Keurig Dr Pepper has been granted a patent for a method and apparatus for venting a heater tank in a beverage forming apparatus. The invention involves using a vent valve that is opened and closed based on the movement of a brew chamber lid. The vent valve is positioned on a separate vent line from the delivery line that delivers heated liquid to the brew chamber. The patent also includes a design where the vent valve is attached to the handle for easy movement. GlobalData’s report on Keurig Dr Pepper gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Keurig Dr Pepper, intelligent beverage dispenser was a key innovation area identified from patents. Keurig Dr Pepper's grant share as of September 2023 was 62%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A patent granted for a method and apparatus for venting a heater tank in a beverage forming apparatus
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11771259B2) describes a beverage forming apparatus that includes a brew chamber, a heater tank, and a vent valve. The brew chamber holds a beverage ingredient and has a liquid inlet and a beverage outlet. The heater tank receives liquid and has outlets connected to the brew chamber and a vent line. The vent valve controls the flow of fluid out of the vent line.
One of the key features of this apparatus is the lid of the brew chamber, which can be opened and closed using a handle. The vent valve is coupled to the handle, so when the handle is moved from the closed position to the open position, the vent valve opens, allowing fluid to pass through the vent line. Conversely, when the handle is moved from the open position to the closed position, the vent valve closes, preventing fluid from escaping through the vent line. Importantly, the opening and closing of the vent valve is independent of the movement of the lid of the brew chamber.
The vent valve itself includes a movable seal and a vent outlet. When the vent valve is closed, the seal covers the vent outlet, and when the vent valve is open, the seal is spaced from the vent outlet. This design ensures that the vent line is properly sealed when the vent valve is closed and allows fluid to escape when the vent valve is open.
The apparatus also includes a frame and a linkage system that guides the movement of the handle. The vent outlet is fixed to the frame, while the handle and the lid of the brew chamber are movable relative to the frame. This arrangement allows for smooth and controlled operation of the handle and ensures proper alignment of the vent valve with the vent outlet.
Overall, this beverage forming apparatus provides a convenient and efficient way to control the flow of fluid during the brewing process. The coupling of the vent valve to the handle simplifies the operation, and the independent movement of the vent valve and the lid of the brew chamber ensures reliable performance.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
