Coffee makers

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved water fill capabilities, improved coffee baskets, and improved steam diverting and management features for coffee makers used on board passenger transport vehicles.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A coffee maker configured for use on board a passenger transport vehicle, comprising:
 (a) a water reservoir;   (b) a dual water fill capability, comprising (i) a water line plumbed into an existing vehicle water line and (ii) an apparatus that receives water poured into the apparatus and directs water to the water reservoir, and   (c) a feature that allows a user to choose to fill the coffee maker with water from a vehicle water tank or with water from an external water source.   
     
     
         14 . The coffee maker of  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus comprises a water fill drawer on a track system, wherein the track system allows the water fill drawer to extend outward for filling from an external water source. 
     
     
         15 . The coffee maker of  claim 14 , wherein the water fill drawer cooperates with the track system at a downward angle such that water entering the water fill drawer is directed via gravity back toward the water reservoir of the coffee maker. 
     
     
         16 . The coffee maker of  claim 13 , further comprising
 (c) a coffee brew basket comprising an insert portion having an injector, such that the coffee brew basket is configured to brew using pre-packaged coffee bags.   
     
     
         17 . The coffee maker of  claim 16 , wherein the coffee brew basket is secured to the coffee maker via a track system or a rotating hinge or both. 
     
     
         18 . The coffee maker of  claim 16 , wherein the coffee brew basket is configured to be pulled horizontally out along a track system and rotated sideways on the rotating hinge. 
     
     
         19 . The coffee maker of  claim 16 , wherein the injector is configured to contact a coffee bag and deliver water thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The coffee maker of  claim 16 , the insert portion having angled side surfaces and an injector positioned on a lower surface, the injector comprising a recessed water release portion, such that when the insert portion is positioned within the coffee brew basket, the injector presses into a pre-packaged coffee bag. 
     
     
         21 . The coffee maker of  claim 13 , further comprising: (c) a low water sensor system configured to sense a low water condition and activate a shut off feature. 
     
     
         22 . The coffee maker of  claim 13 , further comprising: (c) a drip stop valve comprising one or more curved levers. 
     
     
         23 . The coffee maker of  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus that receives water is positioned along a first translation system; and a coffee brew basket positioned along a second translation system. 
     
     
         24 . A coffee maker configured for use on board a passenger transport vehicle, comprising:
 (a) a water reservoir;   (b) a water fill apparatus; and   (c) a low water sensor system configured to sense a low water condition and activate a shut off feature.   
     
     
         25 . The coffee maker of  claim 24 , wherein the low water sensor system comprises a low water float. 
     
     
         26 . The coffee maker of  claim 24 , wherein the low water sensor system comprises a conducting sensor, an infrared sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The coffee maker of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 (c) a drip stop valve comprising one or more curved levers.   
     
     
         28 . The coffee maker of  claim 24 , wherein the water fill apparatus is positioned along a first translation system; and a coffee brew basket positioned along a second translation system. 
     
     
         29 . The coffee maker of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 (c) a coffee brew basket comprising an insert portion having an injector, such that the coffee brew basket is configured to brew using pre-packaged coffee bags.   
     
     
         30 . The coffee maker of  claim 29 , wherein the coffee brew basket is secured to the coffee maker via a track system or a rotating hinge or both. 
     
     
         31 . The coffee maker of  claim 29 , wherein the coffee brew basket is configured to be pulled horizontally out along a track system and rotated sideways on the rotating hinge. 
     
     
         32 . The coffee maker of  claim 29 , the insert portion having angled side surfaces and an injector positioned on a lower surface, the injector comprising a recessed water release portion, such that when the insert portion is positioned within the coffee brew basket, the injector presses into a pre-packaged coffee bag.