Apparatus for dispensing beverages

#The field of the disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for dispensing beverages, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for dispensing beverages into different sized containers.

#Conventional beverage dispensers have a nozzle for dispensing beverages into beverage containers positioned on a surface below the nozzle. However, the distance between the surface and the nozzle limits the size of beverage containers that can be filled by the beverage dispenser. Specifically, tall beverage containers may not fit in the space between the nozzle and the surface. Conversely, if the space between the nozzle and the surface is greater than the height of the beverage container, an unacceptable amount of the beverage may splash and/or spill when the apparatus dispenses beverage towards the beverage container. Accordingly, some beverage dispensers are adjustable to allow users to dispense beverages into different sized containers. However, known beverage dispensers can be difficult to adjust and may include bulky components for supporting the different sized containers.

#There is a need, therefore, for an improved beverage dispenser that a user can readily adjust to accommodate different sized beverage containers.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing beverages, the apparatus including a platform for supporting a beverage container in a first position;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the platform removed;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the platform in a second position;

#Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

#The apparatus and methods described herein relate to the dispensing of beverages into a beverage container, such as a cup, tumbler, travel container, or the like. With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing beverages is indicated generally at 10. The illustrated dispensing apparatus 10 is a brewer for the hot brewing of beverages from precursor particulates or liquid concentrates such as, without limitation, coffee and tea. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments the apparatus 10 and the various components thereof may be configured and/or used for making other beverages. In further embodiments, the dispensing apparatus 10 may be any type of apparatus that dispenses beverages into a beverage container and may not necessarily make the beverages.

#With particular reference to FIG. 1, the appliance generally comprises a housing 12, a dispensing portion 14, and a base 16. The dispensing portion 14 includes a heating system (not shown), a brew basket (not shown), and a nozzle 18. The brew basket may be any conventional brew basket such as, without limitation, a basket that holds a separate paper or other filter into which the precursor particles are loaded, a basket that is made in part of a filter material so that precursor particles are loaded directly into the basket, or a basket that is itself a replaceable cartridge that holds a beverage precursor. In the exemplary embodiment, the brew basket is generally cup-shaped or frusto-conical and has an open upper end through which precursor particulates are loaded into the brew basket. The brew basket may be constructed from any suitable material, such as, without limitation, metal, glass, ceramic, and/or plastic, that enables the apparatus 10 to function as described herein. The brew basket may be removable from the apparatus 10 and/or may be moveable relative to the housing for loading precursor particulates therein, for emptying used particulates, and for cleaning the basket.