Drip stopping mechanism of coffee machine

Abstract

A coffee machine includes a frame and a brew basket slidably mounted to the frame. The brew basket includes a beverage outlet. A drip stop mechanism operatively associated with the brew basket includes a slider slidably mounted to an underside of the brew basket and a capture member mounted on the frame. The slider is adapted to move from a sealed closed position in which the beverage outlet is closed by the slider toward a brewing open position in which the beverage outlet is open when the brewing basket is mounted on the frame. The slider is adapted to move from the open position toward the closed position upon removal of the brew basket from the frame. The capture member is adapted to engage the slider when the brew basket is mounted on the frame.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 405,573 filed on September 12, 2022, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Background Art

[0002] Hot beverage brewing machines for brewing coffee, tea, etc. are well known in the art. There are many different types of hot beverage brewing machines that employ various brewing techniques and principles. In some cases, water is poured into a separate chamber and coffee grounds are placed in a paper filter that is mounted in a filter basket located above a container. Thereafter, the water is heated and directed into a funnel from which it drips through the coffee grounds and into the container, thereby making coffee. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a coffee machine includes a frame and a brewing basket slidably mounted to the frame. The brewing basket includes a beverage outlet. A drip stop mechanism is operatively associated with the brewing basket. The drip stop mechanism includes a slide slidably mounted to the underside of the brewing basket. The slide is adapted to move from a sealed closed position in which the beverage outlet is closed by the slide toward a brewing open position in which the beverage outlet is open when the brewing basket is mounted on the frame. The slide is adapted to move from the open position toward the closed position in which the beverage outlet is opened when the brewing basket is removed from the frame.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a drip stop mechanism for a brew basket of a coffee machine is provided. The coffee machine includes a frame for the brew basket. The drip stop mechanism includes a slide slidably mounted to the underside of the brew basket and a capture member pivotally mounted to the frame. The slide is adapted to slide along the underside of the brew basket between a brewing open position in which the brew basket is mounted on the frame and a sealed closed position in which the brew basket is removed from the frame. The capture member is adapted to engage the slide when the brew basket is mounted on the frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coffee machine according to the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 2 According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a Figure 1 A perspective view of a brew basket on a support frame of a coffee machine.

[0007] Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 2, depicting an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a drip stop mechanism for a brew basket, the drip stop mechanism comprising a slide mounted on the brew basket and a capture member mounted on a support frame.

[0008] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A partial bottom perspective view of a brew basket depicting the slide of the drip stop mechanism in a brew-on position.

[0009] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A partial bottom perspective view of a brew basket depicting a slide of the drip stop mechanism in a sealed closed position.

[0010] Figure 7 It is a partial perspective view of the base of the support frame.

[0011] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 , a partial cross-sectional view depicting a slide in an open position with a capture member engaged to the slide to retain the slide in the open position.

[0012] Fig. 9 yes Figure 2 , a partial cross-sectional view depicting the brew basket being partially removed from the support frame, wherein the capture member engages the slide to move the slide to the closed position.

[0013] Fig.10 yes Figure 2 , a partial cross-sectional view depicting the slide in a closed position with the capture member disengaged from the slide.

[0014] Fig.11 According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a Figure 1 A perspective view of a brew basket on a support stand of a coffee machine.

[0015] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 , depicting another embodiment of a drip stop mechanism for a brew basket, the drip stop mechanism comprising a slide mounted on the brew basket and a capture member mounted on a support frame.

[0016] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A partial bottom perspective view of a brew basket depicting the slide of the drip stop mechanism in the open position.

[0017] Fig.14 yes Fig.11 A partial bottom perspective view of the brew basket depicting the slide of the drip stop mechanism in the closed position.

[0018] Fig.15 and Fig.16 Depicted Fig.11 The capture member of the drip stop mechanism.

[0019] Fig.17 yes Fig.11 , a partial cross-sectional view depicting a slide in an open position with a capture member engaged to the slide to retain the slide in the open position.

[0020] Fig.18 yes Fig.11 , a partial cross-sectional view depicting the brew basket being partially removed from the support frame, wherein the capture member engages the slide to move the slide to the closed position.

[0021] Fig.19 yes Fig.11 , a partial cross-sectional view of a slide depicting the slide in a closed position with the capture member disengaged from the slide.

[0022] Fig. 20 yes Fig.11 A partial bottom perspective view of a brew basket depicting a slider of a drip stop mechanism according to another embodiment, the slider being in a brew-on position.

[0023] Fig.21 is a partial bottom perspective view of the brew basket depicting the Fig. 20 The sliding part of the drip stop mechanism.

[0024] Fig. 22 It depicts the Fig. 20 A partial cross-sectional view of the slide of the drip stop mechanism in the closed position.

[0025] Fig.23 It depicts the Fig. 20 A partial cross-sectional view of the slide of the drip stop mechanism in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed into various different configurations. Therefore, the following more detailed description of the various embodiments as represented in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but merely represents various embodiments.

[0027] Spatially relative terms can be used to describe the relationship between an element and / or feature and another element and / or feature, for example, as shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, any degree term used herein such as "substantially" means a reasonable deviation amount of the word modified by the expected, so that the final result will not change significantly. For example, if the deviation does not negate the meaning of the word modified by the degree term, then such terms can be interpreted as allowing at least 5% deviation of the modified word.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a coffee maker 100 according to the present disclosure. The coffee maker includes a frame or body 102 having a dispensing head 104 at an upper end portion and a drip catch reservoir 108 at a lower end portion. A drip tray (not shown) may be located in the reservoir. A water tank 112 may be removably coupled to a rear side of the body 102; however, it should be understood that the body 102 may be configured to integrally include the water tank. The body 102 is adapted to slidably receive a brew basket 116 located below the dispensing head 104. By way of example, the body 102 may include a support frame 118, and the brew basket 116 may be removably mounted to the support frame. The dispensing head 104 may also include a steam vent 120 and an operating control 122 having a user interface. The reservoir 108 is shaped to support a single-serving container / cup / vessel 124, such as an insulated mug as shown; however, it should be understood that the reservoir may support a multi-serving carafe.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a brew basket 116 mounted on a support frame 118, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 2, depicting one embodiment of a drip stop mechanism 130 for a brew basket 116. The brew basket 116 includes a sidewall 134 having an outer surface 136 and an inner surface 138, an upper portion 140, and a lower portion 142. A lip 144 is located on the lower portion 142. A handle 146 may extend from the outer surface 136 of the sidewall 134. The inner surface 138 may be provided with ribs 148 to allow for easy removal of a coffee filter after use. The support frame 118 includes a base 150 for slidably receiving and securing the lower portion 142 of the brew basket 116 and an upright member 152 extending from the base and shaped to complementarily receive the sidewall 134 of the brew basket 116. As further depicted, the bottom wall 160 of the lower portion 142 of the brew basket 116 includes a beverage outlet 162 adapted to removably secure a silicone seal 164 having an opening 166 through which brewed coffee flows into the container 124. By way of example, an inner surface portion 170 of the bottom wall 160 defining the beverage outlet 162 may include a substantially annular inwardly extending lug 172, and the silicone seal 164 may include an annular groove 176 sized to receive the lug 170. However, it should be understood that alternative means for securing the seal 164 within the beverage outlet 162 are contemplated.

[0030] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 , an exemplary drip stop mechanism 130 includes a slider 180 slidably mounted to the underside of the brew basket bottom wall 160 and a capture member 182 mounted on the base 150 of the support frame 118. The slider 180 is generally rectangular in shape and generally includes a top wall 190, a bottom wall 192, a first end wall 194 and a second end wall 196, and a first side wall 200 and a second side wall 202. The slider 180 may include a cutout feature aligned with the beverage outlet 162. In the depicted aspect, the cutout feature is a hole 206 that extends through the slider 180 between the top wall 190 and the bottom wall 192. As shown, the seal 164 is fixed within the beverage outlet 162; however, it should be understood that the seal 164 can be fixed within the hole 206 without departing from the features of the present disclosure. In order to slidably mount the slider 180 to the underside of the bottom wall 160, a first track 210 and a second track 212 are provided on the bottom wall 160. As shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , the tracks 210, 212 and side walls 200, 202 of the slider 180 are configured to slidably engage therebetween while also retaining the slider on the brew basket bottom wall 160. By way of example, the side walls 200, 202 may be substantially stepped, and each of the tracks 210, 212 may include an extension that complementarily mates with the offset defined by the stepped side walls. Figure 5, the slide 180 is in the brew open position, wherein the aperture 206 formed through the slide is aligned or registered with the beverage outlet 162. The first end wall 194 of the slide is adjacent to (eg, abuts) the lip 144 of the brew basket 116. Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, the slider 180 is in a sealed closed position, wherein the aperture 206 is not aligned with (i.e., offset from) the beverage outlet 162. In the sealed closed position, the top wall 190 of the slider 180 sealingly engages with the seal 164 to seal or close the beverage opening 162, thereby preventing coffee from dripping from the brew basket 116 when the brew basket is removed from the support frame 118. As will be described below, the slider 180 includes a first connector having a first configuration, and the capture member 182 includes a second connector adapted to engage the first connector, the second connector having a second configuration, wherein the first connector and the second connector engage each other in the open position of the slider 180.

[0031] Return to reference Figure 3 and Figure 4, the capture member 182 of the exemplary drip stop mechanism 130 is pivotally mounted on the base 150 of the support frame 118. For example, the capture member 182 can include a pivot pin 220 that is securely received in a slot 224 formed in the underside of the base 150; however, alternative ways of mounting the capture member 182 to the base 150 are contemplated. When mounted to the base 150, the capture member 182 is located within an open space 226 defined by the base, thereby allowing selective engagement between the capture member 182 and the slide 180 as the brew basket 116 is moved into and out of the support frame 118. It should be understood that the open space 226 allows brewed coffee to flow into the container 124 located below the base 150. In the depicted aspect, the capture member 182 is defined by a rocker 230 having at least one ramp 232 at one end portion 236 of the capture member (note that a pair of ramps 232 are shown on the rocker), and a second connector in the form of a hook or finger 240 at an opposite end portion 242 of the capture member. The at least one ramp 232 includes an inclined surface that extends upward and outward toward the upright member 152. The hook 240 is inclined toward the at least one ramp. According to the present disclosure, the capture member 182 can be biased in a counterclockwise direction relative to its pivot axis (as defined by the pivot pin 220) (e.g., by a biasing member (e.g., a spring, not shown) mounted on the capture member and the base), such that when mounted to the base 150, the at least one ramp 232 on the rocker 230 is biased upward in the open space 226 and the hook 240 is biased downward. As will be described below, this allows the hook 240 of the capture member 182 to pivot into engagement with the slide 180 when the brew basket 116 is moved onto the support rack 118, and also allows the hook 240 to rotate out of engagement when the brew basket 116 is inserted onto the support rack 118 if the slide 180 is already in the brew open position.

[0032] In order to fix the brewing basket 116 to the support frame 118 when the slide 180 is in the closed position ( Figure 6 ), the first track 210 and the second track 212 on the brewing basket are aligned with the guide rib 250 formed on the base 150 and extending into the open space 226 ( Figure 7). When the brew basket 116 slides onto the support frame 118 toward the upright member 152, the guide rails 210, 212 move along the guide ribs 250 and contact the inclined surface of the ramp 232 on the rocker 230 of the capture member 182, which is again biased upward in the open space 226. This contact of the guide rails 210, 212 with the ramp 232 causes the capture member 182 to pivot in a clockwise direction relative to its pivot axis, thereby moving the hook 240 of the capture member toward the slider 180. The support frame 118 includes a stop member or rib 252 ( Figure 7 ), the stop member or rib is adapted to engage the slide 180 when the brew basket 116 is mounted on the support frame. Therefore, the brew basket continues to move on the base 150 to the fully seated position on the support frame 118 so that the second end wall 196 of the slide 180 contacts the stop member 252 on the base. This contact allows the brew basket 116 to move relative to the slide 180 to the fully seated position on the base 150. And as the brew basket 116 moves relative to the slide 180 against the stop member 252, when the brew basket 116 is fully seated, the slide 180 moves from the closed position to the open position ( Figure 5 The bottom wall 192 of the slide 180 includes a first connector in the form of a cavity or cutout 260, and in the open position of the slide 180, the hook 240 of the capture member 182 is received in the cavity 260 to hold the slide in the open position, the hook moving toward the slide 180 by the engagement of the rails 210, 212 with the ramp 232.

[0033] refer to Figure 8 After the brew basket 116 is inserted (via the rails 210, 212) onto the base 150 of the support frame 118, the slider 180 is moved toward the open position, thereby allowing the hook 240 to protrude into the cavity 260 formed in the slider 180. Note that with the slider 180 in the open position, the capture member 182 can be in the biased loaded position because the spring (not shown) biases the capture member 182 in a counterclockwise direction relative to its pivot axis. Fig. 9 150, the slider 180 is temporarily retained by the engagement of the capture member 182 as the brew basket 116 is pulled outward from the base 150 of the support frame 118. The slider 180 is moved toward the sealed closed position while the brew basket 116 remains mounted to the base 150 by holding the slider 180 in place (for a predetermined amount of outward travel of the brew basket 116) via the hook 240 of the capture member 182 positioned in the cavity 260. In the closed position, the top wall 190 of the slider engages the seal 164 to close the beverage outlet 162. Fig. 9As depicted in , the ramp 232 of the rocker 230 is still pressed down by the guide rails 210, 212 on the underside of the brew basket 116, which again causes the hook 240 to pivot into the slide 180. Fig.10 , the brew basket 116 slides further outward on the base 150 of the support frame 118. This moves the rails 210, 212 away from the ramps 232, allowing the rocker 230 and the hook 240 (i.e., the capture member 182) to rotate back to their original positions. The hook 240 is removed from the slider cavity 260, thereby releasing the slider 180 and allowing the brew basket 116 to be completely removed from the support frame 118 with the slider in the closed position. As described, the first connector of the slider 180 is the cavity 260, and the second connector of the capture member 182 is the hook 240. However, it should be understood that the first connector can be a hook and the second connector can be a cavity without departing from the present disclosure.

[0034] Figures 11 to 19 A brew basket 300 and a support frame 302 are depicted that include another embodiment of a drip stop mechanism 310 for a coffee machine 100. Similar to the brew basket 116, the brew basket 300 includes a sidewall 314 having an outer surface 316 and an inner surface 318, an upper portion 320, and a lower portion 322. The support frame 302 includes a base 330 for slidably receiving and securing the lower portion 322 of the brew basket 300. Further depicted, a bottom wall 336 of the lower portion 332 of the brew basket 300 includes a beverage outlet 340 that is adapted to secure a silicone seal 344 having an opening 346, which may be similar to the seal 164.

[0035] The drip stop mechanism 310 includes the above-mentioned slider 180 slidably mounted to the lower side of the bottom wall of the brewing basket and a catch member 350 mounted on the base 330 of the support frame 302 supporting the brewing basket 300. In order to slidably mount the slider 180 to the lower side of the bottom wall 336, a first track 356 and a second track 358 are provided on the bottom wall 336 for engaging the side walls of the slider 180 in a similar manner to that described above. Fig.13 In the embodiment, the slide 180 is in the brewing open position, wherein the aperture 206 formed through the slide is aligned with the beverage outlet 340. Fig.14 , the slider 180 is in a sealed closed position, wherein the hole 206 is not aligned with the beverage outlet 340 (ie, offset). In this sealed closed position, the top wall of the slider 180 is sealingly engaged with the seal 344 to close the beverage outlet 340.

[0036] refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16, the capture member 350 is pivotally mounted within a recessed portion of the base 330 of the support frame 302 by, for example, a pivot pin 366 that is securely received in a narrow slot formed on the underside of the base 330. In the depicted aspect, the capture member 350 is defined by a rocker 370 having a ramp 372 and a hook 376. The rocker 370 and hook 372 of the capture member 350 are separate components connected to each other by the pivot pin 366, thereby allowing the hook to move independently relative to the rocker. However, it should be understood that the capture member 350 can be an integral component similar to the capture member 182. The rocker 370 and hook 372 of the capture member 350 can be biased by a biasing member (e.g., a spring 380 ( Fig.11 )) bias, wherein the ramp 372 of the rocker is normally pivoted upward relative to the hook 372 to engage with the tracks 356, 358 on the brew basket. This bias of the catch member 350 allows the catch member to move into engagement with the slide 180 when the brew basket 300 is moved onto the support rack 302, and also allows the hook 376 to rotate out of engagement with the rocker 370 when the brew basket 300 is inserted into the support rack if the slide 180 is already in the brew open position ( Fig.16 ).

[0037] In order to fix the brewing basket 300 to the support frame 302 when the slide 180 is in the closed position ( Fig.14 ), the tracks 356, 358 on the brew basket are aligned with the tracks on the base 330 (only the guide rail 386 is shown). As the brew basket 300 is slid onto the support frame 302, the brew basket tracks 356, 358 move along the base tracks and contact the ramp 372 on the rocker 370 of the capture member 350. This contact of the brew basket tracks 356, 358 causes the capture member 350 to pivot in a clockwise direction relative to its pivot axis, thereby causing the hook 376 of the capture member to move against the bottom wall of the slide 180. Because the hook 376 is movable relative to the rocker 370, the hook can be slightly rotated in a counterclockwise direction relative to its pivot axis by contacting the slide 180. Continued movement of the brew basket 300 causes the slide 180 in the closed position to contact the stop member or rib 390 on the base 330, which in turn allows the slide to move toward the open position ( Fig.13 In the open position of the slider 180, the hook 376 is received in the cavity 260 of the slider 180 to hold the slider in the open position.

[0038] Thus, contact of the leading edge of the brew basket rails 356, 358 with the ramp 372 (by sliding the brew basket 300 onto the support frame 302) causes the rocker 370 and hook 376 to move to the loaded position against the bias of the spring 380. The rails 356, 358 hold the ramp 372 downward after being inserted. Fig.17 After the brewing basket 300 is inserted onto the support frame 302, the slider 180 is moved toward the brewing position, thereby allowing the hook 376 to protrude into the cavity 260 formed in the slider 180. This engagement of the hook with the slider holds the slider in the brewing position. Note that with the slider in the brewing position, the rocker 370 and the hook 376 are in the loading position. Fig.18 , it will be appreciated that when the brew basket 300 is pulled outwardly from the support frame 302, the slider 180 is retained by the engagement of the capture member 350. The slider 180 is moved to the sealed closed position by holding the slider 180 in place via the hook 376 positioned in the cavity 260. Fig.18 , the ramp 372 of the rocker 370 is still pressed down by the brewing basket tracks 356, 358 on the lower side of the brewing basket 116. Fig.19 376, the brew basket 300 slides further outward on the support frame 302. This moves the brew basket tracks 356, 358 away from the ramps 376, allowing the rocker 370 and hook 376 to rotate back to their original positions. The hook 376 is removed from the slider cavity 260, thereby releasing the slider and allowing the brew basket to be completely removed from the support frame.

[0039] Figure 20 to Figure 23 An alternative arrangement for biasing the slide 180 to the sealed closed position is depicted. A biasing member such as an elastic (i.e., silicone) band 400 as depicted is secured to the brew basket tracks 356, 358 on the underside of the bottom wall of the brew basket 300 and loops around the end wall of the slide 180. The band 400 holds the slide 180 in the sealed closed position when the brew basket 300 is removed from the support frame 302. When the brew basket 300 is inserted onto the support frame 302, the ribs 390 provided on the support frame 302 push the slide 180 toward the brewing position, thereby stretching the band 400. When the brew basket 300 is removed from the support frame 302, the band 400 moves the slide 180 back toward the sealed closed position. It should be understood that alternative biasing members are contemplated for use with the slide 180, for example, a spring return member such as a compression spring, extension spring and / or torsion spring can be mounted on the brew basket and connected to the slide 180, the return spring biasing the slide toward the closed position.

[0040] In each of the various aspects of the present disclosure described above, the support frame 118, 302 is provided below the dispensing head 104, with the brew basket 116, 300 mounted on top of the dispensing head. However, it should be understood that the support frame 118, 302 can be provided with the dispensing head 104, with the brew basket 116, 300 connected to the dispensing head 104. With this alternative position of the support frame, the frame or body 102 of the coffee machine 100 will include another support frame located below the dispensing head for mounting the capture member 182, 350. The function of the capture member 182, 350 on the other support frame will be the same as described above.

[0041] It should be understood that each of the above disclosed embodiments and other features and functions or their alternatives or variations may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. In addition, those skilled in the art may subsequently make various currently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements, which are also intended to be covered by the present disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A coffee machine, comprising: frame; a brew basket slidably mounted to the frame, the brew basket including a beverage outlet; and a drip stop mechanism operatively associated with the brewing basket, the drip stop mechanism comprising a slide slidably mounted to the underside of the brewing basket, wherein the slide is adapted to move from a sealing closed position in which the beverage outlet is closed by the slide toward a brewing open position in which the beverage outlet is opened when the brewing basket is mounted on the frame, and the slide is adapted to move from the open position toward the closed position when the brewing basket is removed from the frame.

2. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein the drip stop mechanism comprises a catch member mounted on the frame and the catch member engages the slide when the brew basket is mounted on the frame and the slide is in the open position.

3. The coffee maker of claim 2, wherein the capture member is adapted to move out of engagement with the slide when the brew basket is removed from the frame.

4. A coffee machine according to claim 2, wherein the sliding member includes a first connector, the first connector has a first configuration, and the capture member includes a second connector suitable for engaging the first connector, the second connector has a second configuration, wherein the first connector and the second connector engage with each other in the open position of the sliding member.

5. The coffee machine according to claim 4, wherein the first connector of the sliding member is one of a hook and a cavity, the size of the cavity is set to receive the hook, and the second connector of the capture member is the other of the cavity and the hook.

6. The coffee maker of claim 4, wherein the capture member is adapted to move the second connector out of engagement with the first connector of the slide when the brew basket is removed from the frame.

7. The coffee maker of claim 2, wherein the capture member includes a ramp for contacting the brew basket mounted on the frame, wherein contact of the brew basket with the ramp moves the capture member into engagement with the slide.

8. The coffee maker of claim 7, wherein the brew basket includes a rail for slidably mounting to the frame, the rail being adapted to contact the ramp when the brew basket is mounted on the frame.

9. The coffee maker of claim 2, wherein the capture member is biased by a biasing member in a direction away from engagement with the slider.

10. The coffee maker of claim 2, wherein the capture member is adapted to temporarily retain the slide in the open position when the brew basket is removed from the frame, wherein movement of the brew basket relative to the slide retained by the capture member causes the slide to move toward the closed position.

11. The coffee maker of claim 1 , wherein a seal is secured in the beverage outlet, and in the closed position, the slide sealingly engages the seal to close the beverage outlet.

12. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a stop member adapted to engage the slide when the brew basket is mounted on the frame, thereby allowing the brew basket to move relative to the slide to a fully mounted position on the frame.

13. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein the drip stop mechanism includes a biasing member mounted to the underside of the brew basket and connected to the slide, the biasing member biasing the slide toward the closed position.

14. A drip stop mechanism for a brewing basket of a coffee machine, the coffee machine comprising a frame for the brewing basket, the drip stop mechanism comprising: a slider slidably mounted to an underside of the brew basket, the slider being adapted to slide along the underside of the brew basket between a brewing open position in which the brew basket is mounted on the frame and a sealed closed position in which the brew basket is removed from the frame; and A capture member is pivotally mounted to the frame, the capture member being adapted to engage the slide when the brew basket is mounted on the frame.

15. The drip stop mechanism of claim 14, wherein the capture member is adapted to temporarily retain the slide in the open position when the brew basket is removed from the frame, wherein movement of the brew basket relative to the slide retained by the capture member causes the slide to slide toward the closed position, and the capture member is adapted to pivot away from the slide in the closed position.

16. The drip stop mechanism of claim 14, wherein the catch member comprises a hook for engaging the slider in the open position.

17. The drip stop mechanism of claim 14, wherein the catch member includes a ramp for contacting the brew basket mounted on the frame, wherein the catch member is adapted such that contact of the brew basket with the ramp causes the catch member to pivot into engagement with the slide.

18. The drip stop mechanism of claim 14, wherein the catch member is biased by a biasing member in a direction away from engagement with the slider.

Images