U.S. patent application number 15/225747 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for adjustable tamper coffee apparatus, brewing machine utilizing such apparatus, and methods for making coffee.
This patent application is currently assigned to SOLOFILL, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is SOLOFILL, LLC. Invention is credited to ROBERT VU.
Application Number | 20170027376 15/225747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56506766 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170027376 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VU; ROBERT |
February 2, 2017 |
ADJUSTABLE TAMPER COFFEE APPARATUS, BREWING MACHINE UTILIZING SUCH
APPARATUS, AND METHODS FOR MAKING COFFEE
Abstract
A coffee brewer that includes a brewing chamber, and a brewing
cup filled with coffee that is removably received in the brewing
chamber. The cup includes a bottom that acts as a tamping member,
and this bottom is movable to vary the size of the cup reservoir.
Once the cup is positioned in the brewer, the closing of the cup
forces engagement of the tamping member and an engagement member
positioner in the brewing chamber, resulting in the tamping member
being moved to compress the coffee.
Inventors: |
VU; ROBERT; (HOUSTON,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SOLOFILL, LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SOLOFILL, LLC
HOUSTON
TX
|
Family ID: |
56506766 |
Appl. No.: |
15/225747 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14809287 |
Jul 27, 2015 |
9402501 |
|
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15225747 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/3676 20130101;
A47J 31/0642 20130101; A47J 31/0689 20130101; A47J 31/407 20130101;
A47J 31/3623 20130101; A47J 31/4482 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 31/44 20060101
A47J031/44; A47J 31/40 20060101 A47J031/40; A47J 31/46 20060101
A47J031/46 |
Claims
1. A method for brewing a beverage comprising: placing a brewing
cup in a brewing chamber, wherein the brewing cup comprises a
liquid impermeable cup housing defining a reservoir with a brewing
material positioned therein, the cup housing comprising a tamping
member wherein the tamping member is movable into and out of the
reservoir to vary the size of the reservoir, and wherein the
brewing chamber with a bottom and with an access opening is defined
by a brewer housing first component, and wherein a brewer housing
second component may be opened to afford access to said brewing
chamber via said access opening and which may be closed to coact in
sealing engagement with said first component to close said access
opening, and having an engagement portion; and wherein the
engagement portion is within the brewing chamber and in contact
with the tamping member, and when the second component is opened,
holds the tamping member a set off distance from the bottom of the
brewing chamber; closing the second component and forcing the
housing portion to move toward the bottom of the brewing chamber
while the engagement portion remains in contact with the tamping
member and maintains the tamping member at the set off distance
from the bottom of the brewing chamber, resulting in relative
movement between the housing portion and the tamping member, and
resulting in the tamping member being positioned a compression
distance into the reservoir to compress the brewing material; and,
contacting the brewing material with a brewing liquid to produce a
beverage.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjustment may be made to at
least one of the tamping member or the engagement portion so that
the tamping member may be moved selected compression distances
depending upon the adjustment.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tamping
member or the engagement portion is adjustable to vary the set off
distance resulting in a varied compression distance once the second
component is closed.
4. A method of brewing a beverage comprising: placing a brewing cup
in a brewing chamber, wherein the brewing cup comprises a liquid
impermeable cup housing defining a reservoir with a brewing
material contained in the reservoir, the cup housing comprising a
first cup housing portion and a second cup housing portion, wherein
the first cup housing portion defines a liquid entry port into the
reservoir, and wherein the second cup housing portion comprises a
tamping member movable into and out of the reservoir to vary the
size of the reservoir, and wherein the cup housing further defines
a liquid exit port, and wherein the brewing chamber comprises a
bottom and an access opening and is defined by a brewer housing
first component, with a brewer housing second component which may
be opened to afford access to said brewing chamber via said access
opening and which may be closed to coact in sealing engagement with
said first component to close said access opening, and having an
engagement portion, wherein, the engagement portion is positioned
within the brewing chamber and in contact with the tamping member,
and when the second component is opened, holds the tamping member a
set off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber; closing
the second component to cause a liquid injector to engage the
liquid entry port and be in liquid communication with the
reservoir, and to cause the housing portion to move toward the
bottom of the brewing chamber while the engagement portion remains
in contact with the tamping member and maintains the tamping member
at the set off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber,
resulting in relative movement between the housing portion and the
tamping member, and resulting in the tamping member being
positioned a compression distance into the reservoir to compress
the brewing material; and, contacting the brewing material with a
brewing liquid to produce a beverage.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjustment may be made to at
least one of the tamping member or the engagement portion so that
the tamping member may be moved selected compression distances
depending upon the adjustment.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of the tamping
member or the engagement portion is adjustable to vary the set off
distance resulting in a varied compression distance once the second
component is closed.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims priority of and is a continuation of
copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/809,287, filed Jul.
27, 2016, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,501 on Aug. 2, 2016, which
application is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to apparatus and products for
making consumable liquids, and methods of making and using such
apparatus, products and liquids. In another aspect, the present
invention relates to apparatus and products for brewing such
consumable liquids, and methods of making and using such apparatus,
products and consumable liquids. In even another aspect, the
present invention relates to apparatus and products for brewing
such consumable liquids by contacting a heated liquid with solid,
semi-solid, syrup or gel material, and methods of making and using
such apparatus, products and consumable liquids. In still another
aspect, the present invention relates to apparatus and products for
brewing consumable liquids such as coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate,
herbal drinks, bullion, consume, medicinal drinks, vitamin drinks,
supplement drinks, dehydrated drinks, and methods of making and
using such apparatus, products and beverages. In yet another
aspect, the present invention relates to disposable or reusable
apparatus and products for brewing consumable liquids, and methods
of making and using such apparatus. In even still another aspect,
the present invention relates to disposable or reusable apparatus
that may be loaded/reloaded with solids, semi-solids, syrups, and
gels, for brewing consumable liquids, and methods of making and
using such apparatus. In even yet another aspect, the present
invention relates to disposable or reusable apparatus and methods,
that may be loaded/reloaded with coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate,
herbs, spices, inhalant, seeds, berries, nuts, beans, hulls,
shells, husks, vegetable matter, leaves, roots, bullion, consume,
medicine, vitamins, supplements, drink powder, for brewing
consumable liquids, and methods of making and using such apparatus.
In even yet another aspect, the present invention relates to
disposable or reusable apparatus with a variable or adjustable
tamper that is used to control the steeping or brew time.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the making of coffee, heated water is contacted with
ground coffee to form a coffee beverage which may be consumed hot
or cold.
[0006] As coffee is quite a historic drink, there is also a long
history of development of various apparatus and methods for
preparing coffee. Drip brewing is a method for brewing coffee which
involves passing water over roasted, ground coffee beans contained
in a filter. The water is generally gravity feed through the
coffee, absorbing its oils and essences, and then on through the
bottom of the filter. The used coffee grounds are retained in the
filter with the liquid falling (dripping) into a collecting vessel
such as a carafe or pot.
[0007] Very commonly, paper filters are commonly used for drip brew
all over the world. For ease of operation, the used grounds and the
filter are generally disposed of together, without a need to clean
the filter, or with very little cleaning required. It is also
common to see metal filter that are made of thin perforated metal
sheets that restrain the grounds but allow the coffee to pass, thus
eliminating the need to have to purchase separate filters.
Additionally, many machines now use permanent plastic filters,
which are made of a fine mesh.
[0008] There also exist small, portable, single serving drip brew
makers that only hold the filter and rest on top of a cup. Hot
water is poured in and drips directly into the cup.
[0009] A very popular item is the single-serving unit containing
sufficient ground coffee, tea or other beverage material to produce
a single cup of the contained beverage. In operation, this
single-serving unit is inserted into a machine, with a cup placed
under a discharge spout, and within a short period of time, the
beverage is ready.
[0010] This type of single serving brewing machine operates by
piercing the seal on top of the single serving container with a
spray nozzle, while simultaneously piercing the bottom of the
container with a discharge nozzle. The coffee grounds sit on a
filter within the container, which filter is not punctured. The
spray nozzle introduces water into the container, with the water
passing through the grounds and through the filter into the waiting
cup.
[0011] There are a number of patents that relate making coffee,
specifically to beverage cartridges, the following of which are
merely a small sampling.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. D637,484, issued May 10, 2011, to Winkler,
discloses an ornamental design for a beverage cartridge, as shown
and described.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. D502,362, issued on Mar. 1, 2005, to Lazaris
et al, discloses an ornamental design for a disposable beverage
filter cartridge, as shown and described.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,600, issued on Mar. 23, 2004, to Winkler
et al, discloses the puncturing and venting of single serve
beverage filter cartridge. A liquid inlet probe for piercing the
lid of a beverage filter cartridge comprises a cylindrical inner
hub surrounded by an enlarged diameter outer sleeve. Support ribs
extend radially between and coact with the exterior of the hub and
the interior of the sleeve to define a plurality of liquid supply
passages. The hub, ribs and sleeve having bevelled lower ends
arranged in a truncated conical alignment converging towards the
center of the probe to a pointed end projecting downwardly from its
lower end.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,989, issued on Dec. 9, 2003, to Sweeney
et al, discloses are-usable beverage filter cartridge for use in a
single serve beverage brewer in which a measured charge of a dry
beverage medium is infused with a metered amount of heated liquid
to produce a beverage medium. The reusable beverage filter
cartridge is provided for containing the beverage medium and for
accommodating an inflow of the heated liquid and an outflow of the
beverage medium. The cartridge comprises a cup-shaped housing
having a top opening and a closed bottom with an outlet port. A
filter internally subdivides the housing into a first chamber
accessible via the top opening and configured and dimensioned to
contain the beverage medium, and a second chamber communicating
with the outlet port. A lid is removably secured to the housing in
a position closing the top opening, and an inlet port in the lid
serves to admit heated liquid into the first chamber for infusion
with the beverage medium contained therein. The filter is permeable
to accommodate a flow therethrough of the resulting beverage into
the second chamber from which it exits via the outlet port.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,537, issued on Nov. 11, 2003, to Sweeney
et al, discloses a beverage filter cartridge that includes a
cup-shaped outer container with a bottom and a side wall extending
upwardly from the bottom wall to a circular rim surrounding an
upper opening. The side wall has an upper section extending
downwardly from the rim to an intermediate section, and a tapered
lower section configured to provide a plurality of
circumferentially spaced flutes extending downwardly from the
intermediate section to the bottom wall. A filter element
subdivides the interior of the container into first and second
chambers. A beverage medium is stored in the first chamber. A cover
is joined to the side wall at the rim to close the upper opening.
The cover is yieldably piercable to accommodate an injection of
liquid into the first chamber for combination with the beverage
medium to produce a beverage. The filter element is permeable to
accommodate a flow of the beverage from the first chamber into the
second chamber, and the bottom wall is yieldably piercable to
accommodate an outflow of the beverage from the second chamber to
the exterior of the cartridge.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,762, issued on Aug. 19, 2003 and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,589,577, issued on Jul. 8, 2003, to Lazaris et al, both
disclose a disposable single serve beverage filter cartridge
comprising an outer container with an access opening. A filter
element is received in and configured and arranged to subdivide the
interior of the container into first and second chambers. A
beverage medium is stored in the first chamber. A lid closes the
access opening. The lid has a first section overlying the first
chamber and a second section overlying the second chamber. The
first section of the lid is yieldably piercable to accommodate an
inflow of liquid into the first chamber for infusion with the
beverage medium to produce a beverage. The filter element is
permeable to accommodate a flow of the beverage from the first
chamber into the second chamber, and the second section of the lid
is yieldably piercable to accommodate an outflow of the beverage
from the second chamber to the exterior of the cartridge.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,938, issued on Aug. 19, 2003, to Taylor,
discloses a two step puncturing and venting of single serve filter
cartridge in a beverage brewer. In a method and apparatus for
brewing a beverage from a dry beverage medium contained in a
disposable cartridge, the cartridge is initially pierced and vented
by a tubular outlet probe, and then pierced by a tubular inlet
probe. Heated liquid is admitted to the cartridge interior via the
inlet probe for combination with the beverage medium to produce a
beverage, and the beverage is extracted from the cartridge via the
outlet probe.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,189, issued on Nov. 24, 1998, to Sylvan
et al, discloses a beverage filter cartridge that includes an
impermeable yieldably pierceable base having a predetermined shape
and an access opening at one end. A self-supporting wettable filter
element is disposed in the base and is permanently sealed to an
interior surface of the base. The filter element subdivides the
base into first and second chambers, a first chamber for storing an
extract of the beverage to be made, and a second empty chamber for
accessing the beverage after the beverage outflow from the filter
has been made by combining a liquid with the extract. An
impermeable, yieldably pierceable, imperforate cover is sealingly
engaged with the top of the base to form an impermeable
cartridge.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765, issued on Jul. 5, 1994, to Sylvan
et al, discloses a beverage filter cartridge that includes an
impermeable pierceable base having a predetermined shape and an
opening at one end; a self-supporting wettable filter element
disposed in the base sealingly engages with the opening in the base
and has a form different and smaller than the predetermined shape
of the base so that the filter element diverges from the base and
divides the base into two sealed chambers, a first chamber for
storing an extract of the beverage to be made, and a second empty
chamber for accessing the beverage after the beverage outflow from
the filter has been made by combining a liquid with the extract;
and an impermeable pierceable cover sealingly engaged with the
opening in the base to form an impermeable cartridge.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,845, issued Jan. 5, 2010, Woodnorth, et
al., discloses a drain for beverage forming machine.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,695, issued Apr. 28, 2009, to Streeter
et al, discloses a system for dispensing metered volumes of heated
water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage brewer.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,192, issued Apr. 7, 2009, to Sullivan et
al, discloses a beverage forming device with opening/closing
mechanism for a beverage cartridge receiver
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,726, issued on Jul. 15, 2008, to
Streeter et al, discloses a system for dispensing metered volumes
of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage
brewer.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,162, issued on May 27, 2008, to Lazaris,
discloses a method and apparatus for liquid level sensing.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,418, issued on Apr. 22, 2008, to
Pelovitz, discloses a method and apparatus for sensing liquid level
using baseline characteristic.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,138, issued on Mar. 25, 2008, to Bragg
et al, discloses a brew chamber for a single serve beverage
brewer.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. D544,299, issued on Jun. 12, 2007, to
Schaffeld et al, discloses an ornamental design for coffee brewer,
as shown and described.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,488, issued on Jan. 23, 2007, to Bragg
et al, discloses a brew chamber for a single serve beverage
brewer.
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. D513,572, issued on Jan. 17, 2006, to
Schaffeld et al, discloses an ornamental design for a coffee
brewer, as shown and described.
[0031] U.S. Pat. No. D489,215, issued on May 4, 2004, to Honan et
al, discloses a coffee brewer. The ornamental design for a coffee
brewer, as shown and described.
[0032] U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,200, issued on Jan. 6, 2004, to Duffy et
al, discloses a system for monitoring and controlling the operation
of a single serve beverage brewer.
[0033] U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,130, issued on Dec. 23, 2003, to Taylor
et al, discloses a baffle operated liquid heating and dispensing
system for a single serve beverage brewer.
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,260, issued on Dec. 2, 2003, to Lazaris
et al, discloses a beverage filter cartridge holder.
[0035] U.S. Pat. No. D474,111, issued on May 6, 2003, to Lazaris,
discloses an ornamental design for a cup shaped container, as shown
and described.
[0036] U.S. Pat. No. D474,110, issued on May 6, 2003, to Sweeney,
discloses an ornamental design for a cup shaped container, as shown
and described.
[0037] U.S. Pat. No. D462,865, issued on Sep. 17, 2002, to Honan et
al, discloses an ornamental design for a coffee brewer, as shown
and described.
[0038] U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,256, issued on Aug. 27, 2002, to Gordon
et al, discloses a method of forming and inserting filter elements
in cup-shaped containers.
[0039] U.S. Pat. No. D452,434, issued on Dec. 25, 2001, to Sweeney,
discloses an ornamental design for a cup shaped container, as shown
and described.
[0040] U.S. Pat. No. D452,433, issued on Dec. 25, 2001, to Lazaris,
discloses an ornamental design for a cup shaped container, as shown
and described.
[0041] U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,554, issued on Feb. 6, 2001, to Beaulieu
et al, discloses a beverage filter cartridge holder.
[0042] U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,063, issued on Nov. 7, 2000, to
Beaulieu, discloses a automated beverage brewing system.
[0043] U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,247, issued on Jul. 4, 2000, to
Beaulicu, discloses an apparatus for consecutively dispensing an
equal volume of liquid.
[0044] U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,315, issued on Jun. 27, 2000, to
Beaulieu et al, discloses a beverage filter cartridge holder.
[0045] U.S. Pat. No. D408,679, issued on Apr. 27, 1999, to Potts et
al, discloses an ornamental design for a coffee brewer, as shown
and described.
[0046] Other recent patents/publications include:
[0047] U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,320, issued May 13, 2014, to Rivera,
discloses a pod adaptor assembly for use in combination with a
single serve beverage brewer is provided. The assembly is
especially designed for brewing pods in brewers configured for
cup-shaped beverage extract cartridges. The assembly includes a
receptacle and a cover configured to sealingly engage with the
receptacle. The receptacle has a base with a raised portion which
is adapted to provide a support surface for a pod. The base of the
receptacle also provides an opening adapted to receive an upwardly
extending puncture needle from the brewer in a manner such that the
needle extends through the base and does not puncture the pod. The
cover also has an opening that is adapted to receive a downwardly
extending liquid injector probe from the brewer. In some
implementations, spaced apart protrusions are arranged on the pod
support surface thereby creating gaps to facilitate flow of brewed
beverage. In other implementations, the assembly also includes a
spring bias mechanism adapted to press the pod against the cover so
as to create a tamping effect.
[0048] U.S. Patent Publication No. 20130017303, published Jan. 17,
2013 by Robert Vu discloses a brewing container for use with
brewing machines, the container including a distribution outlet for
dispersing the injected water in at least 3 directions away from
vertical within the cartridge.
[0049] However, in spite of the above advancements, there exists a
need in the beverage brewing art for products, apparatus and
methods for brewing coffee and other consumable liquids.
[0050] There also exists a need in the beverage brewing art for
reusable products, apparatus and methods for brewing coffee and
other consumable liquids.
[0051] There even also exists a need in the beverage brewing art
for products, apparatus and methods for more efficiently brewing
coffee and other consumable liquids.
[0052] There still also exists a need in the beverage brewing art
for products, apparatus and methods for more efficiently brewing
coffee and other consumable liquids, in which the steeping time or
the brewing strength can be varied.
[0053] There still also exists a need in the beverage brewing art
for products, apparatus and methods for more efficiently brewing
coffee and other consumable liquids, in which the tamping of the
brewed material can be varied and/or controlled.
[0054] There yet also exists a need in the beverage brewing art for
brewing containers for use in brewing machines that may be empty or
pre-loaded with brewing material and/or refillable, brewing brewing
machines utilizing such brewing containers, methods of making and
using such brewing machines and containers.
[0055] These and other needs in the art will become apparent to
those of skill in the art upon review of this specification,
including its drawings and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0056] It is an object of the present invention to provide for
products, apparatus and methods for brewing coffee and other
consumable liquids.
[0057] It is another object of the present invention, to provide
for reusable products, apparatus and methods for brewing coffee and
other consumable liquids.
[0058] It is even another object of the present invention, to
provide for products, apparatus and methods for more efficiently
brewing coffee and other consumable liquids.
[0059] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide for products, apparatus and methods for more efficiently
brewing coffee and other consumable liquids, in which the steeping
time or the brewing strength can be varied.
[0060] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
for products, apparatus and methods for more efficiently brewing
coffee and other consumable liquids, in which the tamping of the
brewed material can be varied and/or controlled.
[0061] It is even still another object of the present invention to
provide for brewing containers for use in brewing machines that may
be empty or pre-loaded with brewing material and/or refillable,
brewing brewing machines utilizing such brewing containers, methods
of making and using such brewing machines and containers.
[0062] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this
specification, including its drawings and claims.
[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a beverage brewing apparatus. The apparatus may include
a brewer housing having a first component defining a brewing
chamber with a bottom and with an access opening, a second
component which may be opened to afford access to said brewing
chamber via said access opening and which may be closed to coact in
sealing engagement with said first component to close said access
opening, and having an engagement portion. The apparatus may also
include an impermeable brewing cup removably received in said
brewing chamber, the brewing cup comprising a liquid impermeable
cup housing defining a reservoir with a brewing material positioned
therein, the cup housing comprising a tamping member wherein the
tamping member is movable into and out of the reservoir to vary the
size of the reservoir. Generally, the engagement portion is within
the brewing chamber and in contact with the tamping member, and
when the second component is opened, holds the tamping member a set
off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber. Further, once
the second component is closed, the second component forces the
housing portion to move toward the bottom of the brewing chamber
while the engagement portion remains in contact with the tamping
member and maintains the tamping member at the set off distance
from the bottom of the brewing chamber, resulting in relative
movement between the housing portion and the tamping member, and
resulting in the tamping member being positioned a compression
distance into the reservoir to compress the brewing material. In a
further embodiment of this embodiment, adjustment may be made to at
least one of the tamping member or the engagement portion so that
the tamping member may be moved selected compression distances
depending upon the adjustment. In even a further embodiment of this
embodiment, at least one of the tamping member or the engagement
portion is adjustable to vary the set off distance resulting in a
varied compression distance once the second component is
closed.
[0064] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a beverage brewing apparatus. The beverage
apparatus may include a brewer housing having a first component
defining a brewing chamber with a bottom and with an access
opening, a second component which may be opened to afford access to
said brewing chamber via said access opening and which may be
closed to coact in sealing engagement with said first component to
close said access opening, and having an engagement portion. The
apparatus may also include an impermeable brewing cup removably
received in said brewing chamber, the brewing cup comprising a
liquid impermeable cup housing defining a reservoir with a brewing
material contained in the reservoir, the cup housing comprising a
first cup housing portion and a second cup housing portion, wherein
the first cup housing portion defines a liquid entry port into the
reservoir, and wherein the second cup housing portion comprises a
tamping member movable into and out of the reservoir to vary the
size of the reservoir, and wherein the cup housing further defines
a liquid exit port. The apparatus may also include a liquid
injector, that once the second component is closed, will engage the
liquid entry port and be in liquid communication with the
reservoir. In general, the engagement portion is positioned within
the brewing chamber and in contact with the tamping member, and
when the second component is opened, holds the tamping member a set
off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber. Further, once
the second component is closed, the second component forces the
housing portion to move toward the bottom of the brewing chamber
while the engagement portion remains in contact with the tamping
member and maintains the tamping member at the set off distance
from the bottom of the brewing chamber, resulting in relative
movement between the housing portion and the tamping member, and
resulting in the tamping member being positioned a compression
distance into the reservoir to compress the brewing material. In
another embodiment of this embodiment, adjustment may be made to at
least one of the tamping member or the engagement portion so that
the tamping member may be moved selected compression distances
depending upon the adjustment. In even another embodiment of this
embodiment, at least one of the tamping member or the engagement
portion is adjustable to vary the set off distance resulting in a
varied compression distance once the second component is
closed.
[0065] According to even another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a beverage brewing apparatus. This
apparatus may include a brewer housing having a first component
defining a brewing chamber with a bottom and with an access
opening, a second component which may be opened to afford access to
said brewing chamber via said access opening and which may be
closed to coact in sealing engagement with said first component to
close said access opening, and having an engagement portion. This
apparatus may also include an impermeable brewing cup removably
received in said brewing chamber, the brewing cup comprising a
liquid impermeable cup housing defining a reservoir with a beverage
extract contained in the reservoir. This apparatus may also include
a first tamping member comprising part of the cup housing and
movable into and out of the reservoir to vary the size of the
reservoir, wherein when the second component is opened holds the
tamping member a first set off distance from the bottom of the
brewing chamber, wherein once the second component is closed, the
second component forces the housing portion to move toward the
bottom of the brewing chamber while the engagement portion remains
in contact with the tamping member and maintains the tamping member
at the first set off distance from the bottom of the brewing
chamber, resulting in relative movement between the housing portion
and the first tamping member, and resulting in the first tamping
member being positioned a first compression distance into the
reservoir to compress the brewing material. This apparatus may also
include a second tamping member positioned to be interchangeable
with the first tamping member, and once interchange, comprising
part of the cup housing and movable into and out of the reservoir
to vary the size of the reservoir, wherein when the second
component is opened holds the tamping member a second set off
distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber, wherein once the
second component is closed, the second component forces the housing
portion to move toward the bottom of the brewing chamber while the
engagement portion remains in contact with the second tamping
member and maintains the second tamping member at the second set
off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber, resulting in
relative movement between the housing portion and the second
tamping member, and resulting in the tamping member being
positioned a second compression distance into the reservoir to
compress the brewing material, wherein the first set off distance
is different than the second set off distance, and wherein the
first compression distance is different than the second compression
distance.
[0066] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a beverage brewing apparatus. The
apparatus may include a brewer housing having a first component
defining a brewing chamber with a bottom and with an access
opening, a second component which may be opened to afford access to
said brewing chamber via said access opening and which may be
closed to coact in sealing engagement with said first component to
close said access opening, and having a first engagement portion.
The apparatus may include an impermeable brewing cup removably
received in said brewing chamber, the brewing cup comprising a
liquid impermeable cup housing defining a reservoir with a brewing
material positioned therein, the cup housing comprising a tamping
member wherein the tamping member is movable into and out of the
reservoir to vary the size of the reservoir. The apparatus may
include a second engagement portion positioned to be
interchangeable with the first engagement portion. Generally, the
first engagement portion is within the brewing chamber and in
contact with the tamping member, and when the second component is
opened, holds the tamping member a first set off distance from the
bottom of the brewing chamber; and wherein, once the second
component is closed, the second component forces the housing
portion to move toward the bottom of the brewing chamber while the
first engagement portion remains in contact with the tamping member
and maintains the tamping member at the first set off distance from
the bottom of the brewing chamber, resulting in relative movement
between the housing portion and the tamping member, and resulting
in the tamping member being positioned a first compression distance
into the reservoir to compress the brewing material. Further, once
the second engagement portion is exchanged with the first
engagement portion, the second engagement portion is within the
brewing chamber and in contact with the tamping member, and when
the second component is opened, holds the tamping member a second
set off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber; and
wherein, once the second component is closed, the second component
forces the housing portion to move toward the bottom of the brewing
chamber while the second engagement portion remains in contact with
the tamping member and maintains the tamping member at the second
set off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber, resulting
in relative movement between the housing portion and the tamping
member, and resulting in the tamping member being positioned a
second compression distance into the brewing chamber to compress
the brewing material. Usually, the first set off distance is
different than the second set off distance, and wherein the first
compression distance is different than the second compression
distance.
[0067] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a method of brewing a brewing
material. The method may include placing a brewing cup containing
the brewing into a brewing chamber. May even include closing the
brewing chamber which results in compression the brewing material.
May even include injecting a brewing liquid into the compressed
brewing material. And may even include removing a brewed beverage
from the brewing chamber.
[0068] According to even still another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a method of operating a beverage
brewing apparatus. The apparatus generally includes a brewer
housing having a first component defining a brewing chamber with a
bottom and with an access opening, a second component which may be
opened to afford access to said brewing chamber via said access
opening and which may be closed to coact in sealing engagement with
said first component to close said access opening, and having an
engagement portion within the brewing chamber; and, an impermeable
brewing cup that may be removably received in said brewing chamber,
the brewing cup comprising a liquid impermeable cup housing
defining a reservoir with a brewing material positioned therein,
the cup housing comprising a tamping member wherein the tamping
member is movable into and out of the reservoir to vary the size of
the reservoir. The method may include the steps of: positioning the
brewing cup within the brewing chamber such that the engagement
portion contacts the tamping member and holds the tamping member a
set off distance from the bottom of the brewing chamber; and
closing the second component forcing the housing portion to move
toward the bottom of the brewing chamber while the engagement
portion remains in contact with the tamping member and maintains
the tamping member at the set off distance from the bottom of the
brewing chamber, resulting in relative movement between the housing
portion and the tamping member, and resulting in the tamping member
being positioned a compression distance into the brewing chamber to
compress the brewing material;
[0069] According to even yet another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a brewing material container for use
in a brewing machine having a brewing chamber, with brewing chamber
comprising an engagement portion. The container may include an
impermeable brewing cup removably receivable in said brewing
chamber, the brewing cup comprising a liquid impermeable cup
housing defining a reservoir for holding a beverage extract, the
cup housing comprising a tamping member wherein the tamping member
is movable into and out of the reservoir to vary the size of the
reservoir. Once the brewing chamber is closed, the tamping member
is moved a compression distance into reservoir.
[0070] According to additional embodiments of the present
invention, there are provided brewing containers that may be empty
or pre-loaded with brewing material and/or refillable, brewing
machines utilizing such brewing containers, and methods of making
and using such containers and machines, all as supported by this
specification.
[0071] These and other embodiments of the present invention will
become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this
specification, including its drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0072] The following drawings illustrate some of the many possible
embodiments of this disclosure in order to provide a basic
understanding of this disclosure. These drawings do not provide an
extensive overview of all embodiments of this disclosure. These
drawings are not intended to identify key or critical elements of
the disclosure or to delineate or otherwise limit the scope of the
claims. The following drawings merely present some concepts of the
disclosure in a general form. Thus, for a detailed understanding of
this disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like elements have been given like numerals.
[0073] FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A are drawings showing, respectively, an
isometric top view, cut away and bottom isometric view of brewing
cup 100.
[0074] FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B are the same as their respective FIGS.
1A, 2A, and 3A, except that flow passages 107 in the sidewalls are
shown with filters 127, and flow passages 157 of base member 151
are shown with filters 167.
[0075] FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A are drawings showing, respectively,
cutaway, cutaway and bottom isometric views of brewing cup 100
showing base 151 moved into cup body 111 in a position that would
compress brewing material.
[0076] FIGS. 4B, 5B, and 6B are the same as their respective FIGS.
4A, 5A, and 6A, except that flow passages 107 in the sidewalls are
shown with filters 127, and flow passages 157 of base member 151
are shown with filters 167.
[0077] FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings showing base member 151 having an
adjustable engagement member 154, specifically, there are grooves
and protrusions 163 on engagement member 154 that will interlock
with grooves and protrusions 164 on base 151.
[0078] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are drawings showing cutaway views of cup
100 positioned in holder 206 with engagement member 154 in contact
with needle 205, showing, respectively, engagement member 154
positioned for level 3 tamping, level 2 tamping, and level 1
tamping.
[0079] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a non-limiting embodiment of brewing
cup 100 positioned within brewing chamber 202 of brewing apparatus
200.
[0080] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a non-limiting embodiment of brewing
cup 100 positioned within brewing chamber 202 of brewing apparatus
200.
[0081] FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C show a non-limiting set of
interchangeable engagement members 205 having different heights
that will of course, provide different set off distances of the
base 151 from brewing chamber bottom 206.
[0082] FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C show non-limiting adjustable
engagement member 205 that is adjusted to different heights in the
various figures that will of course, provide different set off
distances of the base 151 from brewing chamber bottom 206.
[0083] FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C show another an adjustable
engagement member 205 that is also adjusted to different heights in
the various figures that will of course, provide different set off
distances of the base 151 from brewing chamber bottom 206.
[0084] FIGS. 19A and 19B show an embodiment with variable tamping
carried out with a flexible base that will flex upon being closed
within the brewing chamber to provide tamping.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0085] The present invention provides a disposable or reusable
brewing cup that is intended for use with a brewing machine,
provides a brewing machine comprising such a brewing cup, and
provides methods of making and using such cup and machine. Various
embodiments of the present invention also provide apparatus that
includes the brewing machine having such a brewing cup. Examples of
suitable brewing machines include that that are commercially
available through Keurig and commonly known as K-Cup machines. A
number of brewing machines suitable for use with the brewing cups
of the present invention, and which may be suitable in forming the
apparatus of the present invention, may be found in many of the
patents and publications listed herein, including but not limited
to U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,189 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765, both issued
to Sylvan.
[0086] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a
brewing cup that may be utilized in just such machines. Further,
various embodiments of the present invention provide for a brewing
cup that will allow adjustment of the brewing/steeping time. The
brewing/steeping time is adjusted by adjusting the amount of
tamping (i.e., compaction of the brewing material) to adjust the
flow rate of the brewing liquid through the brewing material.
[0087] In one aspect, the present invention may provide a
disposable or reusable brewing cup that is intended for use with a
brewing machine. The cup may be designed to provide a single,
multiple, or carafe size serving of a consumable liquid. More
particularly, the cup has base that is moveable into contact with
the brewing material in order to compress the brewing material.
Generally, as the cup is inserted into the brewing chamber of a
brewing machine, the movable base of the cup will engage some
portion of the brewing machine (for example, a needle in the
current commercially available brewing machines) and the base and
rest of the cup are moved relative to each other to compress the
brewing material. It should be understood that in some embodiments
it is the base that moves, in others it is the rest of the cup that
moves past the base, and in even others they both move. Sometimes,
it is an adjustable portion of the base that is engaged. It is
noted that this compression will make it more difficult for the
brewing liquid to pass through the brewing material and thus
increase the brewing time. More compression for more
brewing/steeping time, less compression for less brewing/steeping
time.
[0088] In another aspect, the present invention may provide an
apparatus, i.e., a brewing apparatus or system, which includes a
brewing machine into which the disposable or reusable brewing cup
is placed. The brewing machine will generally have a brewing
chamber into which the cup is positioned. The base and the rest of
the cup are moveable relative to each other in order to compress
the brewing material. The effect is generally the same as if the
base were moved into the brewing material. This moveable base will
generally engage some portion of the brewing machine and be caused
to compress the brewing material. In some embodiments, the degree
of compression of the brewing material may be controlled/varied by
controlling the distance which the base will move. For example,
this may be done by providing adjustable stops to restrict the
movement of the base, or be providing an adjustment in the base, or
providing an adjustment in brewing chamber, any of which controls
the engagement distance of the base with the brewing chamber. In
other embodiments, two or more bases are provided, with each base
designed to move a different distance to provide different
compaction. In even other embodiments, multiple engagement portions
are provided for the brewing machine, for example, multiple sized
needles to control the distance of the base with the brewing
chamber.
[0089] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a
method of brewing consumable liquids using the cup with the
moveable base. The method may include setting the brewing/steeping
time by either setting the amount of compression provided by the
moveable base and/or by adjusting the filter areas. Brewing
material is loaded into the cup, with the cup placed in the brewing
chamber of a brewing machine, as is well known in the art, and
subsequently the brewing material is brewed with a hot liquid
(usually water) being provided to the cup into contact with the
brewing material.
[0090] Non-limiting examples of brewing materials which may be
utilized in consumable liquids which may be prepared by the present
invention include coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, herbs, seeds,
berries, nuts, beans, hulls, shells, husks, vegetable matter,
leaves, roots, bullion, consume, medicine, vitamins, supplements,
and drink powder.
[0091] Non-limiting examples of consumable liquids which may be
prepared with the methods, apparatus and products of the present
invention, include coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, herbal drinks,
and drinks from berries, seeds, nuts, beans, hulls, shells, husks,
vegetable matter, leaves, roots, bullion, consume, medicine,
vitamins, supplements, drink powder, and the like.
[0092] Non-limiting examples of products of the present invention,
include single serving cups loaded with brewing material such as
coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, herbs, seeds, berries, nuts, beans,
hulls, shells, husks, vegetable matter, leaves, roots, bullion,
consume, medicine, vitamins, supplements, and drink powder.
[0093] Attention is now directed to FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A which are
respectively, an isometric top view, cut away and bottom isometric
view of one non-limiting embodiment of brewing cup 100 that defines
a reservoir 102. FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B are the same as their
respective FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A, except that flow passages 107 in
the sidewalls are shown with filters 127, and flow passages 157 of
base member 151 are shown with filters 167.
[0094] The present invention is not limited to the exact embodiment
of brewing cup 100 as shown. Brewing cup 100 may be disposable or
reusable. While brewing cup 100 is preferably a single serving brew
cup, in other embodiments it is envisioned that brewing cup 100 may
provide multiple servings or even a carafe sized serving, this will
all depend upon the size of reservoir 102 which will hold the
brewing material, and of course the ability of the machine to
receive cup 100. This brewing cup 100 may include a cup body 111,
top 101, and base 151, with at least a portion of base 151 being
movable within cup body 111 to provide a tamping effect on the
contents of cup body 111. Reservoir 102 is defined by the body 111,
top 101 and base 151. Top 101 may include an inlet passage 105 for
receiving a brewing liquid from the brewing machine providing
passage to optional distribution nozzle 135. Many brewing machines
will include a tubular injector 205 (see, FIGS. 12-15) that is
inserted into inlet passage 105 and provides brewing liquid to the
cup and this injection may function as a distribution nozzle. Cup
body 111 may define one or more passages 107, and base 151 may
define one or more passages 157, with these passages allowing
brewing liquid to exit cup 100. Cup 100 may include passages 107 or
passages 157, or both passages 107 and 157. Flow passages 107 are
generally covered with filters 127, and flow passages 157 of base
member 151 are generally covered with filters 167. These filters
127 and 167 may be the same or different filter size and generally
restrain the brewing material while allowing the brewing liquid to
pass through.
[0095] Brewing cup 100 may further include grip 103 used for
opening top 101, seal 122 for sealing top 101 and cup body 111,
distribution nozzle 135 in liquid communication with inlet passage
105 and having one or more outlets 109, and hinge 121. Distribution
nozzle 135 is not necessary, as brewing liquid may be provided
directly from the brewing machine tubular injector, and this
injector may also be provided with one or more outlet passages. Top
101 generally will friction fit to cup body 111.
[0096] In operation, lid 101 is operable to be opened and closed.
That is, lid 101 may be operable in an open position to allow
refilling of replacement of cup 100, and then operable to reseal
cup 100 for brewing.
[0097] In the non-limiting embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A,
2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, this lid 101 is affixed to
cup 100 by a hinge 121. Certainly, it should be appreciated, that
lid 101 may be operable with cup 100 to be opened/closed using any
suitable mechanism, including a hinge, locking engagers,
interlocking teeth on lid 101 and cup 100, snap fit or friction fit
between lid 101 and cup 100, engaging threads on lid 101 and cup
100, external fasteners that hold lid 101 down onto cup 100, and
the like. For convenience if lid 101 is not permanently attached to
cup 100 (for example by something like hinge 121), it may be
tethered to cup 100 to reduce the chances of loss or
misplacement.
[0098] The brewing cups of the present invention are very easily
utilized in the known commercially available single serve coffee
machines that utilize Keurig's K-Cup pods or similar cups offered
by other coffee companies. Generally, these machines will receive
the K-Cup pod into a brewing chamber, and upon closing of the
brewing chamber, a needle will pierce the bottom of the K-Cup pod.
Most conveniently, it is this needle that the present invention
will utilize in carrying out the tamping of the brewing material,
however, instead of piercing the base of the brewing cup of the
present invention, it will either push the base upward into the cup
or in other embodiments maintain the bas in place while the rest of
the cup moves down past the base, thereby tamping the brewing
material therein. Certainly, any other suitable engagement
mechanism other than a needle may be utilized to engage the movable
base of the brewing cups of the present invention.
[0099] With some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention,
base member 151 includes an engagement member 154, with this
engagement member positioned within and movable within guide track
153. Referring additionally to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B,
there are respectively shown cutaway, cutaway and bottom isometric
views of brewing cup 100 showing base 151 positioned in cup body
111 in a position that would compress brewing material. Notice that
cup body 111 has moved down past base 151. FIGS. 4B, 5B, and 6B are
the same as their respective FIGS. 4A, 5A, and 6A, except that flow
passages 107 in the sidewalls are shown with filters 127, and flow
passages 157 of base member 151 are shown with filters 167.
[0100] As discussed, many of the current commercially available
single serve coffee brewing machines have a needle that will
puncture the bottom of a single serve coffee cartridge, once that
cartridge is placed within a holder in the brewing chamber of the
coffee machine and a handle engaged to close the brewing chamber.
See, FIGS. 4A and 4B showing (a portion of) brewing chamber 203,
holder 206 and needle 205. In the practice of the present
invention, essentially, as brewing cup 100 is placed within holder
206 within brewing chamber 203 of such a brewing machine, needle
205 that is designed to puncture the disposable brewing cups will
instead of puncturing will contact engagement member 154 and
maintain its height, while the rest of cup 100 moves down past base
151. Guide track 153 allows for the relative movement between base
151 and cup body 111 to reduce the size of cup reservoir 102 and
thus also compress any brewing material. As compared to FIGS. 1A,
1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, base member 151 has been moved into a
compression position in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B.
[0101] In some non-limiting embodiments, at least the portion of
base 151 that will contact needle 205 may comprise a soft pliable
material that will allow needle 205 to slightly penetrate base 151
but not to the extent of fully penetrating base 151. This is to
prolong the life of the point of needle 205, as an unyielding
surface would most certainly dull needle 205 more quickly that a
soft slightly penetrateable surface. Thus, in the event that a
disposable K-Cup coffee pod or similar pod is utilized, needle 205
will still be able to penetrate the pod as required. Generally,
base 151 will not be fully penetrated by needle 205, however, the
present invention does include some non-limiting embodiments in
which base 151 may be fully penetrated, and still maintained at a
given height as cup body 111 moves down past it.
[0102] The above described compression of the brewing material is
believed to slow down the flow of brewing liquid through the
brewing material, thus increasing brewing times (i.e, there is more
steeping). Thus, more compression means more steeping and less
compression means less steeping.
[0103] Note that guide track 153 is not required, but is helpful
for stabilizing the relative movement between base 151 and cup body
111. Other options include providing interlocking tracks/grooves on
cup body 111 and base member 151. While it is believed that a
freely moving base 151 will engage and compress coffee, its
movements might not be stable, and thus some sort of guide system
is recommended, either on the base member 151, on the engagement
member 154, or on both.
[0104] The present invention is not to be limited to the embodiment
of brewing cup 100. It should be understood that many suitable
brewing cup may be utilized in the practice of the present
invention, provided it also includes a base, with at least a
portion of the base being movable within that cup body to provide a
tamping effect on the contents of cup body. Brewing cups that may
incorporate a movable base may be one-time disposable or may be
reuseable. For example, embodiments of the present invention
include any of the known disposable or reusable prior art single
serve cups provided such cups are modified to include such a base.
Other non-limiting examples include any of the cups 100, 200 or 300
as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20130017303, herein
incorporated by reference.
[0105] Referring additionally to FIGS. 7-11, there is shown an
adjustable engagement member 154 that may be adjusted to provide
variable steeping.
[0106] FIGS. 7-11 show base member 151 that includes an adjustable
engagement member 154. Specifically, there are grooves and
protrusions 163 on engagement member 154 that will interlock with
grooves and protrusions 164 on base 151. In operation, adjustment
is made by sliding out engagement member 154 and repositioning it
at the desired level. While the embodiment as shown has 3 distinct
levels, certainly any number of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more
distinct levels may be provided, or engagement member 154 could be
adjustable by a tapered screw mechanism that would allow for an
infinite positioning of engagement member 154 between a high and a
low setting, or perhaps a slideable friction-fit engagement member
that slides between high/low (see, FIGS. 14-15 discussed below).
Brewing apparatus of the present invention will generally include a
brewing chamber in which is positioned a holder 206 into which cup
100 is positioned. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are cutaway views of cup 100
positioned in holder 206 with engagement member 154 in contact with
needle 205, showing, respectively, engagement member 154 positioned
for level 3 tamping, level 2 tamping, and level 1 tamping as shown
by the differences in the height 209.
[0107] Some embodiments of the present invention also include
apparatus having a set of 2 or more distinct interchangeable bases
for each tamping setting. That is, instead of an adjustable base,
there would be 2 or more pre-set bases that are interchangeable.
For example, three pre-set bases that are pre-set to provide level
3, level 2 and level 1 tamping as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11,
except instead of an adjustable engagement member 154, each would
have a different pre-set non-adjustable engagement member 154. Each
of the pre-set bases would have an engagement member at a pre-set
height to provide the desired tamping level 1, 2 or 3.
[0108] Referring additionally to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown a
non-limiting embodiment of brewing cup 100 positioned within
brewing chamber 203 of brewing apparatus 200. Some of the details
of cup 100 are not shown in FIGS. 12-14, so reference may be made
to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B.
[0109] Most commonly, for many embodiments of the present
invention, brewing apparatus 200 will be a coffee brewing machine
commonly commercially available for use with K-Cup pods and similar
coffee pods. Examples of suitable brewing machines include that
that are commercially available through Keurig and commonly known
as K-Cup machines. A number of brewing machines suitable for use
with the brewing cups of the present invention, and which may be
suitable in forming the apparatus of the present invention, may be
found in many of the patents and publications listed herein,
including but not limited to U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,189 and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,325,765, both issued to Sylvan.
[0110] Beverage brewing apparatus 200 may also include a brewer
housing 224 having a first component or housing 224 that defines a
brewing chamber 203 with a bottom 206 and with an access opening
201. A second component 223 may be generally referred to as atop,
cover, cap or lid, and may be opened to afford access to said
brewing chamber 203 via said access opening 201. This second
component 223 may be closed to coact in sealing engagement with
said first component 224 to close said access opening 201. This
brewing apparatus 200 may also include an engagement portion 205.
Most of the current commercially available brewing machines utilize
a needle 205 to pierce the bottom of a disposable K-Cup pod, and
certain embodiments of the present invention utilize that needle
205 to abut against and hold base 151 is position. This needle 205
may or more not partially penetrate into base 151. In the
embodiment shown, needle 205 and engagement portion 154 are in
contact, with needle 205 maintaining base 151 in position at a
height 251 above the bottom of chamber 203. It should be
understood, that any portion of first component 224 may be utilized
to engage with base 151, for example, a raised or protruding
portion of bottom 206. First component 224 and second component 223
may be hinged together as shown by hinge 221, or second component
may be a fully removeable cap or lid, optionally tethered to
housing 224. Brewed liquids will exit through and be collect from
port 209.
[0111] Brewing apparatus 200 may also include impermeable brewing
cup 100 as described above. As shown, brewing cup 100 is removably
received in said brewing chamber 203, with brewing cup 100
comprising a liquid impermeable cup housing 111 that defines a
reservoir 102 with brewing material contained in reservoir 102. The
cup housing may include a first cup housing portion 101 that
defines a liquid entry port 105 into the reservoir 102. The cup
housing may further include a second cup housing portion 151 or
tamping member 151 movable into and out of the reservoir 102 to
vary the size of the reservoir 102. The cup housing 111 may even
further define one or more liquid exit ports.
[0112] Brewing apparatus 200 may also include a liquid injector
205, that once the second component 223 is closed, will engage the
liquid entry port 205 and be in liquid communication with reservoir
102, and provide liquid to reservoir 102.
[0113] As can be seen in FIG. 12, the engagement portion 205 is
positioned within brewing chamber 203 and in contact with base 151
which will function as a the tamping member. More specifically, in
this non-limiting embodiment, engagement member 205 is in contact
with an adjustable portion 154 of tamping member 151. Notice, that
when the second component 223 is opened, this engagement portion
205 maintains the base/tamping member 151 a set off distance 251
from bottom 206 of the brewing chamber 203. Note that some of the
details of cup 100 are not shown in FIGS. 12-13 or are not provided
a reference number, so reference may be made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A,
2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B for those details and for
reference numbers for like items.
[0114] FIG. 13 shows brewing apparatus 200 with top 223 closed.
Notice that once the second component 223 is closed, this second
component 223 forces housing portion 224 to move toward bottom 206
of the brewing chamber 203 while the engagement portion 205 remains
in contact with adjustable portion 154 of base/tamping member 151,
and thereby maintains tamping member 151 at the set off distance
from the bottom of the brewing chamber 102, resulting in relative
movement between the housing portion 224 and the tamping member
151, and resulting in the tamping member 151 being positioned a
compression distance 253 into the reservoir to shrink/reduce the
volume of reservoir 102 and thus compress any brewing material
contained within brewing chamber 102 In most cases, set off
distance 251 will equal compression distance 253. While it is true
that in some embodiments, engagement member 205 will penetrate
tamping member 151 to some extent and/or that there may be some
"give" in the materials arising from the engagement, those are
usually considered negligible and in the context of the present
invention set off distance 251 will be considered to equal
compression distance 253 even with some penetration or give in the
materials.
[0115] Referring additionally, to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a
non-limiting embodiment of brewing cup 100 positioned within
brewing chamber 202 of brewing apparatus 200. Some of the details
of cup 100 are not shown in FIGS. 14-15 or are not provided a
reference number, so reference may be made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B,
3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B for those details and for
reference numbers for like items. Various parts shown in FIGS. 14
and 15 are essentially the same as in the above figures, except
that adjustable member 154 serves to maintain base 151 a set off
distance above bottom 206, and engagement member 205 is essentially
bottom 206. Adjustable member 154 is slidably adjustable within
guide member 155 and in the embodiment shown is friction fit. Of
course, any types of mechanism for positioning adjustment member
154 may be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include
notches, snaps, grooves, threads. For example, adjustable member
154 and guide member 155 may have paired threads to allow up/down
positioning of adjustable member 154.
[0116] Of course, rather than providing an adjustable base member
151, variable tamping may be provided by providing an adjustable or
interchangeable engagement member 205. Referring additionally, to
FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 17A, 17B, 17C, 18A, 18B, and 18C, there are
shown various non-limiting embodiments of engagement members 205
positioned within brewing chamber 203 as defined by housing 224.
And all of these engagement members 205 may be utilized with the
embodiments as described above.
[0117] FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C show a non-limiting set of
interchangeable engagement members 205 having different heights
that will of course, provide different set off distances of the
base 151 from brewing chamber bottom 206. While a set of 3 are
shown, it is understood that any set of 2 or more are contemplated.
Certainly, the interchangeable set does not have to be in the shape
of a needle, but may be any suitable regular or irregular geometric
shape.
[0118] FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C show non-limiting adjustable
engagement member 205 that is adjusted to different heights in the
various figures that will of course, provide different set off
distances of the base 151 from brewing chamber bottom 206. In FIG.
17A telescoping member 205 is fully extended, in FIG. 17B
telescoping member 205 is partially telescoped to provide a middle
height, and in FIG. 17C telescoping member is telescoped closed to
provide a short height. While in the embodiment shown, the
adjustable engagement member 205 is a telescoping member, is should
be understood, that any suitable mechanism for varying the height
of a member may be utilized.
[0119] FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C show another an adjustable
engagement member 205 that is also adjusted to different heights in
the various figures that will of course, provide different set off
distances of the base 151 from brewing chamber bottom 206. In the
embodiment shown, adjustable engagement member 205 is adjustable
up/down within guide 235, to various heights ranging from low to
medium to high heights as shown. Engagement member 205 is slidably
adjustable within guide member 235 and in the embodiment shown is
friction fit. Of course, any type of mechanism for engagement
member 205 may be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include
notches, snaps, grooves, threads. For example, engagement member
205 and guide member 235 may have paired threads to allow up/down
positioning of engagement member 205.
[0120] Other embodiments of the present invention include
disposable brewing cups having brewing material therein (for
example coffee), and having a preset tamping level. For example, a
disposable brewing cup of coffee having a movable base pre-set to
provide a tight compaction level for a longer brewing time, or a
disposable brewing cup of coffee having a movable base pre-set to
provide a tight compaction level for a longer brewing time. It
could be that different brewing materials (i.e., coffee vs. tea vs.
hot cider) require different brewing times for optimum preparation,
and thus could be packaged in disposable brewing cup with a
moveable base pre-set for that optimum brewing level. That might
also be true between different types of coffee.
[0121] In addition to a movable base, the variable tamping of the
present invention may be carried out with a flexible base that will
flex upon being closed within the brewing chamber to provide
tamping, see, FIGS. 19A and 19B. Flexible base 151 starts out
flexed outward to maximize the volume of reservoir 102. Once
brewing apparatus 200 is closed, brewing cup is forced downward,
resulting in engagement member 205 forcing flexible base 151 up and
into reservoir 102, thereby reducing the volume of reservoir 102
and compressing brewing material therein.
[0122] While the present invention has been illustrated with a
movable base, it is certainly the case that a moveable top may also
be utilized to carry out the tamping of the present invention, and
such would be considered to be equivalent to a moveable base.
[0123] One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may
include refilling cup 100 with a brewing material, for example
coffee. Again, it should be understood that any suitable brewing
material may be placed into cup 100.
[0124] All of the patents, publications, applications, articles,
books, magazines, and any other prior art cited in this
specification, are herein incorporated by reference.
[0125] It should be understood that while the present invention has
been illustrated mainly by reference to filtration of a gas stream,
it finds utility in the filtration of gas streams, liquid streams,
and gas/liquid streams.
[0126] The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather
than as limiting the scope or nature of the claims below. Numerous
modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled
in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of
equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements
described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for
couplings described herein, and/or use of equivalent functional
actions for actions described herein. Any insubstantial variations
are to be considered within the scope of the claims below.
Regarding the independent claims, it should be understood that
other independent claims may be pursued and that the present filing
is only being limited to four independent claims to conform to
current Track 1 filing requirements, not because the present
invention is to be limited to four independent claim. Other
independent claims may include other apparatus claims, product
claims, and method claims as supported by this specification.
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