Patents by Inventor Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff

Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11944230
    Abstract: System for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the system comprising an exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) having a cup-shaped body (6A, 6B) and a lid (12A, 12B) and comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first brew chamber part (18) having a cavity for holding the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) and a second brew chamber part (20) for closing the first brew chamber part (18) to form a brew chamber (16). The second brew chamber part (20) has a sealing member (36, 37) for providing a liquid sealing engagement between the second brew chamber part (20) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B). The sealing member (36, 37) comprises an air purge groove (40) forming an air purge opening between the sealing member (36, 37) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the capsule for allowing air in the brew chamber (16) to escape to an exterior of the apparatus while pressurised liquid is supplied into the brewing chamber (16) for preparing the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Joeke Noordhuis, Andrea Favero, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Johan Van Toor, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Jarno Beekman
  • Patent number: 11786069
    Abstract: A beverage fluid dispensing head comprising a housing; and a fluid track, at least in part, arranged inside the housing. The fluid track comprises: an inlet channel arranged for receiving a beverage fluid, such as coffee, from a beverage apparatus; a collection chamber, fluidly connected to the inlet channel, for receiving the beverage fluid therefrom; and at least one outlet channel. The at least one outlet channel is fluidly connected to the collection chamber for receiving the beverage fluid from the collection chamber. A downstream part of the at least one outlet channel is formed as a tongue-shaped flow guide which is downwardly directed for, in use, guiding the received beverage fluid and submitting the received beverage fluid therefrom in the form of an integral fluid beam for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Rodin Enne Bruinsma, Joeke Noordhuis, Johannes Rogier De Vrind, Thijs Jelle Feenstra, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Nicholas Andrew Hansen, Harrison Lloyd Woodall
  • Publication number: 20230249900
    Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage comprises a substantially rigid capsule body with a circumferential wall and a base wall that border an inner space filed with a beverage ingredient. An open filling side of the capsule at an end of the circumferential wall opposite the base wall is covered with a lid of fluid tight material. The lid is provided with a preformed outlet opening suitable for draining the prepared beverage from the inner space when the capsule is used in a beverage preparation device. The outlet opening is fluid tightly closed by a removable cover element extending over at least part of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Richard John Andrews, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Paul Alderson, Christian Solano Bermejo
  • Patent number: 11649108
    Abstract: Pad including a covering filled with a soluble beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on a bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The at least one outlet opening preferably has a diameter of a sufficient size for passing beverage substantially unrestricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Publication number: 20220061580
    Abstract: System for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the system comprising an exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) having a cup-shaped body (6A, 6B) and a lid (12A, 12B) and comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first brew chamber part (18) having a cavity for holding the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) and a second brew chamber part (20) for closing the first brew chamber part (18) to form a brew chamber (16). The second brew chamber part (20) has a sealing member (36, 37) for providing a liquid sealing engagement between the second brew chamber part (20) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B). The sealing member (36, 37) comprises an air purge groove (40) forming an air purge opening between the sealing member (36, 37) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the capsule for allowing air in the brew chamber (16) to escape to an exterior of the apparatus while pressurised liquid is supplied into the brewing chamber (16) for preparing the beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Joeke Noordhuis, Andrea Favero, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Johan Van Toor, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Jarno Beekman
  • Publication number: 20210315412
    Abstract: A beverage fluid dispensing head comprising a housing; and a fluid track, at least in part, arranged inside the housing. The fluid track comprises: an inlet channel arranged for receiving a beverage fluid, such as coffee, from a beverage apparatus; a collection chamber, fluidly connected to the inlet channel, for receiving the beverage fluid therefrom; and at least one outlet channel. The at least one outlet channel is fluidly connected to the collection chamber for receiving the beverage fluid from the collection chamber. A downstream part of the at least one outlet channel is formed as a tongue-shaped flow guide which is downwardly directed for, in use, guiding the received beverage fluid and submitting the received beverage fluid therefrom in the form of an integral fluid beam for dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Rodin Enne Bruinsma, Joeke Noordhuis, Johannes Rogier De Vrind, Thijs Jelle Feenstra, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Nicholas Andrew Hansen, Harrison Lloyd Woodall
  • Patent number: 11083323
    Abstract: A container contains a beverage base material in a beverage base material chamber defined by a chamber bottom and a chamber wall. The container furthermore comprises an elongated handle extending in a direction having a radial component outward from the chamber. The handle is provided with an outlet channel extending from the chamber to a channel outlet provided at the free end of the handle. A beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage includes an automatic beverage preparation apparatus and such a container and is arranged for removably connecting the container to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards. A method of preparing a beverage using such a beverage preparation system in which the container is connected to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards for dispensing a beverage from the beverage base material chamber substantially vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman, Roy Gilsing, Richard Stephens, Jo Fleming, Brad Phillips
  • Publication number: 20210221603
    Abstract: Pad including a covering filled with a soluble beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on a bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The at least one outlet opening preferably has a diameter of a sufficient size for passing beverage substantially unrestricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Patent number: 10974891
    Abstract: Pad including a covering filled with an extractable beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on a bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The at least one outlet opening preferably has a diameter of a sufficient size for passing the beverage substantially unrestricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Patent number: 10966564
    Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity bounded by a chamber inner wall and a chamber bottom of the first brew chamber part wherein the cavity is arranged for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, wherein the first brew chamber part is further provided with an alignment cap which is movable in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Rijskamp, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Jarno Beekman, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff
  • Patent number: 10947035
    Abstract: Pad for use in coffee machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving. In use, in the coffee machine an aqueous fluid such as water is supplied under pressure to the pad so that the fluid is forced through the pad for obtaining a beverage that then exits the pad. The pad includes a covering with an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage, which beverage preparation product is a product such as ground coffee extractable with a fluid, such as water. The covering is formed by an optionally disc-shaped first sheet and a rigid shell, wherein the first sheet and the shell around their adjacent perimeter edges are connected to each other. The shell is equipped with at least one outlet, wherein on the interior space of the pad in a bottom of shell a fluid collecting structure is provided, advantageously embodied as channels in fluid connected with the at least one outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Patent number: 10934085
    Abstract: Pad including a covering filled with a soluble beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on a bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The at least one outlet opening preferably has a diameter of a sufficient size for passing beverage substantially unrestricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Patent number: 10875706
    Abstract: Pad for use in a coffee machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving which pad, for use in the coffee machine, is adapted to receive an aqueous fluid that is supplied under pressure so that the aqueous fluid is forced through the pad for obtaining the at least on part of the beverage serving that then exits the pad. The pad includes a covering defining an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage wherein the beverage preparation product includes a product soluble in an aqueous fluid. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell, wherein the first sheet and the shell are connected to each other around their perimeter edges, and wherein the shell is equipped with at least one outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Patent number: 10758079
    Abstract: Coffee bean package provided with an inner space for holding a collection of coffee beans for multiple portions of coffee beverage, which inner space is surrounded by at least one wall, a coffee bean outlet for dispensing coffee beans from the inner space, and a dosing device which is arranged for dispensing coffee beans from the inner space in a predetermined dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ivo Van Os, Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Philippe Jacques van Camp
  • Patent number: 10716428
    Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the method comprises the step of heating a beverage in a cup by means of injecting steam into the beverage through a wand and the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage in the cup, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage comprises during the step of heating the step of continuously recording an audio signal from the beverage and the step of deriving the temperature of the beverage from the recorded audio signal. A device for preparing a beverage, said device being provided with a beverage temperature sensor comprising at least one microphone and a controller which is loaded with a computer program for performing the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Trevor Michael Wood, William Roger Mainwaring-Burton
  • Publication number: 20200223622
    Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage comprises a substantially rigid capsule body with a circumferential wall and a base wall that border an inner space filed with a beverage ingredient. An open filling side of the capsule at an end of the circumferential wall opposite the base wall is covered with a lid of fluid tight material. The lid is provided with a preformed outlet opening suitable for draining the prepared beverage from the inner space when the capsule is used in a beverage preparation device. The outlet opening is fluid tightly closed by a removable cover element extending over at least part of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Richard John Andrews, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Paul Alderson, Christian Solano Bermejo
  • Patent number: 10667646
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage. The apparatus comprises a holder for receiving a coffee container. The holder comprising at least one outlet opening having at least one orifice for generating a coffee beverage flow when coffee beverage is fed to the outlet opening. A liquid flow path extends between the orifice and at least one outflow opening for discharging coffee beverage from the apparatus, a coffee outlet chamber being included in the liquid flow path. The apparatus further comprises an air flow generator for during operation- generating a flow of air in the coffee outlet chamber for entraining in the flow of air an aroma of the coffee beverage; said coffee outlet chamber comprising at least one dispenser opening for dispensing coffee beverage aroma in a direction away from the apparatus, in particular into the direction of the user. The at least one dispenser opening is separate from the at least one outflow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Johannes Cornelis Nieuwlaat
  • Patent number: 10561271
    Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the method comprises the step of heating a beverage in a cup by means of injecting steam into the beverage through a wand and the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage in the cup, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage comprises during the step of heating the step of continuously recording an audio signal from the beverage and the step of deriving the temperature of the beverage from the recorded audio signal. A device for preparing a beverage, said device being provided with a beverage temperature sensor comprising at least one microphone and a controller which is loaded with a computer program for performing the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Trevor Michael Wood, William Roger Mainwaring-Burton
  • Publication number: 20200000266
    Abstract: A capsule, a system and a use of the system for preparing double beverages like a double espresso, a double lungo and a double ristretto are provided. With the capsule, system and use, a high quality double espresso, double lungo and double ristretto can be brewed in an on demand apparatus. The capsule has a shape and configuration which is easily acceptable for the average user whereas the brew which is obtainable with the capsule meets high quality standards. To that effect, the capsule has a frusto-conical capsule body with a radial flange at one end, a foil lid closing off the body and connected to the flange, and a coffee bed which is accommodated in the internal space bounded by the capsule body and the foil lid and which has a weight of 9-13 g and a (height)/(maximum width) ratio within the range of 0.9-1.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventors: John Richard MELROSE, Richard John ANDREWS, Paul James HARPLEY, Gerbrand Kristiaan DE GRAAFF
  • Patent number: 10499763
    Abstract: A coffee bean packaging cartridge for holding and supplying multiple servings of coffee beans can be connected to a coffee beverage system. The cartridge includes a container having an outer wall defining an interior volume and an opening at one end thereof. A permanent, preferably non-removable closure member is fitted to the one end of the container and substantially covers the opening. An exit passage in the closure member, defines a coffee bean outlet, for transferring coffee beans from the interior volume. The closure member further has relatively movable closing means for selectively closing the exit passage to reduce exposure of the coffee bean contents to surrounding air. The cartridge further includes connecting means for connecting the cartridge to a coffee beverage system. There is also provided a coffee beverage system that includes the coffee bean packaging cartridge as defined above and at least a dosing device and a grinding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ivo Van Os, Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Job Leonardus Kneppers, Richard Patrick Versluijs, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman