# US 7,610,849 B2 · In-door coffee maker for refrigerators > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,849 B2 - Document ID: US7610849B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/371,796 - Filed: 2006-03-09 - Published: 2007-09-13 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-09 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Inventors: William J. Bigge; Steven C. Drees - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610849B2 ## CPC - F25D 23/12: Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove - A47J 31/36: with mechanical pressure-producing means - A47J 31/42: Beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee {(coffee mills A47J42/00; coffee roasters in general A23N12/08)} - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract A refrigerator has a cabinet including a refrigeration compartment and a supply of water in the cabinet, with a door attached to the cabinet to selectively open and close access to the refrigeration compartment. A water conduit is located in the door to supply water from the cabinet supply of water to a point of utilization in the door. A water heater is located in the door arranged to heat water from the cabinet supply of water. A brew chamber is located in the door and arranged to receive a supply of ground coffee beans and water heated by the water heater to make brewed coffee. A dispensing outlet communicates with the brew chamber to allow for the dispensing of the brewed coffee at the door of the refrigerator, and a control is provided to control the heating of the water and the dispensing of the brewed coffee. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet including a refrigeration compartment and a supply of water in said cabinet, a door attached to said cabinet to selectively open and close access to said refrigeration compartment, a water conduit located in said door to supply water from said cabinet supply of water to a point of utilization in said door, a water heater in said door arranged to heat water from said cabinet supply of water, a brew chamber located in said door and arranged to receive a supply of ground coffee beans and water heated by said water heater to make brewed coffee, a dispensing outlet communicating with said brew chamber to allow for the dispensing of said brewed coffee at said door of said refrigerator, said dispensing outlet comprising two dispensers for dispensing brewed coffee, and a control for controlling said heating of said water and said dispensing of said brewed coffee. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A refrigerator according to claim 1, further including insulation provided between said water heater and said refrigeration compartment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said brew chamber includes an area for receiving a porous package of ground coffee beans. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein said area comprises a removable chamber. ### Claim 5 A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet including a refrigeration compartment and a supply of water in said cabinet, a door attached to said cabinet to selectively open and close access to said refrigeration compartment, a water conduit located in said door to supply water from said cabinet supply of water to a point of utilization in said door, a water heater in said door arranged to heat water from said cabinet supply of water, a reservoir for receiving and holding whole coffee beans, a brew chamber located in said door and arranged to receive a supply of ground coffee beans and water heated by said water heater to make brewed coffee, a dispensing outlet communicating with said brew chamber to allow for the dispensing of said brewed coffee at said door of said refrigerator, and a control for controlling said heating of said water and said dispensing of said brewed coffee. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A refrigerator according to claim 1, including a collection chamber for grounds used in said brew chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said brew chamber is sized to provide a single serving of coffee. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said reservoir is located in said door. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) A refrigerator according to claim 5, including a grinding mechanism to grind said whole coffee beans. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A refrigerator according to claim 9, including a mechanism for transporting ground coffee beans from said grinding mechanism to said brew chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A refrigerator according to claim 10, including a collection chamber for grounds used in said brew chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A refrigerator according to claim 11, including a filled collection chamber indicator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing outlet comprises a water dispenser in addition to a coffee dispenser at said door. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing outlet comprises an ice dispenser in addition to a coffee dispenser at said door. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) A refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing outlet comprises a water dispenser in addition to a coffee dispenser at said door. ### Claim 16 (depends on 5) A refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing outlet comprises an ice dispenser in addition to a coffee dispenser at said door. ### Claim 17 (depends on 5) A refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said reservoir is in thermal communication with the refrigeration compartment. ### Claim 18 A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet including a refrigeration compartment and a supply of water in said cabinet, a door attached to said cabinet to selectively open and close access to said refrigeration compartment, a water conduit located in said door to supply water from said cabinet supply of water to a point of utilization in said door, including a water dispenser to allow for the dispensing of said water to a user, a water heater in said door arranged to heat a portion of said water from said cabinet supply of water, a reservoir for receiving and holding whole coffee beans, a grinding mechanism to grind said whole coffee beans, and a mechanism for transporting ground coffee beans from said grinding mechanism to said brew chamber a brew chamber located in said door and arranged to receive a supply of ground coffee beans and said water heated by said water heater to make brewed coffee, a dispensing outlet communicating with said brew chamber to allow for the dispensing of said brewed coffee at said door of said refrigerator, and a control for controlling said heating of said water and said dispensing of said brewed coffee. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein said reservoir is located in said door. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A refrigerator according to claim 18, including a collection chamber for grounds used in said brew chamber. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A refrigerator according to claim 20, including a filled collection chamber indicator.