On demand hot liquid dispenser

• US 20070151457A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michelle Rabin, Sandy Bushberg
• Original Assignee: Michelle Rabin, Sandy Bushberg
• Inventors: Bushberg, Sandy, Rabin, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US11/648,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20070151457A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/275
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21008 electrically heated
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21083 with variable operating parameters, e.g. temperature or boiling period
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/36 with mechanical pressure-producing means

Abstract

A system for quickly and accurately heating a liquid to a specified temperature and dispensing the liquid on demand. The system is particularly suited for brewing tea and preferably stores preset temperatures corresponding to different tea varieties. Also preferably, the system allows the user to set customized temperatures. The system also comprises a timer, also having preset and user customizable periods adapted for brewing different varieties of tea.

Claims

1. A system for heating a liquid to a predetermined temperature and dispensing the liquid, wherein the system comprises a reservoir for holding the liquid, a heater having an inlet and outlet, a pump for delivering the liquid from the reservoir through the heater, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent the heater outlet, a conduit for dispensing liquid from the heater outlet and a controller connected to the temperature sensor, the heater and the pump, wherein the controller operates the heater to heat the liquid to the predetermined temperature and operates the pump to dispense the liquid.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate the heater so that the liquid is heated to one of a plurality of predetermined temperatures.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to heat the liquid to four predetermined temperatures.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the four predetermined temperatures comprises a first temperature in the range of approximately 71.11 to 82.23°

C., a second temperature in the range of approximately 71.11 to 82.23°

C., a third temperature in the range of approximately 82.23 to 97.78°

C., and a fourth temperature in the range of approximately 87.78 to 97.88°

C.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the four predetermined temperatures are adapted for brewing tea and wherein the first temperature is adapted for brewing white tea, the second temperature is adapted from brewing oolong tea, the third temperature is adapted for brewing green tea and the fourth temperature is adapted for brewing black tea, blends and herbal tisanes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to heat the liquid to a specific temperature determined by the user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to heat approximately 250 ml of liquid from room temperature to a specified temperature above 70°

C. within approximately 1 min.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is configured to heat approximately 250 ml of liquid from room temperature to the specified temperature above 70°

C. within approximately 30 sec.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to begin dispensing liquid heated to a specified temperature within 30 sec. of activation.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is configured to begin dispensing liquid heated to the specified temperature within 10 sec. of activation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system dispenses liquid that is within approximately 2°

C. of a specified temperature.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the system dispenses liquid that is within approximately 2°

C. of the specified temperature.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a timer.

14. The system of claim 2, further comprising a timer wherein the timer has predetermined periods corresponding to the predetermined temperatures.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the timer is configured to measure sequentially longer periods to correspond to successive brewings of tea leaves.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is removable and wherein the reservoir comprises a sealable port that is configured to mate with an adapter that conveys liquid from the reservoir to the heater inlet.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a light at the outlet configured to illuminate an area to which the liquid will be dispensed to aid the user in positioning a receptacle to receive the heated liquid.

18. A method for heating liquid comprising the steps of:

a. providing an appliance having a reservoir for holding the liquid, a heater having an inlet and outlet, a pump for delivering the liquid from the reservoir through the heater, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent the heater outlet, a conduit for dispensing liquid from the heater outlet and a controller connected to the temperature sensor, the heater and the pump;

b. specifying a temperature, wherein the controller operates the heater to heat the liquid to the specified temperature; and

c. dispensing the heated liquid, wherein the controller operates the pump to deliver the liquid through the conduit.

19. A method for brewing tea, comprising the steps of:

a. providing an appliance having a reservoir for holding room temperature water, a heater having an inlet and outlet, a pump for delivering water from the reservoir through the heater, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent the heater outlet, a conduit for dispensing water from the heater outlet and a controller connected to the temperature sensor, the heater and the pump;

b. specifying a temperature corresponding to the variety of tea being brewed, wherein the controller operates the heater to heat the water to the specified temperature, and

c. dispensing the heated water into a receptacle, wherein the controller operates the pump to deliver the water through the conduit.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the appliance further comprises a timer and further comprising the step of activating the timer for a period corresponding to the variety of tea being brewed, wherein the controller automatically activates the timer after the water is dispensed.