US 7,093,530 B2 · Coffeemaker pod carrier

Abstract

A brewing apparatus pod carrier including a frame forming a first pod receiving cavity on a first side of the frame and a second pod receiving cavity on a second opposite side of the frame, and a liquid flow path between the first and second pod receiving cavities. The first and second pod receiving cavities comprise different sizes.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims11

Dependent claims

A brewing apparatus pod carrier comprising a frame forming a first pod receiving cavity on a first side of the frame and a second pod receiving cavity on a second opposite side of the frame, and a liquid flow path between the first and second pod receiving cavities, wherein the first and second pod receiving cavities comprise different sizes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,534 words

Summary737 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a brewing apparatus, such as a coffeemaker, and more particularly to a brewing apparatus having a removable pod carrier.

#2. Brief Description of Prior Developments

Brief description of the drawings19 figures

#The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coffeemaker incorporating features of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coffeemaker shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description10,388 words

#Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a brewing apparatus 10 incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. A similar brewing apparatus is described in U.S. patent application No. 60/327,538 filed Oct. 5, 2001; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,045 filed Sept. 30, 2002; and PCT application No. PCT/US02/30565 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

#In the embodiment shown, the brewing apparatus 10 comprises a coffeemaker. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the brewing apparatus could comprise any suitable type of brewing apparatus such as, for example, a cappuccino maker or a tea maker. The coffeemaker 10 generally comprises a housing 12, a hot water heater 14, a controller 16, a pump 18, a pod receiving section 20, and a water reservoir 22. The coffeemaker is a single serve coffeemaker. More specifically, the coffeemaker is adapted to make a single serving of coffee at a time, such as a single cup or mug.

#The coffeemaker 10 is adapted to be plugged into an electrical outlet by a removable plug 24. The water reservoir 22 is removable from the housing 12. In an alternate embodiment, the coffeemaker might not include a removable water reservoir, such as when the coffeemaker is connected directly to a water supply line or if the water reservoir is non-removable. Referring also to FIG. 2, the water reservoir 22 includes a seal 26 for removably coupling the water reservoir with an inlet 28 to the pump 18. The pump 18 includes an outlet 30 which is connected by tubing 31 to an inlet 32 of the hot water heater 14.

Facts

Application

10/683,133Filed 9 Oct 2003

Published

US 2005/0076786 A114 Apr 2005

Granted

22 Aug 2006

Term ended

10 Dec 2023

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 62 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification5 codes

A47J 31/0668
For brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines: specially adapted for cartridges
A47J 31/0647
Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor: with means to adjust the brewing chamber volume to accommodate different…
A47J 31/0684
For brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines: sealing means for sealing the filter holder to the brewing head
A47J 31/4496
Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus: means to produce beverage with a layer on top, e.g. of cream, foam or froth

Timeline

9 Oct 2003Application filedUS 10/683,133
16 Jan 2004Assigned to HP Intellectual Corp.assignment of assignor's interest
14 Dec 2004Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Agentgrant of security interest
14 Apr 2005PublishedUS 2005/0076786 A1
17 Feb 2006Assigned to Applica Consumer Products, Inc.merger
22 Aug 2006GrantedUS 7,093,530 B2
15 Feb 2008Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Agentsecurity agreement
21 Jul 2010Assigned to Wells Fargo Bank, National Associationsecurity agreement
6 Aug 2010Assigned to HP Intellectual Corp., Applica Incorporated, Applica Consumer Products, Inc., Salton, Inc., Sonex International Corporationrelease of security interest
11 Aug 2010Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Administrative Agentsecurity agreement
2 Jul 2015Assigned to Russell Hobbs, Inc., Applica Consumer Products, Inc., Toastmaster Inc., Spectrum Brands, Inc., Rovcal, Inc., Tetra Holding (US), Inc., United Pet Group, Inc., Seed Resources, L.L.C., Price Pfister, Inc., Kwikset Corporation, National Manufacturing Co., Liquid Holding Company, Inc., Tell Manufacturing, Inc., Salix Animal Health, LLCrelease of security interest
14 Jul 2015Assigned to Applica Consumer Products, Inc., Applica Consumer Products, Inc., A Corp. of Florida, Kwikset Corporation, Liquid Holding Company, Inc., National Manufacturing Co., Price Pfister, Inc., Rov Holding, Inc., A Corp. of Delaware, Rovcal, Inc., Rovcal, Inc., A Corp. of California, Russell Hobbs, Inc., A Corp. of Delaware, Salix Animal Health, LLC, Seed Resources, L.L.C., Spectrum Brands, Inc., Spectrum Brands, Inc. AS Successor In Interest To Rovcal, Inc., Spectrum Brands, Inc., A Corp. of Delaware, Tell Manufacturing, Inc., Tetra Holding (US), Inc., A Corp. of Delaware, Tetra Holdings (US), Inc., United Industries Corporation, United Industries Corporation AS Successor In Interest To Liquid Holding Company, Inc., United Pet Group, Inc., United Pet Group, Inc., A Corp. of Delawarerelease of security interest
20 Jul 2015Assigned to Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
5 Jun 2018Assigned to Royal Bank of Canadanotice of successor agent and assignment of security interest (intellectual property) reel/frame 036131/0272
10 Dec 2023Term endedEstimated, includes 62 days of adjustment

Coffeemaker pod carrier

Life of this patent

Coffeemaker pod carrier

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims11

Description11,534 words

Drawings

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,534 words