Patent Publication Number: US-2016242596-A1

Title: Reservior Filling System

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/120,845, filed on Feb. 25, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to beverage maker systems, and more specifically to a reservoir filling system, for filling a reservoir of a countertop beverage maker. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The majority of conventional coffee and tea makers purchased by consumers for use at home typically have a water reservoir that must be filled manually, for example, by a consumer transferring water from the sink to the counter top beverage maker reservoir using a pitcher, glass, or cup. This process can prove inconvenient and cost inefficient time to the consumer. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for adapting the reservoir of a counter top beverage maker to a water line, comprises a mounting plate for engaging an outer wall of a reservoir, a connector extending from an inside wall of the reservoir, through the reservoir wall, and connecting to the mounting plate, a valve retained on the mounting plate, and a fluid passageway for communicating fluid from the outlet of the valve, through the connector, and into the reservoir. The valve includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway allowing for the control of water into the reservoir. 
     The features and function can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined into a hot beverage brewing system comprising the apparatus for adapting the reservoir of a counter top beverage maker, a heating system, and a water reservoir. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view the reservoir filling system; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the reservoir filling system installed on a water reservoir of a representative example of a countertop, consumer device that heats water for food or beverage preparation; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the processes for installing and operating the reservoir filling. 
     
    
    
     The system and method of use of the present invention is capable of various adaptations, modifications, and alternative forms. The specific embodiments presented in the drawings and described in detail are representative examples. It should be understood that the particular embodiments described should not be construed to limit the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative preferred and other embodiments of the present invention and method of use are provided below, including the structure and method of use. Illustrative embodiments are intended to be examples, and not to limit the invention to the precise form described. The illustrative embodiments are being used to explain the basic elements and function of the invention, as well as provide adequate teachings to enable others skilled in the art to follow, with the understanding that the invention is not limited to the particular form and details of the illustration and embodied unless expressly limited by the claims. 
     The various features of the illustrated embodiments are examples of a method and means for adapting to a conventional countertop coffee or tea maker having a water reservoir that must be refilled manually to allow it to be connected to a water line. Such countertop devices do not have a structure that allows direct connections to a water line for filling the reservoir. The method and means described below allow for reservoir filling with fewer tools and in less time. In addition, once installed, a reservoir filling system increases efficiency and convenience associated with making, for example, hot beverages. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements,  FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a reservoir filling system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In the provided illustrative example, system  101  includes a mounting plate  102  in communication with a connector  104  that, in this example, extends from one side of the mounting plate—the side of the mounting plate for facing an outer wall of a reservoir of a countertop device for heating water—in a direction that is generally normal (at an angle that is within 45 degrees of the normal) or preferably normal, to the plane of side of the mounting plate from which it extends. 
     In this example, the mounting plate  102  has disposed on it a layer  103  of material. The layer  103  of material can comprise an adhesive backing, a foam pad, a rubber pad, or any other like layer for retaining or improving retention of the mounting plate  102  to an outside surface of a reservoir wall, including by either providing mounting place to the wall, or preventing shifting or rotation of the mounting plate. In addition, the mounting plate  102  has a portion, though which is formed a fluid passageway  105  in communication with a valve  106  and connector  104 . Connector  104  has defined through its body a fluid passageway  104   a.  In this example, connector  104  has a threaded end  104   b,  a barb  104   c  on an opposite, free end, and a collar or flange  104   d  between the two ends that extends radially outwardly from an outer circumference of the connector&#39;s body. In this example, the collar is integrally formed with the body of the connector. The threaded end of the connector is screwed into a complementary threaded opening in the mounting plate to secure the connector to the mounting plate while, at the same time, establishing a fluid passageway between the connector and mounting plate. The valve includes an fluid inlet  107 , an outlet  108 , and an inner fluid passageway  109 . Alternatively, fluid passageway  105  may be formed by tubing or a separate structure that is attached to the mounting plate.  FIG. 1 . further illustrates an example of an optional decorative cover  110  for placement over the mounting plate  102  and the valve  106 . This example allows for the valve to be operated while improving the aesthetic appearance of system  101 . 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of system  101 , without a cover, retrofitted to a countertop device  201 , which is this example is a hot beverage maker, such as for making coffee, and mounted onto an outer surface of an outside wall of a reservoir  202  of that device. In the illustrative embodiment, the mounting plate  102  is placed against an outside or exterior surface of outside wall  205  that defines, at least in part, water reservoir  202 . The threaded end  104   b  of connector  104  is inserted through an opening formed in the wall  205 , such as be drilling, and screwed into the threaded opening on the side of mounting plate  102  that is placed against the exterior surface of the wall. The collar  104   d  cooperates with the inside surface of wall  205  to secure system  101  to the device  201 . Layer  103  may also be used—either instead of, or in addition to, the collar  104   d —to secure the mounting plate to the wall using an adhesive material. 
     In an example of an alternative embodiment, the collar of the connector could be formed by a nut or similar flange-like structure, having threaded opening, screwed onto the body of the connector from the inside of reservoir rather permanently formed on the body of the connector  104 . For purposes of this specification, “collar” includes nuts and other flange-like structures extending radially form the body of the connector, whether or not removable or integrally formed, unless the context plainly indicates otherwise. Threads would be formed on the body of the connector. The connector could, if desired, be attached to the mounting plate prior to inserting it through the opening. In this example, the mounting plate is placed against the wall of the reservoir, with the connector extending through the opening in the wall of the reservoir, and the nut then screwed onto the body of the connector to help secure the system  101  to the wall  205  of the reservoir of the device  201 . With this embodiment, rather than attaching the connector to the mounting plate by a threaded connection, the connector could, optionally, be attached to the mounting plate by, for example, pressing fitting, welding, or brazing, the connector to the mounting plate, or otherwise in a manner that does not otherwise permit disconnection and reconnection of the connector from the mounting plate during normal or intended installation or uninstallation of the system  101 . In other embodiments, other means for securing the system  101  to the device could also be used in place of, or in addition to, collar  104   d  or a layer  103  made of adhesive material. 
     In the illustrated example, the layer  103  is optional and may not be required, but it may improve the security with which the mounting plate  102  is attached to the wall of the reservoir  202 . 
     A water line  203  tied into an existing line, such as one supplying a consumer&#39;s refrigerator or sink, is connected to the inlet  107  of the valve  106  using, for example, a compression fitting. Further, a filling tube  204  is attached to the connector  104 . The filling tube redirects the flow of water downward. In the illustrated example, the barbed end  104   c  of the connector allows for easy connection of a short length of plastic tubing to act as the filling tube  204  by pushing the tubing over the barbed end. 
     Valve  106  selectively blocks and opens an internal passageway  109  to the flow of water between inlet  107  and  108  and an outlet. In this example valve  106  has a handle  106   b  for manually opening and closing the valve. Examples of valves  106  include, but are not limited to, simple ball valves or butterfly valves made of plastic, metal, or any other appropriate material. Further, it should be appreciated that the connector  104  can vary in form and material, including pipe or tubing made of plastic, metal, or other appropriate material, and threaded so as to securely connect to the mounting plate  102  through the wall of the reservoir  202 . It is contemplated that a combination of elements allowing for both the securement of the mounting plate  102  to the wall of the reservoir  202  and the flow of water from the mounting plate  102  into the reservoir  202  can replace the connector  104 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example of the process of using the present invention. During use, a consumer follows a set of directions to form a hole in the reservoir  202  of the beverage maker  201  and attach the mounting plate  102  to the wall of the reservoir  202 , as shown with boxes  301  and  302 . The consumer then secures a water line originating, to example, from the consumer refrigerator or sink to the inlet  107  of the valve  106 , as shown with box  303 . A consumer may access a water line  203  on their own or may enlist the services of a plumber to access and adapt the water line to the inlet  107  of the valve  106 . The consumer is able then to fill the reservoir  202  by opening the valve  106 , allowing the reservoir  202  to fill with water, and subsequently to close the valve  106 , as shown with boxes  304 ,  305 , and  306 . 
     As can be seen by the foregoing example, system  101  may be easily incorporated into the use of a counter top beverage maker to adapt it for connection to a water line. This incorporation reduces the risk of spillage associated with conventionally transfer water from a sink to a conventional beverage maker and increases the efficiency and convenience of making hot beverages. 
     Additional embodiments of the present application contemplate that system  101  may, without departing from the scope of the appended claims, vary in size and materials as aesthetical, functional, or manufacturing considerations require. In addition, it should be appreciated that the present invention may further comprise a mounting plate and valve cover for further aesthetic appeal. In an alternative embodiment, for example, floating valve shut off mechanism may be placed inside the beverage maker reservoir and connected, allowing for automatic shut off at a desired level of water. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed are intended to be illustrative only, as embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners.