Reservior Filling System
OwnerMark Andrew Bennettinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims19
An apparatus for adapting a counter top device for heating water, with a manually refillable reservoir, for connection to a water line, comprising:
- a mounting plate having a first side adapted for engaging an outer wall of a reservoir, and a second side opposite the first side;
- a valve disposed on the second side of the mounting plate, the valve comprising an inlet for connection to a water source and an outlet;
- a connector extending from the first side of the mounting plate, in a direction generally normal to the first side of the mounting plate, and having a fluid passageway extending from a first end of the connector, nearest the mounting plate, and a free end of the connector, the fluid passageway in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve.
The apparatus of claim comprising a flexible, reservoir filling tube connected to the free end of the connector.
A hot beverage brewing system comprising:
- a water reservoir, the water reservoir having at least one outside wall with an exterior surface;
- a heating system for heating water from the reservoir;
- and
- a water line adapting apparatus comprising:
- a mounting plate having a first side engaging the exterior surface of the outer wall of the reservoir, and a second side opposite the first side;
- a valve disposed on the second side of the mounting plate, the valve comprising an inlet for connection to a water source and an outlet;
- a connector extending from the first side of the mounting plate, through a hole in the outside wall of the reservoir, generally in a direction normal to the first side of the mounting plate, and having a fluid passageway extending from a first end of the connector next to the mounting plate, a free end extending into the reservoir, and a fluid passageway formed through the connector in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve.
The apparatus of claim comprising a flexible, reservoir filling tube connected to the free end of the connector.
A method for adapting a countertop hot beverage brewing system, having a manually refillable water reservoir, for refilling by a water line, the method comprising:
- installing a water line adapting apparatus onto an outside wall of the water reservoir of a countertop hot beverage brewing system, installing comprising,
- forming a hole in the outside wall;
- inserting an elongated connector through the hole;
- placing a mounting plate having a first side against an exterior surface of the outside wall of the reservoir, wherein the mounting plate has disposed on a second side opposite the first side, a valve comprising an inlet for connection to a water source and an outlet;
- securing the mounting plate to the outside wall;
- wherein the connector extends from the mounting generally in a direction normal to the first side of the mounting plate, and has a fluid passageway extending from a first end of the connector next to the mounting plate, a free end extending into the reservoir, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve, the fluid passageway formed along the central axis of the connector;
- connecting a water line to the inlet of the valve;
- and
- opening the valve allowing water to flow into the water reservoir of the countertop hot beverage brewing system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.