Patents by Inventor Dean J. Vastardis

Dean J. Vastardis 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).

  • Publication number: 20240049904
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 11825982
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages having a vessel, said vessel having a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20220356421
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 11421192
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20210369043
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 11116354
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages having a vessel, said vessel including a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20200170440
    Abstract: The desired amount of coffee grounds, tea leaves, herbs or other beverage making material is placed in a chamber of glass vessel located on a moveable table top in its lowered position. The table top can be elevated until the upper edge of the vessel seals against a top seal. With the top sealed, the desired amount of water is introduced into the chamber through a port in the top. Thereafter, a vacuum is drawn. Alternatively, the vacuum can be pulsed by turning it on and off several times during the brewing cycle. After the beverage has brewed for the desired amount of time, the vacuum is removed, the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and the table top is lowered to release the vessel. The contents of the chamber are then strained to remove solids from the beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Dean J. Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20190320840
    Abstract: A method and system for vacuum extraction of brewed beverages is described. The process includes the steps of preparing a liquid water or solvent to a desired temperature, combining the liquid water or solvent with a first brewing material in a brewing vessel, removing air from the brewing vessel until a first desired pressure set point is reached, steeping the mixture of the liquid water or solvent and the first brewing material in the brewing vessel for a desired low-pressure steeping time, adding a filler gas to the brewing vessel until a second desired pressure set point is reached, steeping the mixture of the liquid water or solvent and the first brewing material in the brewing vessel for a desired steeping time at atmospheric or high-pressure and directing the liquid water or solvent and the first brewing material through a filtration system to yield a filtered brewed beverage. A system capable of performing these steps is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis, Andrew Rosenbach
  • Publication number: 20190059409
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 10117444
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20180192815
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 9907430
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20180000106
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 9763461
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20160367063
    Abstract: A system for brewing a beverage dependent on the water characteristics of a brewing location is described. The system includes a brewing device, a packaged brewing material having a barcode with encoded information pertaining to at least one brewing parameter, and a database having stored thereon or having access to at least one brewing parameter associated with at least one characteristic of a water composition or TDS of the water used by the brewing device to brew a beverage. A method for providing beverage brewing parameters to a brewing location is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20160242593
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • 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: 9295358
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Bkon LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20150034658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage chiller than can be used to rapidly cool beverages without the need for ice. The present invention also relates to a device for mixing beverages, i.e., a cocktail shaker, that does not require a cap. In one embodiment, the present invention is a lid for a beverage container. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device that can cool a beverage or beverage stream in a continuous, or nearly continuous manner, for example, the output of a coffee or tea brewing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Dean J. Vastardis
  • Publication number: 20150017297
    Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance 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 consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis