Patents Examined by Anthony Weier
  • Patent number: 9497978
    Abstract: A method of making coffee is provided. After a cold-brewed coffee is extracted from coffee beans, nitrogen gas is charged into the cold-brewed coffee. The cold-brewed coffee into which nitrogen gas is dissolved, is cooled to form a nitrogen-charged coffee. Therefore, the nitrogen-charged coffee may keep a rich density of foam and a flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: PARIS CROISSANT CO., LTD
    Inventors: You Mei Choi, Youg Jun Choi, Ki Chan Hyun, Hyo Min Kwon
  • Patent number: 9493732
    Abstract: A method for extracting aromatic substances from solid plant based aroma bearers in a brew liquid, in particular in beer, having the steps: receiving a supply of aroma bearers in a process container, and flowing the process container through with a brew liquid, wherein the brew liquid flows through the process container with the supply of aroma bearers in at least one turbulent vortex flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: BeVa Besitz-und Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich Banke, Markus Langer
  • Patent number: 9492028
    Abstract: A brewing module includes a support element, a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part that can be moved relative to the first brewing module part. The first brewing module part and the second brewing module part have a discharging device for discharging an extraction product from a capsule and an injector for introducing an extraction liquid into the capsule. In a supporting position with the brewing chamber open, the support element catches a capsule inserted via a defined insertion position, such that the capsule lies on the support element and on a support part of the first brewing module part after insertion. By closing the brewing chamber, the support element is moved away from the supporting position into a resting position, wherein the capsule is simultaneously held by a gripping element of the first brewing module part and/or of the second brewing module part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: QBO COFFEE GMBH
    Inventor: Louis Deuber
  • Patent number: 9487347
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a capsule containing at least one aromatic substance for producing a beverage by means of its crossing by a pressurized fluid flow, and having at least one controlled opening element retained in a removable manner at least in one zone of the capsule facing the flow upstream and/or downstream. Said controlled opening element, by means of applying at least one certain actuation force exerted by a respective extraction device, may be displaced in at least linear or rotating fashion from an initial retaining position, that produces the airtight closure of the capsule, to at least one following position, thereby releasing at least one section of flow passageway of previously defined configuration and dimension in view of an optimized flow distribution inside said capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: NOVADELTA-COMÉRCIO E INDÜSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A
    Inventors: Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Daniel Freire Falcão T. Caramelo
  • Patent number: 9481506
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption. To that end, the assembly is provided with at least a first covering and a first ingredient included in the at least first covering, the first ingredient having a substance such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and like additives soluble or extractable in a liquid such as water. The assembly is further provided with a second ingredient, the second ingredient having a soluble or extractable substance such as ground coffee or tea while the second ingredient forms part of a substantially rigid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jan Steenhof, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 9480359
    Abstract: The techniques provide for a reconfigurable extraction column length based on the number of columns from a plurality of columns configured for use in an extraction apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of columns that each have an inlet, a central portion configured to hold extractable material during an extraction process, and an outlet. The reconfigurable extraction apparatus also includes a piping system connected to each of the plurality of columns that can selectively connect each of the plurality of columns, such that each column from the plurality of columns can be configured for an extraction process either singularly or in series or in parallel with one or more other columns from the plurality of columns, administering a solvent to one or more of the plurality of columns, and outputting the solvent after an extraction process occurs in the one or more of the plurality of columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Meltz, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Kalenian
  • Patent number: 9474406
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, James E. Shepard, Yoav Rabino, Ian Tinkler
  • Patent number: 9468865
    Abstract: A tincture and oil preparation apparatus that facilitates an automated method of manufacturing an herbal oil or tincture. The tincture and oil preparation apparatus includes a first container and a second container wherein the second container is suspendedly mounted within the first container. The first container includes a heating element, a control panel and a display screen. The control panel provides the ability to input cooking parameters for manufacturing of tinctures or oils. The cooking parameters include agitator speed, time and temperature. A lid having an electric motor and an agitator integrated therewith is operable to seal the first container and the agitator extends downward into the second container. The agitator is operable in a first speed category and a second speed category. The second container further includes mounting tabs operable to provide the suspended mounting of the second container within the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventors: Mary Young, Jason Young
  • Patent number: 9462911
    Abstract: A coffee machine having water heating means, a pump for supplying water into the heating means and a dispensing unit for extracting the coffee with the heated water is described. The heating means include a tubular element inside which the water supplied by the pump flows, and a heating element, separated from the tubular element by an air cavity; the pump and the heating element are connected and regulated by an electronic board, so as to supply into the dispensing unit the heated water in at least two different modes and at a same preset temperature, the different modes corresponding to different types of coffee to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Aroma Polti SA
    Inventor: Stefano Polti
  • Patent number: 9462824
    Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes transferring a mixture through a conduit, wherein the mixture comprises lean particles with frozen water, fat particles, and a fluid, allowing the frozen water in the lean particles to thaw as the mixture travels through the conduit, and increases a density of the lean particles, accumulating the lean particles with non-frozen water at a first elevation in the conduit, and accumulating fat particles at a second elevation in the conduit, wherein the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SAFEFRESH TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony J. M. Garwood
  • Patent number: 9456715
    Abstract: Shown are devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea. The devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea utilize steam, heated liquid, agitation, and recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Kumara Dyavarasegowda, Servesh Adderi Ranganath, Ramaraju Suraparaju Pattabi, Nishant Kulkarni, Jeff Garascia, Fernando Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9439532
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation machines having a multi-chambered basket unit are shown. The basket unit can be configured to accept multiple cartridge configurations. For example, some embodiments are configured to receive a first cartridge configuration in a first chamber of the basket unit and a second configuration in a second chamber of the basket unit. In various embodiments, the basket unit can rotate to allow selective accessibility of the first and second chambers. This can facilitate loading the cartridges into the appropriate chamber, such as loading the first cartridge configuration into the first chamber and the second cartridge configuration into the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Scott Crarer, Adam Mekeel Mack, Matthew Thomas James, Philipe Roget Manoux, Diane Chia-Lin Lee, Martin Ruegg
  • Patent number: 9439531
    Abstract: Shown is a portable beverage apparatus. Also shown is a portable single serve beverage brewing apparatus designed to be used in conjunction with various single serve brewing apparatus or by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Alan J. Bornt
  • Patent number: 9433316
    Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (2800) for operating a hot beverage brewer. The methods include receiving a brew basket of a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets (900, 1400, 1800) within a basket chamber (402) of the hot beverage brewer. At least two of the plurality of interchangeable brew baskets are of different brew basket types and designed to hold different amounts of a beverage substance. Thereafter, the hot beverage brewer: automatically detects the brew basket type associated with the brew basket residing within the basket chamber; selects first operations from a plurality of operations that should be performed by the hot beverage brewer based on the brew basket type which was previously detected; and performs the first operations by the hot beverage brewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Augusto A. Picozza, Aaron Abroff, Gary McGonagle, Dov Glucksman, Laura Nickerson
  • Patent number: 9402405
    Abstract: A liquid infusion and/or brewing process is described. The process includes the steps of placing a desired amount of an infusion material into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, placing a desired amount of liquid into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber, wherein said at least one cycle includes reducing pressure within said chamber to form at least a partial vacuum within said chamber and subsequently returning said chamber to about atmospheric pressure. Methods for separating the brewing media from the liquid after completion of the brewing process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bkon LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 9398827
    Abstract: A delivery assembly for a machine for preparing liquids product by means of cartridges includes: an injector device, to let water and/or steam under pressure in the cartridge, an infusion chamber, facing the injector device and capable of receiving one said cartridge, retention element, capable of maintaining the cartridge in a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber and the injector device. The retention elements having: a support element of the cartridge, sustained in a displaceable way by the injector device in a part thereof that generally faces towards the outlet passage; and guiding elements mounted in a fixed position at generally opposite side parts of the injector device, that frontally protrude from the injector device and are capable of laterally constraining the cartridge to guide it until a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bugnano, Alberto Cabilli
  • Patent number: 9394101
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, having a capsule body, which has a capsule bottom and a lid, wherein a cavity for accommodating a powdery or liquid beverage Substrate is formed between the capsule bottom and the lid and wherein a filter element is arranged in the cavity. The invention further relates to a method for producing a portion capsule and the use of the portion capsule to produce a beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Gunter Empl
  • Patent number: 9386782
    Abstract: A method of making coffee is provided. After a cold-brewed coffee is extracted from coffee beans, nitrogen gas is charged into the cold-brewed coffee. The cold-brewed coffee into which nitrogen gas is dissolved, is cooled to form a nitrogen-charged coffee. Therefore, the nitrogen-charged coffee may keep a rich density of foam and a flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: PARIS CROISSANT CO., LTD
    Inventors: You Mei Choi, Youg Jun Choi, Ki Chan Hyun, Hyo Min Kwon
  • Patent number: 9380799
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a coffee extract rich in variety and in which the features of coffee are enhanced. A roasted product prepared by following a step for mixing and roasting coffee beans with at least one material selected from among oolong tea, pu'erh tea, red tea, roses, jasmine, hops, hibiscus, lemon grass, the berries of Japanese pepper, rosemary, vanilla, sugar beets, Kombu, Azuki beans, kidney beans, peas, soy beans, almonds, cashew nuts, chestnuts, pumpkin seeds, sweet chestnuts, walnuts, sesame, sunflower seeds, hazel nuts, pecan nuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, peanuts, rice, barley, malt, buckwheat grains, Job's tears, mandarin orange peels, orange peels, Kabosu peels, grapefruit peels, Sudachi peels, Yuzu peels, lime peels, lemon peels, blueberries, prunes, cherries, Japanese persimmons, pineapple, bananas, grapes, mangoes, peaches, apples, black peppers, chili peppers, sugar cane, ginger, garlic, onions, carrots, burdock roots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: TAKASAGO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonobu Furusho, Tadahiro Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 9375112
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering a beverage including the steps of at least partially filling an extraction chamber with roasted ground coffee, passing an aqueous medium through the extraction chamber to form the beverage and discharging the beverage from the extraction chamber; wherein the roasted ground coffee has a dry Helos particle size distribution D50 of less than or equal to 200 microns; wherein the aqueous medium has a temperature of ° C. to 40° C.; and wherein the flow rate of the aqueous medium through the extraction chamber is 0.5 to 5 mls?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Norton, Andrew Halliday