Dual-circuit coffee maker apparatus

• US 10,638,871 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ce Brands, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ce Brands, LLC
• Inventors: Garcia, Jorge
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phuong T
• Application Number:
  US15/451,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20170251867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 993233, 99279, 99280-283, 99416, 99446
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4403 Constructional details

Abstract

The present invention describes a low-cost apparatus for selectively brewing stronger coffee. The invention provides for a switch and two circuits integral to the coffee maker whereby the user can manually select between a regular brew and a strong brew accomplished by adding in a second circuit.

Claims

1. A dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a reservoir integral to the housing configured to contain an amount of water;

a switch controlling a brew cycle, integral to the housing and electrically communicative with a power source;

a heating element integral to the housing configured to heat the amount of water;

a first circuit integral to the housing and electrically communicative with the switch, said first circuit configured for brewing regular coffee and comprising the heating element in line with a thermostat; and

a second circuit integral to the housing and electrically communicative with the switch, said second circuit configured for brewing strong coffee and comprising a diode in series with the heating element and the thermostat.

2. The dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power cord.

3. The dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch is a double throw switch.

4. The dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus of claim 3 wherein a position of the double-throw switch determines the brew cycle, the double-throw switch comprising:

a first terminal electrically connecting the switch to the power source;

a second terminal electrically connecting the switch to the first circuit; and

a third terminal electrically connecting the switch to the second circuit.

5. The dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus of claim 4 wherein, when the double-throw switch is thrown to a first position, the first circuit connects to the power source thereby causing the heater and the thermostat to heat the water in the reservoir to brew regular strength coffee;

and

wherein, when the double-throw switch is thrown to a second position, connecting the switch to the second circuit, thereby slowing down the brew cycle to brew strong coffee.

6. A method of brewing coffee in a dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus, the method comprising:

providing a switch for selecting brew strength on a housing of the dual-circuit coffee brewing apparatus, the switch in electrical communication with a power source;

providing a first circuit in electrical communication with the switch, the first circuit comprising a heating element in line with a thermostat;

providing a second circuit in electrical communication with the switch, the second circuit comprising a diode in series with the heating element and the thermostat, wherein activation of the diode reduces wattage to the heating element;

based upon the switch being moved from an off position to a first position, connecting the first circuit to the power source, thereby activating the heating element and the thermostat, initiating a brew cycle to heat water in a reservoir for brewing regular strength coffee; and

based upon the switch being moved to a second position, additionally connecting the second circuit to the power source, thereby activating the diode to slow down the brew cycle, resulting in a stronger brew of coffee.