Beneath the shelf  5   b , a tray  6   c  abuts the shelf  5   b  and communicates with the riser. The tray  6   c  has a handle  6   d  extending toward the left side of the present invention  1  approximate the top of the sight gauge  4 . Opposite the handle  6   d , the tray  6   c  hingedly connects to the right side of the reservoir  3 .  
         [0056]     Moving to  FIG. 9 , the tray  6   c  has a hinged connection to the front curve on the right side of the reservoir  3 . The tray  6   c  has a vertical hollow cylindrical pin upon an arm that fits into a cylindrical sleeve within the right side of the reservoir  3 . The pin on the arm permits the tray  6   c  to swing outwards from the machine  1  where a consumer adds and removes coffee grounds. In the preferred embodiment, the tray  6   c  contains a single use plastic basket that contains coffee grounds which a consumer disposes after use. In an alternate embodiment, the tray  6   c  itself serves as the basket for the machine  1  where a consumer adds coffee grounds within a filter material into the basket, brews coffee, and then washes out the tray  6   c.    
         [0057]     As can also be noted in  FIG. 10 , the machine  1  includes wiring  2   b  to supply electric power and the lid  5  connects to the machine  1  by a hinge  5   a . The handle  6   d  upon the tray  6   c  extends toward the left of the machine  1  near the sight gauge  4 .  
         [0058]     Viewing the right side of the invention  1 ,  FIG. 11  shows a base  2  generally rectangular in a side view. The reservoir  3  rests upon the base  2  and attaches partially along the perimeter of the base  2 . The reservoir  3  extends upwardly from the base  2  with tapering curves. The back of the reservoir  3  curves gently towards the hinge  5   a  while the curve at the front deflects sharply inwards ahead of the tray  6   c . The front curve contains the sight gauge  4  at the edge as generally located in the upper half of the front curve. A ball  4   a  within the sight gauge floats and indicates the water level within the reservoir to the user. At the top of the reservoir  3 , the lid  5  joins the reservoir  3  at the hinge  5   a . Opposite the hinge  5   a , the lid  5  has a tab  5   c  that a user grasps to lift the lid  5  for adding water. Beneath the lid  5 , the tray  6   c  depends above the base  2 . In this view, the right end of the tray  6   c  has a handle  6   d  extending perpendicular to the tray  6   c  and suitable for gripping by a consumer&#39;s forefinger just under the shelf  5   b.    
         [0059]      FIG. 12  shows the left side of the invention  1 . Here the wire  2   b  enters the base  2  and the reservoir  3  extends upwardly from the base  2 . As in the left side, the reservoir  3  curves upwardly with the back deflecting gently towards the hinge  5   a  and the front curving sharply ahead of the tray  6   c . The tray  6   c  on the left end has a depending pin, contained within the front curve of the left side of the reservoir  3 . The front curve has a cylindrical hole to receive the pin. With the tray  6   c  in a pin connection with the front curve, the tray  6   c  rotates inward and outward from the reservoir  3  for a user to add and to remove coffee grounds, and to clean the tray  6   c.    
         [0060]     From above, the invention  1  appears as in  FIG. 13 . The base  2  has a generally round shape beneath the reservoir  3 . Between the front curves of the left and right sides of the reservoir  3 , the base  2  has a plate upon which a heated cup rests. The plate has a pattern of holes to insulate the base  2  from a heated cup. Towards the right side, the reservoir  3  curves upward and contains the sight gauge  4  and ball  4   a . Inwards from the handle  6   d , the lid  5  has a wedge like portion removed to expose a flat shelf  5   b . The shelf  5   b  has cutouts that admit buttons  10  and a light  11  in a symmetric arrangement. A brew button  10  activates brewing through the tray  6   c , and the other button  10  stops brewing. The light  11  or LED between the buttons  10  illuminates when the brew button  10  is pressed, thus showing the consumer that the brewing is in progress. Outwards of the light  11 , the lid  5  has a tab  5   c  that permits the consumer to lift the lid  5 .  
         [0061]     In operation, the present invention  1  accounts for variation in the amount of water placed in the reservoir  3  for brewing. When the reservoir  3  has no water and a consumer presses a BREW button  10 , the LED illuminates during the brewing cycle. The LED then turns off at the end of the brewing cycle or when the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a.    
         [0062]     When the reservoir  3  has water, a consumer places a cup into the present invention  1  and presses the BREW button  10  above the cup. The LED  11  illuminates and coffee brews until the consumer presses the STOP button  10   a  or the reservoir  3  empties of water and the present invention  1  automatically stops operating. Then the LED turns off, alerting the consumer to a cup full of coffee.  
         [0063]     Opposite to  FIG. 13 , the bottom view of the invention  1  appears in  FIG. 14 . Upon the circular portion, the base  2  has two or more feet  2   d  to stabilize the invention  1  when standing upright.  
         [0064]     The present invention operates electrically in homes, offices, and workplaces.  FIG. 15  shows the circuitry for the two cup embodiment. Viewing  FIG. 15  in a clockwise direction, the control assembly  9  regulates the operation of the present invention with a microprocessor. Adjacent to the control assembly  9 , a solenoid switch  9   a  stops the heating of the water in event of dry boil or overfilling of a cup. The self locking circuit  9   b  interfaces with the solenoid switch  9   a  to cease the delivery of heat to the water in the reservoir. The water is heated by a heater  8  powered from line  2   b  voltage and protected by a thermostat  9   c . In particular, the contact labeled LO of the thermostat  9   c  operates via the solenoid switch  9   a  to open the circuit to contacts labeled LIN 1  LIN 2 . When the solenoid switch opens, as when the heater reaches a certain temperature, heating of the water stops thus preventing an accidental fire or other incident. A user operates the present invention  1  by pressing either or both BREW buttons  10  to illuminate the LED  11 . The user presses the STOP button  10   a  to cease brewing as desired.  
         [0065]      FIG. 16  shows the circuitry for the alternate two cup embodiment, with a beeper or other sound generator. Proceeding clockwise direction, the control assembly  9  regulates the operation of the present invention with a microprocessor. A beeper  12 , buzzer, or other sound generator provides another indicator to the user regarding the status of the brewing cycle. When the brewing cycle ends, the beeper activates and its sound alerts a user. Proximate to the beeper  12  and the control assembly  9 , a solenoid switch  9   a  stops the heating of the water in event of dry boil or overfilling of a cup. The self locking circuit  9   b interfaces with the solenoid switch  9   a  to cease the delivery of heat to the water in the reservoir. The water is heated by a heater  8  powered from line  2   b  voltage and protected by a thermostat  9   c . As before, the contact labeled LO of the thermostat  9   c  operates via the solenoid switch  9   a  to open the circuit to contacts labeled LN 1  LN 2 . When the solenoid switch opens, as when the heater reaches a certain temperature, heating of the water stops thus preventing an accidental fire or other incident. A user operates the present invention  1  by pressing either or both BREW buttons  10  to illuminate the LED  11 . The user presses the STOP button  10   a  to cease brewing as desired.  
         [0066]      FIG. 17  shows the circuitry for the single cup embodiment where the user operates the present invention by pressing the BREW button  10  and illuminating the LED  11 . When desired, the user presses the STOP button  10   a  to cease brewing. Behind the buttons  10 ,  10   a , the control assembly  9  regulates operations of the present invention. The control assembly  9  has a self locking circuit  9   b  to prevent damage from dry boiling and uses a relay thermostat  9   c  to activate the self locking circuit  9   b  upon attainment of certain temperature conditions. As before, a heater  8  heats the water in the reservoir for brewing coffee by the present invention. The heater  8  and the remainder of the present invention have electrical service supplied by line  2   b.    
         [0067]     The concept of this invention is to encourage use of single or double cup amounts of coffee and water through a readily opened and cleaned tray. Further, this invention has a sight gauge and floating ball to indicate the water level in an otherwise opaque reservoir.  
         [0068]     The two cup tray  6  appears in  FIG. 18 . Here, the tray has been opened outwards from the reservoir  3  by pulling on the handle  6 A. The tray rotated upon the pin  6   b  which revealed two chambers  6   e  formed into the tray. The chambers each have a centered bottom hole for releasing water as coffee into one or two cups below in the brewer. Each chamber has a generally rectangular shape with an inverted pyramidal bottom having four faces. The chambers  6   e  admit a filter  13  upon the tray that contains ground coffee.  
         [0069]      FIG. 19  shows the two cup filter  13  that has a handle  13 A joining two spaced apart baskets  13 B that have a similar shape as the chambers of the tray. The handle joins to the outermost edges of the two baskets. Alternatively, the handle has a hinged connection to the baskets that permits folding for when the tray is closed upon the brewer as in  FIG. 1 . Each basket has a shape to match that of the chambers, generally a four sided funnel with a centered aperture  13 C through which brewer coffee passes to a cup or mug beneath. The baskets are joined upon their innermost edges by a gusset  13 D that extends substantially along the length of the innermost edges of the baskets.  
         [0070]     Turning the filter  13  upwards,  FIG. 20  shows the interior of the baskets  13 B. Below the handle  13   a , each basket  13 B has a depressed wall, generally formed into a rectangle. The wall continues downwards or away from the handle as an inverted pyramidal or conic section. At the lowest and narrowest point, each basket has an aperture  13 C that releases brewed coffee into a mug or cup for consumption by the user. Between the two baskets, a gusset  13 D stiffens the filter  13  and prevents the two baskets from collapsing inwards. The two cup filter is washable, generally symmetric and can be stacked for bulk sales.  
         [0071]     After introducing the single cup brewer in  FIG. 8 , the tray  6   c  opens with a pull on handle  6   d  which opens the tray away from the brewer with its top shown at  5  here in  FIG. 21 . The single cup tray has a chamber  6   f  that has a generally four sided funnel shape with an inverted pyramidal or conic section shaped bottom. The chamber has an aperture at its lowest point for release of brewed coffee. To prevent escape of coffee grounds into a user&#39;s mug, the tray has a disposable basket  14  shown in  FIG. 22 . The basket has a similar shape to the chamber, here shown as a four sided funnel with rounded corners. This basket has a tab  14 A that assists the user in grasping the basket or removing this basket from the tray  6   c . The perimeter edge  14 B of the basket is widened and thickened slightly to stiffen the basket and prevent collapse or slippage of the basket into the chamber. Beneath the perimeter edge, the basket has a wall  14 C that slopes downwards to an aperture  14 D. The basket retains the coffee grounds while the aperture  14 D releases brewed coffee through the aperture in the tray  6   c , and then into a cup or mug beneath for consumption.  
         [0072]     And,  FIG. 23  shows the one cup filter  15  that has a handle  15 A that extends upward and over a lone basket  15 B of a similar shape as the chamber of the tray. The handle joins to the outermost edges of the lone basket. Alternatively, the handle has a hinged connection to edges that permits folding when the tray is closed upon the brewer as in  FIG. 8 . Each basket has a shape to match that of the chamber, generally a four sided funnel with a centered aperture  15 C through which brewer coffee passes to a cup or mug beneath.  
         [0073]     From the aforementioned description, a limited cup coffeemaker has been described. The limited cup coffeemaker is uniquely capable of regulating heating of water depending on the volume of water present in a reservoir. The limited cup coffeemaker and its various components may be manufactured from many materials including but not limited to polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites.  
         [0074]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.  
         [0075]     Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of the invention as defined herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment. Such variations, if within the spirit of this development, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention as shown and described herein. The specific depiction of the invention, as described, and as shown in the drawings, is set forth for illustrative purposes only.