With Agitating Or Compacting Patents (Class 99/287)
  • Patent number: 11910952
    Abstract: An automatic beverage brewer for coffee, tea, and the like, and more particularly, which is customizable both in physical configuration including number and location of external brewing fonts, optionally in association with a bulk brewing font and receiving container, and in automatic operation to dispense hot water to the respective fonts and a main brewing basket or baskets responsive to user inputted beverage brewing commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NEWCO ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Webster, Jody G. Jacobsen, David L. Brandsma, Thomas Liebe
  • Patent number: 11882957
    Abstract: Provided is a coffee tamper. The coffee tamper of the disclosure includes a tamper body including a connecting hole communicated in a vertical direction, a guide portion provided in the tamper body and including an inner through-hole communicated to the connecting hole, a central connecting portion of which one side is stopped by the guide portion and of which another side penetrates the inner through-hole and extends downward, a tamping portion provided below the tamper body and configured to couple with the central connecting portion, and a compressing portion provided between the guide portion and the tamping portion and configured to downwardly compress the tamping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Zae Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 11846466
    Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ColdSnap, Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Fonte, Robert Devaney, John Heymans, Nicholas Fonte, Benjamin Fichera, Ian McGinty, Jason Hugenroth, Max Louis Lemoine, Daniel Ross Stelly
  • Patent number: 11825990
    Abstract: A coffee grinding machine is described, said machine comprising a first grinder and a second grinder cooperating with each other based on a first grinding parameter for grinding coffee beans, thus obtaining a first dose of ground coffee during a first grinding cycle, wherein the coffee grinding machine also comprises a weighing device configured to measure the weight of said first dose of coffee substantially at the end of said first grinding cycle, wherein said weight measurement of said first dose measured at the end of said first grinding cycle is used to set a second grinding parameter of a second dose, ground after the first dose during a second grinding cycle. The coffee grinding machine is configured to interrupt the grinding of said second dose during said second grinding cycle in a manner not dependent on an actual weight measurement of said second dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: LA MARZOCCO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Andrea Dionisio
  • Patent number: 11812888
    Abstract: A coffee brewing system includes a brew vessel adapted to receive water and ground coffee to produce and store a brewed beverage and to provide for a cleaning system. The brew vessel includes a filter and a magnet stirrer in the lower portion of the brew vessel. The magnet stirrer creates a water vortex for brewing the coffee. The used coffee grounds are allowed to settle on the filter creating a bed of used coffee grounds and the coffee is then filtered through both the bed of used coffee grounds and the filter and collected in a coffee storage container. A cleaning system is used to remove unsightly coffee stains and oil films in the system after a brewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Havana Savannah, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 11812887
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system to distribute or compact coffee grounds, such as to form a puck in a portafilter. The methods, apparatus, and system may be used to compact coffee grounds wherein a resulting puck of coffee grounds in the portafilter has an even level, a uniform and or continuous density distribution, results in no or reduced formation of channels, no or reduced squirting of extracted coffee, and results in consistent and repeatable results. The methods, apparatus, and system may be used to form multiple layers in a puck, for use in preparing layered espresso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HYAQU, INC.
    Inventors: Edward T. Nista, Colin Jacob Miller, Justin Matthew Knowles
  • Patent number: 11751713
    Abstract: The embodiment relates to the convenient amateur creation of a beverage where the extraction of flavor into a solvent is obtained using ultrasound. Where the solvent and solute are held in a removable carafe which has an ultrasound transducer. A control system will trigger ultrasound into the solvent for specific durations in order to quickly create the desired outcome. The use of one or more computers that will be able to implement a recipe, control the machine, and interact with the user ensure that the end user is able to operate the machine easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Denis Londry, Glen Poss, Antonio Fernandez, Stephen Chang
  • Patent number: 11718468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more food or beverage ingredients comprising an insert (10) and a container (20) where the ingredient or ingredients are stored, the insert (10) comprising at least a fluid inlet (110) configured for introducing an aqueous fluid under the form of a jet in the inner volume of the pack, the insert (10) further comprising at least an air conduit (130) configured to allow introducing air from the exterior of the pack and into the inner volume of the said pack through at least an air nozzle (132). The at least one fluid inlet (110) communicates with a depression chamber (200) through at least one liquid nozzle (120) in order to create a jet from a pressurized fluid introduced through the fluid inlet (110). The invention further relates to the use of a pack as described for preparing a food or beverage product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Christophe Sebastien Paul Heydel, Christian Talon
  • Patent number: 11666174
    Abstract: A system for the preparation of a liquid product comprises a disposable cartridge filled with a single serve portion of a liquid ingredient to be combined with a base liquid for the preparation of a liquid product. Further the system comprises a dispensing apparatus with a pressurized gas source, wherein the apparatus is adapted to bring said pressurized gas source in direct communication with the reservoir of the disposable cartridge so as to allow said liquid ingredient therein to be pressurized by said gas thereby assisting the dispensing thereof from the reservoir via said one or more dispensing passages. The system is adapted to create one or more openings in said portion of the sealing film that covers the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Apiqe Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jasper Jacobus Van De Sluis, Roland Waldemar Verbeek
  • Patent number: 11659953
    Abstract: A brewer system includes a storage tank, a brew chamber movable relative to the storage tank and positioned over a mouth of the storage tank, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the storage tank. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage. The brewed beverage passes through the filter tape and into the storage tank through the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Mazzini, John D. Bishop
  • Patent number: 11641973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage machine (1) having an external housing (10) and a movable beverage preparation module (20, 30) that is configured to process a beverage and/or a beverage ingredient to be dispensed. The housing (10) has a front opening (10?) and forms a cavity (10?) for housing the module (20, 30). The module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into an operative position into the cavity (10?) and removable as a unit out of the cavity (10?) via the front opening (10?). The housing (10) has a cavity connector (11) in the cavity (10?) and the module (20, 30) has a module connector that is connected to the cavity connector (11) when the module (20, 30) is located there against while reaching its operative position and that is disconnected from the cavity connector (11) when the module (20,30) is removed from the cavity (10?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Chioda, Marco Restelli, Laurent Sache
  • Patent number: 11596261
    Abstract: Device and method embodiments discussed herein may be used to enhance a brewing process, extraction process, steeping process or infusing process. Such infusion processes may be used for making coffee, tea, oil, alcohol or any other suitable infused liquid where a user desires to enhance or control such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KINETIC IDEATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mike Sjaastad, Lou Lederer, Fred Sklenar
  • Patent number: 11583132
    Abstract: A device (2) for pressing a dose of ground coffee powder includes a filter holder cup (3) having a filter (4) for depositing the dose of ground coffee powder, an attaching support (7) in which the cup (3) is separably attached, a grinder (8) for coffee beans including a slide (9) for dispensing ground coffee having an outlet (10) positioned above the mouth (5) of the cup (3), a pressing piston (15) for pressing the dose of ground coffee powder present in the filter (4) mounted in the cup (3), and a lifting mechanism for lifting the pressing piston (15) in a position above the outlet (10) of the slide (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: De'Longhi Appliances S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe De'Longhi, Giovanni Rossetto, Maurizio Casasola, Massimo Poggioli
  • Patent number: 11559165
    Abstract: A coffee brewer contains a brewing unit in which coffee grounds having been poured in are compressed by a plunger driven by an actuator. Heated water flows through the compressed coffee grounds. A control device controls the actuator in accordance with signals of an angle of rotation sensor. The control device first moves the plunger against a stop in an ejection position to calibrate the sensor, then moves the plunger by a predetermined distance in a downwards direction into a pouring-in position. Afterwards the control device moves the plunger by a second distance into the brewing position, a length of the predetermined distance and the second distance corresponds to a number of pulses of the sensor which are stored in the memory. The control device subsequently moves the plunger by a third distance back into the ejection position in which the coffee grounds are removed from the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SPENGLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heuberger
  • Patent number: 11534018
    Abstract: A beverage brewer includes a brewing chamber, a hollow injection nozzle, a rotation member, and a motor. The brewing chamber is configured to receive and hold a brewing cartridge. The injection nozzle is arranged in fluid communication with a liquid supply and configured to enter a brewing cartridge when the brewing cartridge is disposed in the brewing chamber and to provide fluid communication from the liquid supply to an interior of the brewing cartridge. The rotation member is arranged at a periphery of the brewing chamber. The motor is configured to rotate the rotation member. The beverage brewer can also include a hollow extraction nozzle arranged opposite an opening of the brewing chamber and configured to enter the brewing cartridge when the brewing cartridge is disposed in the brewing chamber and to provide fluid communication from an interior of the brewing cartridge to an exterior of the brewing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 11510519
    Abstract: A steeping apparatus (10) includes a container (12) and a partition (22) dividing the container into upper and lower chambers (24, 26). The partition has a central aperture (32, FIG. 2) which interconnects the chambers and is arranged to trap a volume of air 38 in the lower chamber when the container is filled with liquid. Hot water poured into the upper chamber (24) passes through the aperture to partially fill the lower chamber, trapping a volume of air (38). Brewing material (34) located in the upper chamber (24) steeps in the hot water to produce a beverage and gradually sinks into the lower chamber (26) through the aperture. The air (38) trapped in the lower chamber applies a force to the liquid inhibiting movement of liquid between the chambers so that the brewing material (34) is isolated from the beverage. In other embodiments, the partition is pressed down through the container after brewing to isolate the brewing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Abdul Ebrahim Patel
  • Patent number: 11446717
    Abstract: A self-cleaning food processor includes a body and a crushing assembly. The crushing assembly includes a cup body, a cup lid, a crushing electric motor and a crushing device, wherein the cup lid cooperates with the cup body to form a crushing cavity, an output shaft of the crushing electric motor extends into the crushing cavity, the crushing device is located in the crushing cavity and is connected to the output shaft of the crushing electric motor, and the volume of the crushing cavity is V1. A cleaning process is provided after the food processor completes food processing, and in the cleaning process, cleaning water, the volume of which is no less than V0, is injected into the cup body at least twice, and the crushing device is controlled to drive the cleaning water to move in the crushing cavity, wherein 0.2V1?V0?0.6V1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: JOYOUNG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xuning Wang, Hongwei Guo, Yanhua Wu, Qilang Huang
  • Patent number: 11432676
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a coffee brewing device, which comprises a brewing head assembly, a powder box assembly, a screw assembly, a body fixing frame assembly, a movable frame assembly and a powder guide box assembly which are correspondingly provided. The present invention realizes the direction-variable movement of the powder box assembly in the movement process, and swings to corresponding positions for adding coffee powder, brewing, pushing out residues, scraping residues and realizing restoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SUZHOU DR.COFFEE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Zicong Huang
  • Patent number: 11412880
    Abstract: A drinking container with filtering cover comprises a cup cover component, an inner plug component, a cup body, and a bottom cover component. A first accommodating space is formed in the cup body; the inner plug component seals the first accommodating space; the cup cover component is connected with the cup body; the bottom cover component is connected to the lower part of the cup body; the bottom cover component comprises a bottom cover and a filtering mesh cover. A second accommodating space is provided in the bottom cover; the filtering mesh cover is placed in the second accommodating space. A third accommodating space is provided in the filtering mesh cover; a filtering mesh member is provided on the filtering mesh cover; and the filtering mesh cover is rotatably connected with a folding supporting component and forms an accommodating position and a supporting position by rotating the folding supporting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Haers HK Limited
    Inventor: Lizhen Lyu
  • Patent number: 11382451
    Abstract: Temperature control for extracted beverages, including coffee, via controlled vacuum, and associated systems and methods are shown. A representative system includes a brew chamber, a beverage chamber in fluid communication with the brew chamber, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the beverage chamber, and a flow control device positioned to vary the force applied by the vacuum chamber on the brew chamber via the beverage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Voga Coffee, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Lewis Avins, Eli Salomon
  • Patent number: 11383883
    Abstract: A portable beverage container includes a portion pack and a fixing cap, wherein the portion pack includes a tubular-shaped fastening part having a first screw formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a storage part extending from the fastening part and configured to store a tea bag or a concentrate therein, and the fixing cap includes an inner insertion part disposed by inserting into the fastening part of the portion pack and having a second screw formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof to be screwed with a screw formed at an inlet of a bottled water container; and an outer insertion part extending from an upper end of the inner insertion part parallel thereto and having a third screw formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof to be screwed with the first screw formed on the fastening part of the portion pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ROYALGREENS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jee Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 11337439
    Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ColdSnap, Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Fonte, John Heymans, Nicholas Fonte, Robert Devaney, Ian McGinty, Vincent Weaver, Benjamin Fichera
  • Patent number: 11109707
    Abstract: A portable beverage press mug is includes a vessel and a press head assembly. The press head assembly includes a screen (or filter) and a valve arrangement covering the screen. The valve arrangement is movable in response to fluid pressure to create a gap between the valve arrangement and the frame and permit fluid to pass through the screen and the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Streamline Design, LLC
    Inventor: David J. Yakos
  • Patent number: 11039710
    Abstract: The coffee machine has at least one infusion unit and at least one filter holder that is manually connected to and disconnected from the infusion unit for preparation of coffee, and it comprises at least one added support element of the filter holder for keeping it attached to the coffee machine when the filter holder is not connected to the infusion unit, said added support element comprising heating means for heating said filter holder to a predetermined temperature. The additional support element can be implemented also as a standalone element and, therefore, not connected to the coffee machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CMA MACCHINE PER CAFFE' S.r.l.
    Inventors: Beppino Ceotto, Giovanni Rossetto
  • Patent number: 11000147
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a brewing device (1) adapted for preparing beverages, in particular aromatic beverages such as espresso coffee and similar, by means of mixing a pressurized flow with an edible substance contained in a capsule (2). Said brewing device (1) comprises a force transmission disposition (3), an injection disposition (4), a collection disposition (5) and a structural disposition (6), as well as a base support (7) provided on the downwards-oriented side of said injection disposition (4) and projecting beyond thereof so as to provide support to a downwards-oriented part of said capsule (2), whereby said base support (7) is provided so that can be moved together with said injection disposition (4), and moved relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A.
    Inventor: Rui Miguel Nabeiro
  • Patent number: 10993458
    Abstract: A unit for receiving and treating capsules containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product includes: a housing configured to receive a capsule containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product; and an unloading device adapted to trigger expulsion of the capsule from the housing. The unloading device includes an impact portion adapted to engage the capsule and a locking portion configured to lock the unloading device to the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ALI GROUP S.R.L.—CARPIGIANI
    Inventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
  • Patent number: 10973363
    Abstract: A beverage brewing press has an open topped container for receiving a liquid and particulate matter to be brewed into a beverage, a hollow plunger shaft, a sealing filter piston disposed on the plunger shaft, the sealing filter piston having a peripheral seal slidably sealing to an interior of the container and for separating the interior of the container into a first compartment and a second compartment, the piston having a filter thereon for allowing brewed beverage to be filtered from the first compartment into the second compartment upon displacement of the piston, an agitator disposed below the piston, the agitator being fastened to an agitator shaft disposed concentrically rotatably and slidably in the hollow plunger shaft, a displaceable distance being provided between the agitator and the piston, the agitator shaft being slidable in the plunger shaft to take-up the displaceable distance between the agitator and the piston when the piston moves toward the agitator due to an axial force exerted on the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Daniel L. Dujmich
  • Patent number: 10952937
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a capsule comprising one or more solid oral care ingredients, said capsule being adapted for use in an apparatus that combines a solvent, for example water, and the oral care ingredients to provide a liquid, for example aqueous, oral care composition. The present disclosure also provides apparatus adapted to provide an aqueous oral care composition by directing water through the capsule; aqueous oral care compositions prepared by use of the capsule and/or apparatus, and methods for the use of the aqueous oral care compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Robert Pierce, Nagarajan Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 10881241
    Abstract: The brewing system disclosed herein includes a moving inlet nozzle for use in intermixing hot water and coffee in a coffee cartridge. The inlet nozzle may include one or more flow ports that inject hot water into an inner chamber of the coffee cartridge at select angles, locations and pressures to create the desired fluidized mixture of hot water and beverage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Coffee Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 10863856
    Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus for preparation of a beverage from a capsule in a clamp assembly (30). The clamp assembly has a first clamp member (31) and a second clamp member, where the inner surfaces of the first clamp member and the second clamp member form a clamp chamber (33) for substantially enclosing and supporting a capsule (10) during beverage preparation. The second clamp member comprises a rigid peripheral frame (32) having a central void and a resilient layer (37) extending across said central void. There is a piston (36) positioned in the central void and resiliently coupled to the peripheral frame (32) to allow limited resilient movement of the rigid peripheral frame (32) relative to the piston (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Lavazza Professional North America, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Fletcher, David Knowles, Mark Thompson, Philip Mould, Peter Austin
  • Patent number: 10863855
    Abstract: A centrifugal device for brewing coffee includes a spinning assembly, the spinning assembly includes a piston element, a cylinder element including a peripheral wall, a filter, a motor and a spindle connected to the motor. The piston element includes a nut. During centrifugal rotation, the piston element is in a coffee brewing position, and during the centrifugal rotation the piston element is rotated by the spindle via the action on the nut and is pressed against the upper rim, where a centrifugal force is created which forms a bed of coffee against the peripheral wall and which drives hot water through the bed of coffee and through the filter. A stopping device includes an engagement member and an actuator, the engagement member being movable by the actuator between an engaged position engaging the piston element of the spinning assembly and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Spinn Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Cornelis Van Hattem
  • Patent number: 10830529
    Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sigma Phase, Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Fonte, Robert Devaney, John Heymans, Nicholas Fonte, Benjamin Fichera, Ian McGinty, Jason Hugenroth, Max Louis Lemoine, Daniel Ross Stelly
  • Patent number: 10820747
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing unit (1; 13; 15; 17) for an apparatus for supplying a beverage (in particular, coffee) which comprises an infeed section (21) and a dispensing section (23), which comprises three dispensing spouts (31, 32, 33). Two ducts (41, 42) are interposed in parallel between the infeed section and the dispensing section. Each duct receives a respective part of the beverage and has an outfeed (44). A movable member (5; 53; 7) is shiftable to change a liquid transfer path between the outfeeds of the two ducts and the dispensing section: when the movable member is in a first position, the respective parts of beverage are introduced into a same first dispensing spout (31); when the movable member is in a second position, the respective part of beverage of one duct (41) is introduced into a second dispensing spout (32) and the respective part of beverage of the other duct (42) is introduced into a third dispensing spout (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Italo Andrea Alvarez Virtoli, Sergio Zappella
  • Patent number: 10716426
    Abstract: A portable beverage press mug is includes a vessel and a press head assembly. The press head assembly includes a screen (or filter) and a valve arrangement covering the screen. The valve arrangement is movable in response to fluid pressure to create a gap between the valve arrangement and the frame and permit fluid to pass through the screen and the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Streamline Design, LLC
    Inventor: David J. Yakos
  • Patent number: 10694883
    Abstract: A beverage brewing device is configured to brew beverages such as coffee and tea. A brewing canister having a filter at a bottom end is held partially within a receiving beaker, and a seal is created between the canister outer surface and the beaker inner surface. Brewing media such as coffee grounds and brewing fluid such as hot water are added to the canister, mixed, and allowed to brew. At a desired time, the receiving beaker is moved relative to the brewing canister so that the brewing canister is partially removed from the receiving beaker. As such, a vacuum is formed between the bottom end of the brewing canister and the receiving beaker. The filter stops brewing media from flowing into the receiving beaker, but the vacuum draws the brewed beverage through the brewing media and filter and into the receiving beaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: David Harper
  • Patent number: 10682005
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser, in which a filter is arranged between the lower end of a brewing chamber and the upper end of a fluid receptacle, and a beverage brewed by supplying a raw material and water to the chamber and filtered by the filter is received in the fluid receptacle, and is thereafter delivered to a cup along a beverage path. The beverage dispenser includes a pump arranged partway along the beverage path, and that reduces a pressure in the fluid receptacle to draw the beverage from the chamber, and delivers it to the cup. A predetermined quantity of the raw material and a first quantity of water are supplied to the chamber, and thereafter, during the delivering of beverage, a second quantity of water is supplied to the chamber, so that without interruption, the beverage is delivered to and served in the cup C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SANDEN RETAILS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Suzuki, Taiichi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 10479038
    Abstract: A juicer cartridge includes a liquid impermeable compartment at least partially surrounding food matter. An information region may be disposed on the liquid impermeable compartment, wherein the information region includes information for controlling at least one pressing parameter for pressing the juicer cartridge, such as a desired pressing speed, force profile, pressing temperature, total pressing stroke, number of pauses, number of press and/or retract cycles, and a distance of a press and/or retract cycle. The juicer cartridge may be used by placing it in the pressing chamber of a juicer that reads information from the information region and presses the juicer cartridge using the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: FRESH PRESS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Evans, Paul Katz, Neil Schultz, Andrew Murphy
  • Patent number: 10368561
    Abstract: A coffee product including a sealed container having a liquid portion and a headspace. The liquid portion has coffee with a non-oxygen gas dissolved therein and the headspace contains at least approximately 3% oxygen and an amount of a non-oxygen gas. A method of manufacturing the coffee includes dissolving oxygen into a liquid coffee product and packaging the liquid coffee product with oxygen dissolved therein into a sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Kerflummox Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Janice Benson, Oussama Sabky
  • Patent number: 10342377
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Fred Cable, Peter Gale
  • Patent number: 10285534
    Abstract: A motorized beverage machine (1) has a brewing unit (2) that comprises a first assembly (13) and a second assembly (14) cooperating together, each assembly (13,14) delimiting part of a brewing chamber (29) for containing an ingredient capsule (30). At least one of these assemblies (14) is: movable away from the cooperating assembly (13) into an open position within such machine for forming between said assemblies a passage (31) for inserting into and/or removing from the brewing unit the ingredient capsule (30); and movable to the cooperating assembly into a closed position for forming the brewing chamber (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Peter Mori
  • Patent number: 10258190
    Abstract: The invention concerns a food or beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a flowable food product or a beverage by mixing a fluid with a precursor ingredient, said machine comprising: a base (2) having a fluid source, a pump means suitable for conducting said fluid from the source through fluid-conducting pipes to a fluid delivery port (9), and a functional element (3) detachable from the base (2), comprising connecting means (6, 7, 8) for connecting fluidly to the delivery port (9) of the base, characterized in that said base (2) and said detachable functional element (3) both have cooperating magnetic attachment means such that the detachable element and the base can be removably connected with an attracting magnetic effect, and then disconnected by rotating said detachable element relative to said base with a repelling magnetic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Youcef Ait Bouziad, Fabien Ludovic Agon, Alexandre Perentes, Alfred Yoakim, Philippe Dumur
  • Patent number: 10182678
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel solution for a device and method including a hand-operated brewing press 100 and a separate brewing container 120 configured to brew a beverage. The beverage is brewed via the hand-operated brewing press 100 by first attaching the portafilter 126 container a portion of the pre-ground brewing medium onto a press plate 130. Next, the cylinder is attached onto the portafilter 126. Next, a portion of hot fluid 129 is poured into the cylinder. Next a piston 122 is inserted into the cylinder. Next, a force is applied to the lever 110 resulting in the piston 122 sliding downward inside the cylinder applying a pressure to the portion of hot fluid 129, the portion of hot fluid 129 is forced to flow into the portafilter 126 and through the portion of the pre-ground brewing medium 127 to produce the brewed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Sergio Landau
  • Patent number: 10167135
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-portion package (1) presenting a flow distribution element (4) provided so as to divide the internal volume into a first free space (1.1) and a second compartment (1.2) containing at least one substance, and whereby said flow distribution element (4) is displaced along successive positions along and relative to the sidewall (3.1) under the fluid pressure developing on said first space (1.1), and so that it initially confines said substance and it then confines and/or compresses said substance. The present invention further relates to a system (10) for preparing liquid products and comprising at least two of said single-portion packages (1, 1?) preferentially presenting different flow distribution elements (4, 4?) so that it results for example in different first spaces (1.1, 1.1?) and respective compartments (1.2, 1.2?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MITACA S.r.l.
    Inventors: Edoardo Macchi, Francesco Minerba
  • Patent number: 10130206
    Abstract: A beverage machine includes a brewing unit with a main body defining a hollow for receiving different types of portable pad and/or capsule holders, and a lid connected to the main body for opening and closing the hollow. The beverage machine further includes first and second holders for receiving first and second types of a pad or capsule, respectively. The shape of the hollow is configured such that it may either receive the first or second holder. The lid includes (i) a first sealing member configured to seal a first brewing chamber between the lid and the first holder, when the first holder is inserted into the hollow, and (ii) a second sealing member which is different from the first sealing member and is configured to seal a second brewing chamber between the lid and the second holder, when the second holder is inserted into the hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Rijskamp, Rodin Enne Bruinsma, Hendrikus Lodewijk Joseph Franciscus Holten
  • Patent number: 10085588
    Abstract: The method for adjusting the quantity of coffee comprises the steps of: dispensing a predetermined quantity of coffee powder into an infusion chamber (36); by means of an electric actuator (19), closing said infusion chamber compressing the coffee powder in the infusion chamber. The method also provides for detection of at least one parameter of the electric actuator during at least a part of the step to close the infusion chamber and compress the coffee powder; and setting of the quantity of coffee powder dispensed in a subsequent dispensing cycle as a function of said parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gianni Remo, Ciro Adelmo Pilone, Riccardo Ziani
  • Patent number: 10064517
    Abstract: A coffee maker includes a base for supporting a coffee cup. A support arm is mounted on an upper surface of the base and extends perpendicularly to the base. The support arm includes a chamber. A holding tube extends outward from a top portion of the support arm. A reservoir securely is held by the holding tube and receives a liquid. A bracket extends outward from an intermediate portion of the support arm. A dissolution cup is supported by the bracket. A driver is mounted in the support arm and is configured to drive the reservoir to rotate. The liquid in the reservoir flow swirlingly into the dissolution cup to fully and evenly contact with surfaces of the coffee powder, thereby fully extracting the coffee powders. The liquid flows into the coffee cup after dissolving the coffee powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Roger Ou
  • Patent number: 9918582
    Abstract: A portable manually-operated coffee maker includes a cup body, a hydraulic base body, and a coffee brewing base body detachably connected into one piece. The hydraulic base body is disposed between the cup body and the coffee brewing base body. A water storage cavity, a water inlet passage, and a water outlet passage are disposed in the hydraulic base body. The water inlet passage is in communication with the water storage cavity and the cup body. An accommodating cavity and a coffee outlet passage are disposed in the coffee brewing base body. The water outlet passage is in communication with the water storage cavity and the accommodating cavity. A water inlet control valve is disposed in the water inlet passage, and a water outlet control valve is disposed in the water outlet passage. A hydraulic power rod is disposed in the water storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jianfang Song, Yves Lucien Hugo Cailleton
  • Patent number: 9867494
    Abstract: A reciprocating coffee filter and method is shown. One embodiment provides a coffee maker including a housing to receive a filter basket, a coffee filter basket to receive a coffee filter, and a reciprocation assembly connected to the housing and the coffee filter basket, the reciprocation assembly to oscillate a filter basket during a brewing process. Another embodiment provides a method for filling a coffee filter within a filter basket with coffee grounds, pouring hot water on the coffee grounds to brew the coffee, and oscillating the filter basket to increase coffee ground and hot water interaction while brewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Spencer Frazer
  • Patent number: 9840424
    Abstract: A water filter assembly for a beverage dispenser including a filter medium and a housing is provided. The water filter assembly may be positioned in a reservoir of the beverage dispenser. The filter medium and housing of the water filter assembly each extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a vertical direction of the beverage dispenser. The housing includes a support member at a first end and an attachment member at a second end. The support member is configured for supporting the water filter assembly within the reservoir, and the attachment member is configured for attaching the housing of the water filter assembly to a fitting in the reservoir of the beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Ansuraj Seenivasan
  • Patent number: 9833102
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming beverages using a beverage cartridge and sonic energy. A cartridge may include a sonic receiver, such as a feature that extends into an interior space of the cartridge and is arranged to receive a sonic emitter that introduces sonic energy into the interior space. The sonic receiver may be excited by sonic energy, which causes the sonic receiver to itself introduce sonic energy into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Peterson, Ross Peter Jones, Miles William Noel Hember, Javier Gonzalez-Zugasti