# US 5,344,050 A · Moisture reduction system for an automatic vending machine

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- Number: US 5,344,050 A
- Document ID: US5344050A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/041,669
- Filed: 1993-04-01
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1993-04-01
- Assignees: Unidynamics Corporation
- Inventors: Leonard A. Ficken
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344050A

## CPC

- G07F 13/065: {for drink preparation}
- A47J 31/60: Cleaning devices
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

## Abstract

A moisture reduction system for an automatic vending machine of the hot beverage type which utilizes a movable brewing chamber that opens for the addition of product, such as coffee. The system has a suction tube disposed adjacent the product supply tube and brewing chamber in its product fill position, which draws off moisture from the open chamber so that it does not accumulate on the product supply tube. A filter is disposed at the end of the suction tube to prevent product dust, such as coffee grounds, from being sucked into the tube.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A moisture reduction system for an automatic vending machine of the beverage brewing-type having a brewing chamber mounted for movement between at least a brewing position and a product filling position with an opening through which brewing product is supplied when the brewing chamber is in the filling position, a product storage container and a product delivery conduit for supplying product from the product storage container to the opening in the brewing chamber when the brewing chamber is in the filling position, the system comprising:
a suction tube having an opening disposed adjacent the opening in the brewing chamber and the product delivery conduit when product is being supplied to the brewing chamber in the filling position,
a product filter covering the opening in the suction tube, and
means for creating a suction in the tube sufficient to draw moisture into the suction tube from around the opening in the brewing chamber when product is being supplied thereto.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A moisture reduction system as defined in claim 1 including means for removing product from the filter after each brewing cycle of the brewing chamber.

### Claim 3

A moisture reduction system for an automatic vending machine of the beverage brewing-type having a brewing chamber with an opening through which product is supplied for brewing, a product storage container and a product delivery conduit for supplying product from the product storage container to the opening in the brewing chamber, the system comprising:
a suction tube having an opening disposed adjacent the opening in the brewing chamber and the product delivery conduit when product is being supplied to the brewing chamber,
a product filter covering the opening in the suction tube, and
means for creating a suction in the tube sufficient to draw moisture into the suction tube from around the opening in the brewing chamber when product is being supplied thereto,
wherein the brewing chamber is mounted for movement between a brewing position, a product filling position and a product dumping position and the filter and suction tube openings are disposed adjacent the product fill position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A moisture reduction system as defined in claim 3 including a wiper mounted for movement with the brewing chamber and engaging the filter for part of the wiper movement sufficient to remove product from the filter.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A moisture reduction system as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for removing product from the filter includes a wiper mounted for movement with the brewing chamber and engaging the filter for part of the wiper movement sufficient to remove product from the filter.