David C Hawks

US Patent:

7640846, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Jun 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426392

Inventors:

Steve Williamson - Arvonia VA, US
William D. Starr - Richmond VA, US
David Hawks - Glen Allen VA, US
Rong Liu - Glen Allen VA, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. - Glen Allen VA

International Classification:

A47J 31/46
A47J 31/58

US Classification:

99305, 99300, 993233, 2221465, 222505

Abstract:

The invention relates to a brewed beverage maker with a diverter valve assembly placed between a heater and a showerhead, the diverter valve assembly fluidly connected to both the heater and showerhead. Opening the beverage maker during a brew cycle automatically causes at least a portion of the fluid passing through the diverter valve assembly to be diverted to a channel that directs the fluid to a point downstream of the showerhead in the brew cycle. In one embodiment of the invention, the diverted fluid is directed to a filter basket. The channel may optionally include a basin to collect and direct the diverted fluid. The outlet of the diverter valve assembly may form the showerhead.