Beverage Maker

Abstract

A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a hot liquid generator (HLG) having a tank, an inlet for receiving liquid into the tank and an outlet, at least one heater in thermal communication with the liquid in the HLG tank, and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet of the HLG for discharge of the liquid. The cover is movably attached to the body between a closed position and an open position. At least one valve permits the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port in a closed position of the cover. The at least one valve is mechanically actuated by the cover in the open position of the cover to substantially prevent the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A beverage maker comprising:
 a housing;   a hot liquid generator (HLG) positioned within the housing and having a tank and a conduit having a main portion and first and second branches;   a heater positioned to heat liquid in the HLG;   a discharge port in fluid communication with the first branch of the HLG for discharge of liquid therefrom;   a bypass port in fluid communication with the second branch of the HLG;   a cover movably attached to the housing between a closed position and an open position; and   a valve arrangement comprising:   a pressure relief valve positioned on the second branch in fluid communication with the bypass port; and   a sealing member operatively linked with the cover and positioned on the first branch of the conduit, the sealing member being movable between a discharge position, wherein the sealing member is positioned to enable fluid communication between the main portion of the conduit and the discharge port, and a bypass position, in which the sealing member is positioned to seal the first branch of the conduit and interrupt fluid communication between the main portion of the conduit and the discharge port, such that fluid is directed toward the pressure-relief valve on the second branch.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to release at a pressure of between about 1 and 20 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is a piston of a piston valve. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 1 , wherein the housing incudes a brew basket, and wherein the bypass port is located on the brew basket. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge port is mounted on and movable with the cover. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heater is positioned to heat liquid residing in the tank. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a fitting connected with the main portion, the first branch and the second branch of the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . A beverage maker comprising:
 a housing;   a hot liquid generator (HLG) positioned within the housing and having a tank and a conduit having a main portion and first and second branches, wherein a fitting is connected with the main portion, the first branch and the second branch of the conduit;   a heater positioned to heat liquid in the HLG;   a discharge port in fluid communication with the first branch of the HLG for discharge of liquid therefrom;   a bypass port in fluid communication with the second branch of the HLG;   a cover movably attached to the housing between a closed position and an open position; and   a valve arrangement comprising:   a pressure relief valve positioned on the second branch in fluid communication with the bypass port; and   a piston valve operatively linked with the cover and positioned on the first branch of the conduit, the piston valve having a piston movable between a discharge position, wherein the piston is positioned to enable fluid communication between the main portion of the conduit and the discharge port, and a bypass position, in which the piston is positioned to seal the first branch and interrupt fluid communication between the main portion of the conduit and the discharge port, such that fluid is directed toward the pressure-relief valve on the second branch.   
     
     
         9 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 8 , wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to release at a pressure of between about 1 and 20 psi. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes a brew basket, and wherein the bypass port is located on the brew basket. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 8 , wherein the discharge port is mounted on and movable with the cover. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage maker defined in  claim 8 , wherein the heater is positioned to heat liquid residing in the tank.