US 6,067,894 A · Coffee maker having a dosage signaling assembly

Abstract

A coffee maker includes a reservoir for accommodating a quantity of water to brew a coffee beverage; a filter basket for accommodating ground coffee to be brewed therein; a water quantity sensor for producing a first signal representing the quantity of water in the reservoir; a coffee quantity sensor for producing a second signal representing the quantity of coffee in the filter basket; and a comparator for comparing a ratio between the first and second signals. The comparator has a first input which is connected to the water quantity sensor and to which the signal is applied; and a second input which is connected to the coffee quantity sensor and to which the second signal is applied. A display device is connected to the comparator for being actuated thereby as a function of the ratio between the first and second signals.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A coffee maker comprising

(a) a reservoir for accommodating a quantity of water to brew a coffee beverage;
(b) a filter basket for accommodating ground coffee to be brewed therein;
(c) a water quantity sensor for producing a first signal representing the quantity of water in said reservoir;
said water quantity sensor comprising a first pressure-transmitting component operatively connected to said reservoir;
a first transducer connected to said first pressure-transmitting component for producing a first electric signal representing a pressure applied to said first pressure-transmitting component by said reservoir as a function of a quantity of water therein;
(d) a coffee quantity sensor for producing a second signal representing the quantity of coffee in said filter basket;
said coffee quantity sensor comprising a second pressure-transmitting component operatively connected to said filter basket;
a second transducer connected to said second pressure-transmitting component for producing a second electric signal representing a pressure applied to said second pressure-transmitting component by said filter basket as a function of a quantity of coffee therein;
(e) a comparator for comparing a ratio between said first and second signals;
said comparator comprising a bridge circuit having
(1) a first branch including said first pressure-transmitting component;
(2) a second branch including said second pressure-transmitting component;
and
(3) a zero branch;
and
(f) a display device connected to said comparator for being actuated thereby as a function of the ratio between said first and second signals;
said zero branch of said bridge circuit including said display device.

14 more elements

A coffee maker comprising

(a) a reservoir for accommodating a quantity of water to brew a coffee beverage;
(b) a filter basket for accommodating ground coffee to be brewed therein;
(c) a water quantity sensor for producing a first signal representing the quantity of water in said reservoir;
said water quantity sensor including a first displaceable component operatively connected to said reservoir;
an extent of displacement of said first displaceable component representing a water quantity present in said reservoir;
(d) a coffee quantity sensor for producing a second signal representing the quantity of coffee in said filter basket;
said coffee quantity sensor comprising a second displaceable component operatively connected to said filter basket;
an extent of displacement of said second displaceable component representing a coffee quantity present in said filter basket;
(e) a comparator for comparing a ratio between said first and second signals;
said comparator having
(1) a first input connected to said water quantity sensor for receiving said first signal;
and
(2) a second input connected to said coffee quantity sensor for receiving said second signal;
(f) a display device connected to said comparator for being actuated thereby as a function of the ratio between said first and second signals;
(g) a base frame;
and
(h) support means for movably supporting said filter basket on said base frame for allowing displacements of said filter basket relative to said base frame as a function of coffee quantities in said filter basket;
said support means including a return spring opposing displacements of said filter basket in response to coffee quantities therein;
said second displaceable component being attached to said filter basket externally thereof.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Coffee maker having a dosage signaling assembly

Life of this patent

Coffee maker having a dosage signaling assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18