Patent ID: 8210093

Claim:
An apparatus for controlled beverage dispensing in a beverage maker, the apparatus comprising: a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus; a reservoir; an inlet tube in communication with the reservoir for directing liquid into the reservoir; an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir; an outlet valve positioned along the outlet tube, the outlet valve being in communication with and controlled by the controller; a first level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a first level, the first level sensor being coupled to the controller; a second level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a second level below the first level, the second level sensor being coupled to the controller; the controller including means to measure a time T for a liquid level in the reservoir to fall from the first level to the second level; the controller being operative to calculate a flow rate by dividing a volume inside the reservoir between the first level and the second level by T; and the controller being operative to compare a subsequently determined flow rate to a previously determined flow rate, and allowing the outlet valve to one of remain open a longer total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is less than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance and close sooner than a total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is greater than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance.