The present disclosure relates generally to a beverage maker system and, more particularly, to vent valve for a pressurized beverage maker system.
Beverage makers include, but are not limited to, percolators, conventional automatic drip coffeemakers (ADCs) and pressurized espresso or cartridge-style beverage makers. Typical cartridge-style beverage makers can include an air pump that forces a volume of water through a cartridge containing the infusible material, such as coffee grounds, at above-ambient pressure. The pressurized cartridge-style beverage maker systems include expensive and relatively complex components, particularly in comparison to a standard ADC or other unpressurized beverage maker system.
Therefore, there is a need for a pressurized cartridge-style beverage maker system that employs simplified and more cost effective components. The device of the present disclosure accomplishes at least the above objectives and overcomes the above-described or other disadvantages of conventional pressurized beverage makers systems.
Briefly stated, a pressurized beverage making system comprising a reservoir a vent valve is disclosed. The vent valve includes an interior chamber and a first and second position. The first position partially defines a first flow path for air in the reservoir to escape the interior chamber for the reservoir via the vent valve and the first flow path. The second position closes the first flow path and opens a second flow path from an air pump to the reservoir. The air pump displaces the vent vale from the first position to the second position when the air pump is actuated. A method for operating the same and further related embodiments of the subject apparatus and method are disclosed herein.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring to
Once the fluid in the boiler 10 reaches a desired temperature, as monitored by a temperature probe 20 that is in or otherwise thermally connected to the reservoir 10, an air pump 22 can be actuated. Activation of the air pump 22 displaces (due to the air pressure from the air pump 22) a seal in the vent valve 30 to close the first outlet or flow path 34/36. Prior to activation of the air pump 22, the first flow path 34/36 is open to permit air to exit the reservoir 10 out into the ambient air. The seal in the vent valve 30 is biased into this first position (which may be termed the “vent” position).
Once the seal in the vent valve 30 is displaced, the vent valve 30 defines a second flow path 32/34 that permits air from the air pump 22 into the reservoir 10. The air pressure provided by the air being pumped maintains the seal in the vent valve 30 in this second position (which may be termed the “pressurize” position). With the seal in the vent valve 30 in this second, pressurize position, the only outlet for the reservoir 10 is the outlet tube 24. As such, pressurized air from the air pump 22 forces the water 16 in the reservoir 10 to move up through the outlet tube 24 and exit through outlet 28 to a user container, passing through any optional infusible material along the way.
Three apertures are defined in the exterior wall 38. These apertures extend through the exterior wall 38 to provide access to the chamber 40. Aperture 32 provides a fluid (air) connection between the air pump 22 and the chamber 40. Aperture 34 provides a fluid (air) connection between the boiler 10 and the chamber 40. Aperture 36 provides a fluid (air) connection between the chamber 40 and ambient.
Two different airflow paths are defined through the vent valve 30 depending on the position of the piston 42. The first airflow path is defined through the vent valve 30 when the piston 42 is in the open or vent position (
When the air pump 22 is activated, air is pumped through aperture 32 into the chamber 40. This air pressure causes the piston 42 to move from the vent position to the pressurize position. When the piston 42 is in the closed or pressurize position, air flows from the air pump 22 through aperture 32 into the chamber 40 and then exits the vent valve 30 through aperture 34 into the boiler 10. Thus, the second airflow path is into the vent valve 30 through aperture 32, through the chamber 40, and out of the vent valve 30 through aperture 34.
The piston 42 stays in the pressurize position as long as the air pump 22 remains activated. When the air pump 22 is deactivated, the spring 44 biases the piston 42 back into the vent position, thereby closing off the second airflow path and re-opening the first airflow path.
The size of the piston 42 and the position of the aperture 34 are selected such that the first airflow path is open and the second airflow path is closed when the piston 42 is in the vent or open position and such that the second airflow path is open and the first airflow path is closed when the piston 42 is in the closed or pressurize position.
In use, the vent valve 30 will initially be in the first position so that, as water from the water inlet 12 fills the reservoir 10, air in the reservoir 10 can escape through the vent valve 30 to ambient. After a predetermined amount of fluid (such as water 16) has been pumped into the reservoir 10 and after the water 16 has been heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 18, the air pump 22 is engaged to pump air through the vent valve 30 into the reservoir 10 to pressurize the interior of the reservoir 10. The pumped air from the engaged air pump 22 positively displaces the vent valve piston 42 from the first position to the second position, such that air cannot escape via the vent valve 30 and such that the air from the air pump 22 can reach the reservoir 10. The fresh water inlet may also comprise a one-way or check valve 14 to prevent air from escaping out the water inlet 12. The elevated air pressure forces fluid through the outlet tube 24. The heated fluid exits the system via the water outlet 28. The pumped water can interact with an infusible material (not illustrated) to create a flavored beverage. The infusible material may be loose, such as coffee grounds, in a pre-packaged soft pod, in a hard cartridge, or the like.
Referring now to
Four apertures are defined in the exterior wall 58 of the vent valve 50. These apertures extend through the exterior wall 58 to provide access to the chamber 60. Aperture 52 provides a fluid (air) connection between the air pump 22 and the chamber 60. Aperture 56 provides a fluid (air) connection between the chamber 60 and ambient. Aperture 54 provides a fluid (air) connection between the boiler 10 and the chamber 60 along a first airflow path (described further below). Aperture 55 provides a fluid (air) connection between the boiler 10 and the chamber 60 along a second airflow path (described further below).
Two different airflow paths are defined through the vent valve 50 depending on the position of the piston 62. The first airflow path is defined through the vent valve 50 when the piston 62 is in the open or vent position (
When the air pump 22 is activated, air is pumped through aperture 52 into the chamber 60. This air pressure causes the piston 62 to move from the vent position to the pressurize position. When the piston 62 is in the closed or pressurize position, air flows from the air pump 22 through aperture 52 into the chamber 60 and then exits the vent valve 50 through aperture 55 into the boiler 10. Thus, the second airflow path is into the vent valve 50 through aperture 52, through the chamber 60, and out of the vent valve 50 through aperture 55.
The piston 62 stays in the pressurize position as long as the air pump 22 remains activated. When the air pump 22 is deactivated, the spring 64 biases the piston 62 back into the vent position, thereby closing off the second airflow path and re-opening the first airflow path.
The size of the piston 62 and the position of aperture 54 and aperture 55 are selected such that the first airflow path is open and the second airflow path is closed when the piston 62 is in the vent or open position and such that the second airflow path is open and the first airflow path is closed when the piston 62 is in the closed or pressurize position.
A second side (the left side as shown in
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.