Abstract:
A coffee maker having a housing having a brewing chamber in which coffee is produced, a water reservoir attached to the housing, a system to pump water from the reservoir, heat the water and then deliver the heated water to the brewing chamber, and an adjustable spout removably and movably secured to the housing for receiving the coffee produced in the brewing chamber wherein the adjustable spout is moveable upward and downward. The coffee maker also has a lid that is moveable attached to the housing. The lid is moveable between a closed position that provides a sealed brewing chamber and an open position that allows access to the coffee pod holder and the coffee pod therein. The coffee maker has a pressure valve that routes excess pressurized water back to the reservoir.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to coffee makers and in particular, coffee makers that utilize coffee pods. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Coffee makers that use coffee pods are known in the art and are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,009,792 and 6,748,850 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0066431. As is illustrated by these aforesaid patents, pods containing ground coffee are inserted into the coffee maker. Heated water is provided to the coffee pods in order to produce one or more cups of coffee. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a new and improved coffee maker that utilizes coffee pods. In one embodiment, the coffee maker comprises a housing having a brewing chamber in which coffee is produced, a water reservoir attached to the housing, a system to pump water from the reservoir, heat the water and then deliver the heated water to the brewing chamber, and an adjustable spout that is removably and movably secured to the housing for receiving the coffee produced in the brewing chamber. The adjustable spout is moveable upward and downward to accommodate coffee cups of different sizes. 
   The housing of the coffee maker has a funnel receiving space that is sized for receiving a coffee funnel. The coffee maker further comprises a coffee funnel positioned in the funnel receiving space, and a coffee pod holder removably positioned on the coffee funnel and sized to receive at least one coffee pod. 
   The coffee maker further comprises a lid moveably attached to the housing for covering the funnel receiving space, the coffee funnel, the coffee pod holder and coffee pod therein so as to provide a brewing chamber. The lid is moveable between a closed position that provides a seal around the periphery of the funnel receiving space so as to provide a sealed brewing chamber and an open position that allows access to the coffee funnel, the coffee pod holder and coffee pod therein. 
   The lid includes a corresponding lid locking device that, when in a first position, firmly locks the lid to the housing so as to create the sealed brewing chamber, and when in a second position, releases the lid from the locked position to allow the lid to be opened to allow insertion or removal of a coffee pod and/or coffee pod holder. 
   An advantage of the coffee maker of the present invention is that the lid locking device is solid and sturdy and provides a high-integrity, sealed brewing chamber. 
   An important feature of the coffee maker of the present invention is that the spout may be adjusted in position in order to accommodate coffee cups of various sizes. The spout has a handle that allows the user to easily move the spout up or down. 
   Another important feature of the coffee maker of the present invention is that it does not use a boiler to heat water as is done in some prior art coffee makers. Instead, the coffee maker of the present invention utilizes aluminum heater elements. It has been found that fabricating the heater elements from aluminum provides a heater element that has significantly improved heating efficiency in comparison to prior art stainless steel heating elements. Another advantage of the aluminum heater elements is that such heaters are relatively less expensive than stainless steel heater elements. A further advantage is that these aluminum heater elements have a quick preheating time period. Thus, these aluminum heater elements can be preheated in an amount of time that is less than the amount of time needed to preheat prior art stainless steel heater elements. 
   In one embodiment, the coffee maker includes a pressure valve to route excess pressurized water back to the reservoir. 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readily apparent and may be understood by referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coffee maker of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a coffee funnel depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the coffee funnel of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a funnel receiving space depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a coffee pod holder used in the coffee maker of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is an elevational view showing the spout and funnel that are depicted in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a system to pump and heat water, the system being depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a pressure valve depicted in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a side view, in cross-section, of the pressure valve of  FIG. 12 , the pressure valve being completely assembled; 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram of another embodiment of a system to pump and heat water that can be used by the coffee maker of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1  showing the lid locking device configured to release the lid so it can be opened; 
       FIG. 16  is a partial view, in cross-section, showing the position of engagement members when the lid locking device is configured to release the lid so the lid can be opened; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1  showing the lid locking device being configured into the locked position; 
       FIG. 18  is a partial view, in perspective, of the top portion of the coffee maker of  FIG. 1 , the cover not being shown in order to facilitate viewing of the lid locking device in the locked position; 
       FIG. 19  is a partial view, in cross-section, showing the position of the engagement members when the lid locking device is configured in the locked position; 
       FIG. 20  is a plan view of a lock body depicted in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  15 - 19 ; and 
       FIG. 21  is a plan view of the lid frame depicted in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  15 - 19 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The ensuing description makes reference to  FIGS. 1-21  of the drawings. The drawings are not drawn to scale. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown coffee maker  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Coffee maker  10  generally comprises base  12 , housing  14 , water tank  16 , water tank cover  17 , housing cover  18 , lid  20  and handle  22 . Housing  14  includes front housing section  24  in which the hot coffee is made. Front housing section  24  has an upper portion  24 A. This feature is described in the ensuing description. Handle  22  cooperates with a lid locking device to lock lid  20  to front housing section  24  and to release and open lid  20 . Thus, lid  20  can move in the directions indicated by arrow  29 . Once lid  20  is opened, a user will have access to coffee pod holder  30  and the coffee pod therein. The handle  30 A of coffee pod holder  30  extends from front housing section  24  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Coffee maker  10  further includes drip tray cover  26  which covers drip tray  27 . Drip tray  27  is disposed in drip tray recess  28  in base  12  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Coffee pod holder  30  is removably positioned in front housing section  24  as will be described in the ensuing description. Control panel  40  is located on base  12 . Control panel  40  is connected to electronic control circuit  604  (see  FIG. 5 ) and wiring (not shown, but known in the art) that are located in base  12  and which control the functions of coffee maker  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , coffee maker  10  further includes spout  50  that extends from the bottom  72  of front housing section  24 . Spout  50  is positioned over coffee cup  52  which is supported by drip tray cover  26 . Spout  50  can be adjusted upward or downward to accommodate coffee cups of different heights. Spout  50  comprises lower section  53  and upper section  54 . The diameter of the lower section  53  is greater than the diameter of upper section  54 . This difference in diameters provides shoulder  55 . Spout  50  includes a circumferentially extending groove located just below shoulder  55  and a friction ring  56  that is disposed within the circumferentially extending groove. Friction ring  56  can be fabricated from any suitable material that can provide friction when it contacts another surface. In one embodiment, friction ring  56  is made of rubber. Other suitable materials can be used as well. Spout  50  also comprises handle  57  which is attached to lower section  53 . Spout  50  includes protrusion  58  that extends from upper section  54 . The purpose of this particular structure of spout  50  is discussed in the ensuing description. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  6 - 8 , upper portion  24 A of front housing section  24  has a notch or cut-out  25  therein. Notch  25  is bordered by side walls  25 A and  25 B and front edge  25 C. Generally flat section  25 D is sunken below front edge  25 C as can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 8 . Front housing section  24  further includes funnel receiving space  60  that is sized for receiving funnel  62 . Funnel receiving space  60  is defined by a bottom surface  64  and circumferentially extending wall  66 . Bottom surface  64  has an opening  68  that is communication with vertically oriented channel  70 . Channel  70  has an inner wall  71 . Channel  70  extends to bottom portion  72  of front housing section  24 . Wall  66  has notch  69  (see  FIG. 8 ) that is aligned with notch or cut-out  25  in upper portion  24 A of front housing section  24 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , coffee pod holder  30  comprises handle  30 A and coffee pod holder section  30 B. In one embodiment, coffee pod holder section  30 B is sized to hold one coffee pod. In an alternate embodiment, coffee pod holder section  30 B is sized to hold more than one coffee pod. 
   Referring to FIGS.  4  and  6 - 9 , funnel  62  has circumferentially extending wall  80  and bottom surface  82  which cooperate to define interior region  84 . Interior region  84  is sized for receiving coffee pod holder section  30 B. Circumferentially extending wall  80  has notch  85  which is aligned with notch  69  in wall  66  (see  FIG. 8 ). The purpose of notch  69  is discussed below in the ensuing description. Funnel  62  further includes opening  92  in bottom surface  82 . Guard  93  is positioned over opening  92  and allows brewed coffee to flow therethrough. Funnel  62  further includes vertically extending conduit  94  that is communication with opening  92 . The brewed coffee that drips down on bottom surface  82  flows into opening  92  and down conduit  94 . When funnel  62  is positioned in funnel receiving space  60 , conduit  94  is disposed in channel  70 . Funnel  62  also includes horizontally extending stem  100  that protrudes through notch  69  in circumferentially extending wall  66  that surrounds funnel receiving space  60 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7  and  9 , spout  50  is removably and slidably disposed within channel  70 . Friction ring  56  is in constant contact with inner wall  71  of channel  70 . Thus, there is a constant frictional relationship between friction ring  56  and inner wall  71 . This frictional relationship does not prevent the movement of spout  50 , but instead, allows spout  50  to be positioned at a desired position without spout  50  sliding or moving down on its own. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7  and  9 , the diameter of vertically extending conduit  94  is configured so that it can fit inside upper section  54  of spout  50  when spout  50  is positioned in channel  70 . Thus, coffee can travel through conduit  94  and into the interior of spout  50  without any leakage or spillage. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 8 , inner wall  71  of channel  70  has annular shoulder  110 . Annular shoulder  110  has notch  112  therein that is sized to receive protrusion  58  on upper section  54  of spout  50 . In order to secure spout  50  within channel  70  and ensure that spout  50  does not fall out of channel  70 , spout  50  is inserted into channel  70  so that handle  57  faces housing  14  and protrusion  58  is aligned with notch  112  in annular shoulder  110 . Once protrusion  58  passes through notch  112 , the user then rotates spout  50  about 180 degrees so that handle  57  faces outward as shown in  FIG. 4 . Spout  50  has been moved downward to its maximum limit when protrusion  58  contacts annular shoulder  110 . Thus, spout  50  is prevented from falling out of channel  70 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  11 , there is shown a system used by coffee maker  10  that stores water, pumps the water, heats the water and provides the heated water to the brewing chamber where the coffee is made. Reservoir or tank  16  stores an amount of water, e.g. six cups. Pump  140  pumps water from reservoir  16  causing the water to flow through flow meter  142  and into pump  140 . As the water is pumped from reservoir  16 , the water flows through conduit  130  and valve  144  before it enters flow meter  142 . Pump  140  has an outlet  148  that is fluidly connected to conduit  150 . Conduit  150  is fluidly connected to tube  152 . Elbow conduit  153  fluid connects tube  152  to tube  154 . Thus, water flows through conduit  150 , tube  152 , conduit  153  and tube  154 . Tubes  152  and  154  are adjacent to each other. Heater element  160  is adjacent to tube  152 . Heater element  162  is adjacent to tube  154 . Therefore, as the water flows through tubes  152  and  154 , the water is heated by heater elements  160  and  162 . In a preferred embodiment, the heater elements  160  and  162  are fabricated from aluminum. Coffee maker  10  includes electrical circuitry  604  (see  FIG. 5 ) and wiring (not shown) that powers heater elements  160  and  162 . After the heated water exits tube  154 , it flows through conduit  170 . Conduit  170  can be configured as a flexible hose. The water flows through pressure valve  180  and into conduit  174 . Conduit  174  includes water outlet  175  that is in fluid communication with water port  176 . Water port  176  is attached to lid frame  200 . Heated water exits water port  176  and contacts and permeates a coffee pod (not shown) that is disposed in coffee pod holder  30 . The passing of the heated water through the coffee pod produces coffee which drops down to funnel  62 . The coffee then passes through conduit  94  of funnel  62  and into spout  50 . The brewed coffee flows from spout  50  into coffee cup  52 . As a result of the operation of pump  140 , the heated water is pressurized. Pressure valve  180  routes any excess pressurized heated water through conduit  190  and into valve  144 . Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , pressure valve  180  comprises “T” section  182 , cork  184 , three-pass valve spring  186  and valve cover  188 . In one embodiment, cork  184  is configured as a silicone cork. 
   An advantage of the heating system shown in  FIG. 11  is that the water can be heated to a relatively high temperature because the water first flows through tube  152  and is heated by aluminum heating element  160 . This heated water then flows through tube  162  wherein it is heated again by aluminum heating element  162 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  11 , coffee maker  10  utilizes electronic circuitry  604  and wiring (not shown) that are electrically connected to control panel  40 , pump  140  and heater elements  160  and  162 . A user can depress the appropriate buttons on control panel  40  to control pump  140  to pump an amount of water to produce the desired amount of coffee. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of a water heating system that can be used in coffee maker  10 . This alternate heating system comprises a single water tube  190  and a pair of aluminum heater elements  192  and  194 . Water tube  190  is between heater elements  192  and  194 . Conduit  150  is fluidly connected to tube  190  so that water flows from outlet  148  of pump  140  into tube  190 . Tube  190  includes outlet  195  which is fluidly connected to conduit  196 . Conduit  196  is fluidly connected to pressure valve  180 . Pressure valve  180  is fluidly connected to conduit  197 . Conduit  197  has outlet  198  that is in fluid communication with water port  176 . Water port  176  is attached to lid frame  200  as described in the foregoing description. Therefore, water is outputted by pump  140  and then flows into tube  190 . As the water flows through tube  190 , it is heated by heating elements  190  and  192 . The heated water exits tube outlet  195 , flows through conduit  196 , pressure valve  180 , conduit  197  and into fluid port  176 . The heated water then exits water port  176  and contacts and permeates a coffee pod (not shown) that is disposed in coffee pod holder section  30 B of coffee pod holder  30  as described in the foregoing description. Pressure valve  180  functions in the same manner as described in the foregoing description. Pressure valve  180  routes excess pressurized heated water through conduit  199 , through valve  144  and into reservoir  16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  15 - 21 , lid  20  of coffee maker  10  comprises lid frame  200  and a lid locking device. The lid locking device is configured to lock lid frame  200  to the top of front housing section  24  so that the lid frame  200  is positioned over coffee pod holder  30 . The lid locking device is also configured to release the lid frame  200  from the top of front housing section  24  so as to provide access to coffee pod holder  30 . This enables lid  20  to pivot in the direction indicated by arrow  29  in  FIG. 1 . The lid locking device comprises lock body  204  that is movably positioned on top surface  201  of lid frame  200 . Top surface  201  has a plurality of equidistantly spaced ribs  202  which add structural integrity to lid frame  200  and facilitate movement of lock body  204 . Lock body  204  can move forward or backward, as indicated by arrow  204 A (see  FIG. 18 ), to an open position and to a locking position. The central portion of lock body  204  is cut-out to form opening  205 . Lock body  204  has a wall  209  that partially extends about opening  205 . Wall  209  has a rear section  209 A. Lid frame  200  includes mounting posts  206  and  208  that are rigidly attached to lid frame  200 . Lever  210  has arms  210 A and  210 B. As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  17  and  18 , lever  210  is pivotally mounted between posts  206  and  208 . Handle  22  is attached to lever  210  so that pivoting handle  22  will pivot lever  210 . Lever  212  is located within opening  205  of lock body  204 . Lever  212  has one end that is pivotally mounted between arms  210 A and  210 B of lever  210  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  17  and  18 ) via pivot pin  211  and an opposite pivot pin (not shown). The opposite end of lever  212  is pivotally attached to rear section  209 A of wall  209  by a pair of pivot pins, one of which being pivot pin  214 , the opposite pivot pin not being shown (see  FIG. 18 ). In one embodiment, the pivot pins (e.g. pivot pin  214 ) are attached to lever  212  and are disposed through openings  215  in wall  209  of lock body  204  (see  FIG. 20 ). Lid frame  200  includes support posts  216  that are rigidly attached to lid frame  200  (see  FIG. 21 ). Each support  216  has a notch  218  that is sized for receiving a corresponding horizontally extending stem  220  of lock body  204  (see  FIGS. 20 and 21 ). A corresponding spring  230  is mounted on each stem  220 . Each stem  220  is disposed in a notch  218  of a corresponding support post  216 , and each spring  230  is mounted on a corresponding stem  220  so that the spring  230  is interposed between lock body  204  and a corresponding support post  216 . Lock body  204  includes arms  240 , the purpose of which is discussed in the ensuing description. Lock body  204  further comprises rear engagement member  250  and side engagement members  252  and  254 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  18  and  21 , lid frame  200  is pivotally attached to housing  14  via pins  302  and  304 . Torsion springs  306  urge lock body  204  forward in the direction indicated by arrow  400  when lid frame  200  is in the open position (see  FIG. 16 ). Lid  20  covers pins  320 ,  304  and torsion springs  306  (see  FIGS. 1 and 5 ). As shown in  FIG. 21 , lid frame  200  has an opening  310  for receiving conduit  174 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 16 , front housing section  24  includes complementary engagement members  350  and  352 . Front housing section  24  includes recess  354  adjacent member  350  which provides a space under member  350 . Similarly, front housing section  24  includes recess  356  adjacent member  352  which provides a space under member  352 . Such spaces are sized so as to allow engagement members  252  and  254  to slide under complementary engagement members  350  and  352 , respectively. For example, referring to  FIG. 16 , recess  356  provides space  360  under complementary engagement member  352 . Referring to  FIG. 21 , lid frame  200  further includes sections  370  and  372  that are arranged so as to be positioned over complementary engagement members  350  and  352 , respectively, when lid frame  200  is in the closed position. Lid frame  200  includes opening  380  that is in front of and extends under section  370 . Opening  380  allows engagement member  252  to slide under complementary engagement member  350  when lid frame  200  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 18 . Similarly, lid frame  200  includes opening  382  that is in front of and extends under section  372 . Opening  382  allows engagement member  254  to slide under complementary engagement member  352  when lid frame  200  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
   When the lid frame  200  is not in the closed position, torsion springs  306  urge lid frame  200  open such that lid  20  is angulated with respect to housing cover  18 . When a user desires to lock lid  20  to front housing section  24 , the user pushes lid  20  downward so as to overcome the resistance of torsion springs  306  and so that lid frame  200  will contact the top portion of front housing section  24  and cover funnel  62 , coffee pod holder  30  and the coffee pod therein. At this point, handle  22  is in the upright position shown in  FIG. 15 . When handle  22  is in the position shown in  FIG. 15 , springs  230  urge lock body  204  forward in the direction indicated by arrow  400  (see  FIG. 16 ). As a result, engagement members  250  and  252  are positioned forward of complementary engagement members  350  and  352 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 16 . Thus, engagement members  250  and  252  are not engaged with complementary engagement members  350  and  352 , respectively. Next, the user pivots handle  22  forward as indicated by arrow  402  in  FIG. 17 . As handle  22  is pivoted forward, lever  210  pivots and causes lever  212  to push lock body  204  in the direction indicated by arrow  403  in  FIG. 17 . As handle  22  is pivoted forward and lever  212  pushes the lock body  204  backward, lever  210  pulls one end of lever  212  upward as indicated by arrow  404  in  FIG. 17  and as shown in  FIG. 4 . Arms  240  limit the range of upward movement of lever  212 . As a result of the rearward movement of lock body  204 , engagement members  252  and  254  become positioned under and engaged with complementary engagement members  350  and  352 , respectively, and engagement member  250  is disposed through rear opening  374  in lid frame  200  (see  FIG. 21 ) and into rear opening  355  (see  FIG. 8 ) in the portion of housing  14  that is just above funnel receiving space  60 . The complementary engagement members  350  and  352  are configured, sized and positioned so that engagement members  252  and  254  frictionally contact the surfaces of complementary engagement members  352  and  354 , respectively. Similarly, rear opening  355  (see  FIG. 8 ) is sized and positioned so as to create a frictional relationship between the perimetrical edge of opening  355  and engagement member  250 . Preferably, engagement members  252  and  254  have beveled edges  450  and  452 , respectively, to facilitate insertion of the members  252  and  254  under complementary engagement members  352  and  354 , respectively. Similarly, engagement member  250  has beveled edge  456  to facilitate insertion of engagement member  250  through rear opening  355  (see  FIG. 8 ) and rear opening  374  (see  FIG. 21 ). 
   When handle  22  is pivoted to the maximum limit as shown in  FIG. 18 , lid frame  200  is firmly locked to front housing section  24  and forms a seal over funnel receiving space  60  thereby forming a brewing chamber. In order to release and open lid frame  200 , the user simply pivots handle  22  in the opposite direction so that it becomes positioned as shown in  FIG. 15 . As handle  22  is pivoted in the opposite direction (i.e. opposite to the direction indicated by arrow  402  in  FIG. 17 ), engagement members  252  and  254  are withdrawn from under complementary engagement members  350  and  352 , respectively, and engagement member  250  is withdrawn from opening  355  (see  FIG. 8 ) and opening  374  (see  FIG. 21 ). Consequently, torsion springs  306  urge lid  20  open. When lid  20  is open, the user can then remove the coffee pod, coffee pod holder  30  and funnel  62 . Once the user removes these items, the user will have access to the funnel receiving space  60  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , lid frame  200  further comprises distribution disk  500  that is attached to the underside of lid frame  200 , and radial seal  502  that extends about distribution disk  500 . Distribution disk  500  has openings  504  that distribute heated water received from water port  176 . When lid frame  200  is locked in the closed position, distribution disk  500  firmly presses against the coffee pod (not shown) that is positioned in coffee pod holder  30  and radial seal  502  forms a seal around the periphery of funnel  62  so as to create a brewing chamber. Heated water passes through openings  504  in distribution disk  500  and into the coffee pod (not shown) that is supported by coffee pod holder  30  so as to produce brewed coffee. The brewed coffee is dispensed through spout  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , coffee maker  10  also includes brackets  600 , support plates  600  and  601 , and fasters  603  that retain and support electronic circuitry  604  and wiring (not shown) that is connected to control panel  40 , heater elements  160  and  162 , and other electrical components in coffee maker  10 . In one embodiment, the electronic circuitry  604  is configured to provide a predetermined amount of time in which the aluminum heater elements  160  and  162  are preheated. After this predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the electronic circuitry  604  activates pump  140  to allow water to flow through tubes  152  and  154 . Such electronics is known in the art and is therefore, not discussed in detail. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , coffee maker  10  further includes support plate  620  that is located within base  12  and supports several of the components of coffee maker  10  including pump  140 , flow meter  142 , and the water heating system which comprises water tubes  152 ,  154  and heater elements  160  and  162 . Mounting clips  650  and bracket  670  are used to mount the water heating system to housing  14 . Fasteners  680  (e.g. screws) are used to assembly together all the aforesaid components. 
   The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, as these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description should be considered as exemplary in nature and not as limiting the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.