Drip Chamber Type Patents (Class 99/306)
  • Patent number: 10820748
    Abstract: An automatic apparatus and method for steeping tea which can (i) precisely and automatically control the temperature of the steeping water and the manner in which the water contacts the tea, (ii) retain the tea in a submerged position in the apparatus below the predetermined steeping level of the steeping water, (iii) optimally determine and control the steeping time, (iv) automatically dispense the steeped syrup when the steeping time and process are complete, (v) automatically notify the user of the status of the process, and (vi) provide and accommodate interchangeable steeping chambers formed of different materials which can be selected to provide optimum results for the particular teas chosen by the user, and to enhance the tea making process, as well as serving a decorative function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Reptura, LLC
    Inventor: Jorge Bolado Garcia
  • Patent number: 10426289
    Abstract: A brewing material holder includes a closed bottom water dispersing member including ports providing streams of water from just under a holder lid bottom, for uniformly dispersing water into the brewing material in the holder. When water is injected into the holder, the flow of water is captured in the water dispersion member and directed up to the ports and sprayed horizontally or vertically into the brewing material, and sinks into brewing material contained in the brewing chamber. The water dispersion member may be attached to the holder lid or be part of the holder lid. A single centered port may be provided in the bottom of the dispensing member provides an additional spray and also helps drain the dispensing member after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 10016088
    Abstract: A cold coffee brewing device is disclosed. A filter basket is provided that can rest at two positions, a first brewing position and a second draining position, the draining position being located above the liquid being brewed to allow the filter basket to drain without further support. The filter basket rests on a first width in the brewing position and on a second width in the draining position. The first and second width can either be formed in to a container for brewing or an adaptor can be provided to create the first and second width on the container. The filter basket has sections that are adapted to rest on the first and second width respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ETERNAL EAST (HK) LTD.
    Inventors: Charles Brian Gross, Derek Tyler Berthold
  • Patent number: 9907425
    Abstract: A reusable brewing cartridge includes a lid having a permanent injection nozzle passage and includes an extraction nozzle pocket permanently open at the top of the cartridge allowing use in a coffee maker configured to puncture a single use disposable cartridge lid with both the injection and extraction nozzles. The cartridge thus avoids puncturing contact with the extraction needle. The reusable brewing cartridge includes at least one passage in a cartridge base allowing brewed drink to escape the reusable brewing cartridge into a coffee container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 9763533
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a brewing vessel having a flexible assembly ring, which includes a vessel body having a brewing space therein and upper and lower openings in communication with the brewing space respectively, a base having a through hole passed therethrough and a ring wall upwardly and protrudingly disposed at a top thereof corresponding to the through hole, a flexible assembly ring capable of being deformed to sleeve onto the ring wall and having a plurality of abutting members disposed along the periphery of the outer surface thereof for watertightly abutting against the inner surface of the lower opening when the bottom of the vessel body is mounted on the top of the base. Thus, the vessel body and the base can be watertightly combined together by the flexible assembly ring, so gaps between the vessel body and the base can be fully filled with precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Ming-Tung Liu
  • Patent number: 9387978
    Abstract: A coffee capsule is provided, the outer dimensions of which are matched to the size of a filtered-coffee capsule, but which has a separating element that separates an empty area from an extraction-material area. Furthermore, at least one liquid channel is provided, which passes through the empty area for example. The liquid channel or liquid channels and the extraction-material area are designed in such a way that water introduced into the capsule at an injection location or a beverage produced in the capsule substantially does not enter the empty area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: QBO COFFEE GMBH
    Inventor: Louis Deuber
  • Patent number: 9060649
    Abstract: An improved tea cup apparatus for facilitating the mixture of a fluid substance and a device to add lose tea or a tea bag in a cup. The apparatus preferably comprises of a built in cup with handle, tea storage and lid. This apparatus combined with a tea infuser is to allow the accessibility to mix water and tea in a cup. The first cylinder section is a cup in which fluid is stored and brewed. The second is a built in infuser for infusing tea into the cup. This devise is designed for the convenience of brewing tea in two step process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Nantec, LLC
    Inventors: Nancy Sproul, Michael Aten
  • Patent number: 8991302
    Abstract: A brew basket for a brewing apparatus includes a splash protection structure to protect against spilling when the brew basket is removed prematurely with hot brewing liquid therein. The structure is a splash reservoir formed near the handle of the brew basket, extending the interior surface of the brew basket radially outward at the site of the compartment where the basket is pulled out of the brewing apparatus. A well or reservoir attenuates a wave of liquid created by pulling the basket out by directing the wave to the reservoir rather than impact the side wall of the basket, where hot liquid would then tend to splash or spill out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Wilbur Curtis Company
    Inventors: Lucian Hite Lyall, III, Christopher Milner Enright
  • Patent number: 8943952
    Abstract: A brewer, system, and method of use for producing and dispensing a beverage. The apparatus, system, and method of use includes a receiver for receiving a brewing substance container. The receiver receives the container, positions it for infusion with heated water, and then positions the container for removal from the receiver. The present apparatus, system, and method minimizes the drive mechanisms associated with the apparatus and improves the control and reliability of the apparatus. The apparatus facilitates collection and dispensing of beverage produced in the receiver and removal of the brewing substance container from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher W. Rahn, James I. Miller
  • Patent number: 8904923
    Abstract: A coffee maker including a base, a filter basket positioned above the base, the filter basket including an outlet, and a drip stop assembly, and a method of using the coffee maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Arren J. McCormick, Ben C. Shao
  • Patent number: 8863987
    Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a waste bin arranged to collect leaked or spilled liquid has a liquid level sensor and can be removed from the beverage forming machine, e.g., to allow disposal of the waste bin contents. One or more electrical contacts on the waste bin can be connected to the level sensor and electrically connect to control circuitry of the beverage forming machine when the waste bin is received by the machine. A liquid level detected by the level sensor may correspond to a fill level that is far less than the maximum volume of the waste bin, allowing beverage production to be prevented unless the waste bin can collect the full volume of a beverage dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Jacobs, Paolino Carnevale
  • Patent number: 8850961
    Abstract: A beverage marker comprises a water reservoir (1) and a beverage extract holder (2) which is adapted to accommodate an amount of beverage extract, whether contained in a filter or not, which is suitable for containing an amount of fluid, which has at least one outlet opening (4) for letting out beverage, and which is arranged at a position for receiving water from an outlet opening (3) of the water reservoir (1). Furthermore, the beverage maker comprises a movably arranged water flow restriction member (6) which is mechanically connected to the beverage extract holder (2), such that an increasing weight of the beverage extract holder (2) causes an increasing restriction of the outlet opening (3) of the water reservoir (1). If so required, the outlet opening (3) of the water reservoir (1) may be completely blocked in order to prevent the beverage extract holder (2) from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Elze Deodaat Hidding
  • Patent number: 8763518
    Abstract: The machine comprises: a bearing structure; a housing (9) for a carafe (11); a water reservoir (33); a heating member (21); a filter containment compartment (37) with a lower opening for discharging the beverage towards an underlying carafe; a conduit (23, 25) for supplying water from the water reservoir to the heating member (21) and from this one to the filter containment compartment. The water reservoir and the filter containment compartment are integrated in a member (17) removable from the bearing structure. The removable member can be inserted in a seat (15) implemented in said bearing structure, above said housing for the carafe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Dario De Pra
  • Patent number: 8757049
    Abstract: Preparation device for a beverage (8), in particular for iced tea, with a lower container (1) for receiving the beverage (8). A starting material (15) for preparing the beverage (8) is received in a receiving structure (3), while a retaining structure (2) secures the receiving structure (3) in the lower container (1). The receiving and retaining structures are moveable relative to each other between a first relative position, in which a liquid (16) residing in the receiving structure (3) cannot exit into the lower container (1), into a second relative position, in which the liquid (16) residing in the receiving structure (3) is allowed to exit into the lower container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Blomus GmbH
    Inventors: Holm Giessler, Frederik Dully
  • Patent number: 8746131
    Abstract: A drip bag having a bag body and a holder which is formed from a sheet material and is adhered to the bag body. The holder is folded into two parts, a front surface and a rear surface, on a center fold line, and the center fold line overlaps a lateral side of the bag body. V-shaped fold lines bent in V-shapes and extending from the open edge of the drip bag toward the bottom direction thereof are formed in regions on the side of the center fold line of the front surface and the rear surface of the holder. In addition, overhanging parts, which have concave portions for hooking, are formed in a manner that allows them to be pulled open on both the left and right sides of the lower end of each of the front surface and the rear surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Saitoh, Naoko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8701549
    Abstract: An improved brewing basket, and receptacles for receiving the basket, collectively forming an improved brewing apparatus. A siphon is received within the receptacle aperture and is covered by a shroud depending from the floor of the basket. The basket is elevated with respect to the receptacle, preferably supported predominantly by the siphon. The apparatus of the invention is quite flexible, and by permitting use of a single basket for loose and filter pack teas, the complexity of manufacturing and sales is reduced. Other advantageous features include a stainless steel insert to assist in containing the siphon within the shroud, retaining tabs within the shroud to help secure the siphon, and one or more, preferably three or more, protrusions extending upwardly from the floor of the basket to assist in keeping any infusion bags from lying flat on the floor of the basket, and thereby to promote infusion. Preferably, the shroud is integral with the basket floor and extends both above and below the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Dominick Mordini, Michael Charles Cirigliano, Lucian Hite Lyall, III, Christopher Milner Enright
  • Publication number: 20140083303
    Abstract: Preparation device for a beverage (8), in particular for iced tea, with a lower container (1) for receiving the beverage (8). A starting material (15) for preparing the beverage (8) is received in a receiving structure (3), while a retaining structure (2) secures the receiving structure (3) in the lower container (1). The receiving and retaining structures are moveable relative to each other between a first relative position, in which a liquid (16) residing in the receiving structure (3) cannot exit into the lower container (1), into a second relative position, in which the liquid (16) residing in the receiving structure (3) is allowed to exit into the lower container (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: BLOMUS GMBH
    Inventors: Holm Giessler, Frederik Dully
  • Patent number: 8640605
    Abstract: Beverage making equipment, water heating equipment, and methods for using such equipment which use heated water and dispenses heated water from a heated water reservoir. The apparatus includes a water line extending from the heated water reservoir to a dispensing point, the line having a positive slope between the reservoir and dispensing point. A vent tube may also be used communicating with and coupled to the line with a return passage communicating with the vent and reservoir. The method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir involves dispensing water from the reservoir at one level and delivering water to a dispensing point at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir. the method may also include providing a vent tube coupled to and communicating with the line for removing gas which evolves from water passing through the line and returning the gas to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: Burton L. Hart
  • Patent number: 8635946
    Abstract: A coffee maker comprises a filter basket assembly that enables two coffee dispensing modes. The assembly comprises a filter basket, an actuator that cooperates with a carafe and a motor driven valve. The actuator stops coffee from dispensing when the carafe is removed, but can be defeated by the user to dispense into a cup or mug when the carafe is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gerard Andrew White, Daniel Serra
  • Patent number: 8613248
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients and an amount of liquid such as water which is supplied to the ingredients, wherein a first ingredient comprises a substance to be extracted such as ground coffee, and a second ingredient comprises a substance such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and such additives, soluble in liquid such as water. During a first period, the liquid having, at most, a first temperature, is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a first beverage part, and, during a second period, the liquid having, at least, a second temperature is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a second beverage part. The first and second beverage parts are combined for obtaining the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jan Steenhof, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 8584576
    Abstract: A portable automatic beverage brewing drinking vessel comprising, an on/off button, a heating element, a receptacle for accepting infusible material, and a means for translating the receptacle through the liquid. The means for translating the receptacle through the liquid includes but is not limited to, an electric motor, and magnets or electromagnets. In one embodiment, a pump transfers the liquid through tubes to the receptacle. The brewing vessel is portable and provides a simple and automatic means for brewing a beverage that can be consumed directly from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Leslie William Fogg, IV
  • Patent number: 8561524
    Abstract: The beverage brewing device is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe. The beverage brewing device includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle defined in the body and extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The at least one outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eko Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald R. DeMiglio, Mark J. Staudacher, Randall C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8555774
    Abstract: A water dispenser is provided which includes a housing for the dispenser, a dispensing area associated with the housing and including a space for receiving a receptacle for receiving a charge of water from the dispenser, a water outlet through which water is dispensed into the dispensing area, and a fixed flange support positioned between the water outlet and the dispensing area arranged to receive a flavor insert device in a substantially horizontally sliding manner. The flavor insert device includes a cup having a flange extending around at least a portion of a periphery of the cup, a porous enclosure located in the cup, and a supply of solid flavor particles contained in the porous enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Jason Robert Yochum, Ginger Elayne Patera
  • Patent number: 8539876
    Abstract: A brew basket with an integrated separate cavity providing for a water bypass or additive conduit all of which may be added to the brewed beverage, as it exists its brew basket discharge spout during a brewing cycle. An integrated separate cavity is provided partially around the perimeter of the brew basket, as along its upper flange, for some angular distance, and which cavity tapers into a downward conduit, which conduit extends under the bottom of the brew basket, and empties into the same discharged port through which the brewed beverage is discharged from the brew basket and into a lower decanter, during performance of a brewing cycle. Additives such as flavoring, sweeteners, and even cold water may pass through the separate cavity, for intermixing with the brewed beverage, in order to add to its flavoring, sweetening, or even cooling, depending upon whether coffee, hot tea, or ice tea, has been selected for the brewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Newco Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Webster, Jody G. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 8528466
    Abstract: The liquid-overflow platform and container device includes a generally horizontal platform for catching overflow liquid from a small appliance, such as a coffee maker, and a container attached beneath the platform that receives the liquid flowing through apertures in the platform. The apertures are less than 10% of the platform area. The platform may be topographically structured to encourage liquid to drain into the apertures, and is larger than the footprint of the appliance. The container is sized to contain more than the liquid capacity of the small appliance. The device is removable from beneath the appliance for carrying to an appropriate place to empty the contents, preferably by tipping the device to drain the liquid through platform corner apertures. The device may be separate from, and not connected to, the appliance, or may be sold as a connected but removable portion of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Bobbi J Sweet, Jeff Graves
  • Patent number: 8485089
    Abstract: A beverage maker that includes a container having a bottom wall, side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to foam a container cavity and a lid. The bottom wall includes a drain opening to enable liquid to drain from the container cavity. The lid is designed to be movable between an open and closed position. The lid forms a cover over a top of the container cavity. The lid includes a filter rib that extends partially into the container cavity when the lid is in a closed position. A drain plug is provided to control a flow of liquid through the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Innovation Direct LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Taylor, Doug Whitner, Brian Sokol, Brian Catlett
  • Patent number: 8479642
    Abstract: A tea pot includes a lower container assembly comprising an internally threaded open top, a releasable bottom, and a diaphragm for dividing space of the lower container assembly into a lower beverage chamber and an upper passage chamber, the diaphragm having holes for communicating the beverage chamber with the passage chamber and an annular flange projecting into the passage chamber; and an upper container assembly comprising an externally threaded lower portion secured to the top of the lower container assembly, a releasable top, a bottom dividing the upper container assembly into upper ingredient chamber and lower passageway chamber, a cylindrical channel integrally formed with the bottom of the upper container assembly and projecting into the passageway chamber, and an annular gasket put on the channel and blocking the holes when the upper and lower container assemblies are threadedly secured together; and a strainer in the ingredient chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Han Tsung Chen, Wei Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 8479644
    Abstract: An assembly structure of a rigid body and an elastic body is provided. The rigid body made of glass or ceramics has a chamber and an opening exposing the chamber. The elastic body made of plastics has an indentation and a through hole inside the indentation. The assembly structure further contains an interface element attached to a bottom side of the chamber and has an extension element corresponding to the opening of the chamber. The interconnection between the rigid and elastic bodies is achieved by joining the extension element with the indentation so that the rigid and elastic bodies could be easily put together and separated. The advantages of the rigid body such as robust to deformation and fine surface finish are thereby combined with the advantages of the elastic body such as easy shaping and assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Ming-Tung Liu
  • Patent number: 8448566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that comprises a hot water tank; a brew basket; a sprayhead for spraying hot water from said water tank to said brew basket in order to brew said brewable substance; a container for storing said freshly brewed liquid concentrate drips from said brew basket; a heat exchanger immersed in hot water inside said water tank for reheating said freshly brewed liquid concentrate when pumped from said container; a source of flavor ingredients preferably packed in disposable bag-in-box; a mixer and whipper for mixing and whipping simultaneously all of the following items: said reheated freshly brewed concentrate discharged from said heat exchanger, said flavor ingredients and hot water from said hot water tank to form a hot freshly brewed beverage mixed with flavored ingredients, filled with air bubbles and with a foamy topping; and a control system for activating said beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Sadeli Rezeki
  • Patent number: 8397628
    Abstract: A dripless brew basket including a brew basket, having an opening provided through its bottom wall, a vacuum breaker sleeve fixedly mounted thereto, the upper part of the vacuum breaker sleeve having apertures or ports provided therethrough, to allow the brewed beverage to flow into the sleeve and be dispensed from the brew basket, during application. A vacuum breaker cap mounts on to the upper end of the sleeve, to act as a fluid levelers for the brewed beverage provided within the basket, during a brewing operation, and once the brewed beverage has been dispensed through the breaker sleeve, it reaches the bottom level of the sleeve ports, thereby preventing an further discharge of fluid from the brew basket, including the elimination of any drippage, in providing for the dripless brew basket of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Newco Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Webster, Jody G. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 8397626
    Abstract: A beverage brewer assembly has a base configured to rest on a surface, an upward facing vessel support, and a tower coupled to and extending up from the base. The tower has a stationary lower section and an upper section vertically height adjustable relative to the lower section. A head is coupled to the upper section of the tower and has a cantilevered section extending forward from the tower and spaced above the vessel support. A height adjust mechanism includes a vertically oriented male threaded shaft interconnecting the upper and lower sections of the tower. Relative rotation between the male threaded shaft and a female threaded element carried on a part of the tower selectively raises and lowers the vertical position of the upper section and head relative to the lower section and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Bernard Winkler
  • Patent number: 8333144
    Abstract: A beverage machine having a height-adjustment device that includes a movable support plate for adjusting the position of the recipient relative to at least one beverage outlet. The support plate is movable relative to the at least one beverage outlet. The machine also includes a displacement mechanism for displacing the support plate relative to the outlet. The displacement mechanism includes a motorized driver for driving the displacement mechanism, a controller for controlling the actuation of the driver and which is configured to set a predetermined distance between the outlet and the recipient. A drip-collecting device can also be selectively provided to collect liquid falling from the beverage outlet when the recipient is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe S. Boussemart, Fabien Ludovic Agon, Antoine Ryser
  • Publication number: 20120186458
    Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a reusable, easy to manufacture and use filter fence for retaining a filter within a filter basket to prevent the same from collapsing inward within a filter basket during a beverage brewing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Helvey
  • Patent number: 8221813
    Abstract: A disposable, single serve, fluid permeable filter configured to substantially conform to the contour of the interior surface of a permanent filter basket used in single serve type beverage brewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: John Leonard Boul
  • Patent number: 8168243
    Abstract: A coffee press grounds removal apparatus for removing coffee grounds or tea leaves from a coffee press machine is provided. The coffee press machine has a plunger apparatus for pressing the coffee grounds or tea leaves within a carafe. The apparatus comprises a basket receivable within the carafe with the basket having an open top, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending in a generally upward direction from the bottom wall toward the open top. A handle is pivotally connected to the basket wherein the basket is completely receivable within the carafe. The basket comprises a configuration substantially mirroring the interior circumference and shape of the carafe in which the basket is seatable wherein as the basket is inserted into the carafe, the basket slidably engages the interior circumference of the carafe such that an outer surface of the side wall of the basket contacts the interior circumference of the carafe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Phyllis Eaton
  • Patent number: 8146486
    Abstract: Provided is a dripper that is light-weight and deformable into an arbitrary shape to be stored compactly and that enables coffee extraction irrespective of the existence of a filter. Provided is a dripper 1 for extracting coffee, including: a filter portion 10 that is formed from fabric with permeability and that includes an opening 11 through which coffee powder can be added and a receiving portion 12 that receives the coffee powder added through the opening 11; and a frame 50 that is made of an super-elastic alloy and can define the respective shapes of the opening 11 and the receiving portion 12 in the filter portion 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mont-Bell Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 8127663
    Abstract: Apparatus for brewing a brew substance with a liquid comprises: a container for storing the liquid, the container including at least one aperture for dispensing liquid therefrom; a sealed packet of filter paper containing the brew substance; and a layer of heat sensitive film encapsulating the sealed packet, the encapsulated packet disposed within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture, the container configured to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nottingham Spirk Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John Spirk, Marc L. Vitantonio, Jeffrey Kalman, Kenneth Wulff
  • Patent number: 8101222
    Abstract: A drinking container for decanting, filtering, mixing and/or aerating a beverage. The drinking container comprises a bowl having an upper opening and an aerating cell having a wall, an upper opening along the top of the cell and a plurality of openings or perforations through the wall. The cup-shaped cell has an upwardly facing hollow or concave configuration, optionally with a central upwardly extending protrusion, and is attached to and within the bowl, to decant, filter, mix and/or aerate a beverage that is poured through the bowl upper opening and into the cell upper opening, and subsequently flows through the at least one perforation into the bowl. Preferably, the drinking container is a wine glass having a base and stem supporting the bowl and the beverage is wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Chevalier Collection, Ltd.
    Inventors: James R Burroughs, Dillon Burroughs, Ken Benson, Ed Gilchrest
  • Publication number: 20120012009
    Abstract: The machine comprises: a bearing structure; a housing (9) for a carafe (11); a water reservoir (33); a heating member (21); a filter containment compartment (37) with a lower opening for discharging the beverage towards an underlying carafe; a conduit (23, 25) for supplying water from the water reservoir to the heating member (21) and from this one to the filter containment compartment. The water reservoir and the filter containment compartment are integrated in a member (17) removable from the bearing structure. The removable member can be inserted in a seat (15) implemented in said bearing structure, above said housing for the carafe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Dario De Pra
  • Patent number: 8091470
    Abstract: A machine for filtered coffee, having an upper body, inside which a filter-carrier for the coffee and a tank for the water are housed, both accessible through a window. The machine comprises a shutter able to be moved slidingly with respect to said upper body between an open condition and a closed condition of said window and vice versa, so as to selectively allow complete frontal access to said filter-carrier and to said tank, through said window, leaving free frontal access to the filter-carrier and to the water tank. The machine further comprises a pivoting opening which opens frontally with respect to a user and allows access to said tank, when said shutter is in the open condition, for conveying water to the tank without moving said tank from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: De'Longhi SpA
    Inventor: Giuseppe De'Longhi
  • Patent number: 8061263
    Abstract: A sensor head/brew cup with liquid level sensor probes which rotate down into the server to avoid damage to the probes by the server. The sensor head/brew cup moves as a unit, thereby eliminating any gap between the brew cup and the sensor head through which the brewed liquid must pour, thereby preventing spillage. The moveable sensor head/brew allows beverage brewing devices to use servers of various heights. Raising the sensor head/brew cup causes the level sensor probes to rotate upward out of the server, thereby protecting the probes from impact by the server when it is removed from the brewing device. When the level sensor probes are in the upward position they touch electrical contacts completing a self-test circuit confirming electrical continuity through the level sensor probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Gary Ray Hannah, Richard William Heim
  • Patent number: 8051767
    Abstract: A conic funnel integrally connected to a supporting planar platform in combination with an essentially flat disposable filter that is transformed into a three-dimensional conic configuration disposed to be inserted into the conic funnel. The apex of the conic funnel is truncated and projected through a first circular orifice at the approximate center of the supporting planar platform such that an effluent is focused into a receiving vessel upon which the supporting planar platform is placed. A second orifice vents air displaced by the effluent. A tab-like member and/or handle are used to hold or hang the apparatus. The apparatus has special applications for brewing beverages such as coffee by using nonproprietary nonpreformed low-cost generic circular paper filters such as those used in consumer coffeemakers as well as eliminating auxiliary laboratory equipment needed to vertically hold Buchner type funnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Jack Gerber
  • Patent number: 8033212
    Abstract: A composite strainer pot has a base, a container mounted on the base, a connecting dish combining the base and the container, a filter assembly mounted in the container and a valve assembly mounted between the base and the container. The container that is usually filled with hot water can be made with glass to maintain the quality and the lifespan. The base that is placed on a table or the like can be made with plastic to reduce the cost and is not easily damaged. Therefore, the strainer pot is durable and has a prolonged useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Tung Liu
  • Patent number: 8006612
    Abstract: A hot drink maker is provided. The hot drink maker includes a heating device for making various hot drinks. The heating device can be set in advance with a desired temperature and time for making a hot drink so that the heating device heats water to the desired temperature and pumps the heated water into a steeping space in which a bag containing a raw material of the hot drink is placed. When the set time is up, a cam is driven to rotate, thereby pushing a pushing rod upward. Consequently, a seesaw element resiliently engaged with a plug rod at an end of an outlet of a steeping chamber is tilted so as to discharge a finished hot drink prepared by steeping into an adjacent pitcher along the lowered plug rod, and thus the hot drink is made conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 8001885
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and kit for use with a beverage producing device. Included are a fitting and an insulating tube for insulating water being introduced into a heated water tank from heated water retained in the tank. Use of an insulating tube helps to reduce the heat transfer between the heated water retained in the tank and the water being introduced to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Randy D. Pope, John Roth
  • Patent number: 7997186
    Abstract: A beverage maker assembly includes an outer cup and an inner cup which is removably received in the outer cup. A filtering unit is received in the inner cup and communicates with a drain hole defined in a bottom of the inner cup so that the beverage can flow to the outer cup. A cover is pivotably connected to a handle of the outer cup and has an operation portion extending radially from a periphery thereof. A pivotal portion extends from the operation portion and has an elongate hole. The pivotal portion is movably engaged with a recess defined in the handle by extending a pin through the handle and the elongate hole to pivotably connect the cover to the handle. The cover is easily opened and closed relative to the outer cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Chun-Lan Shen Ku
  • Patent number: 7926414
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a manual drip coffee cone from sheet material is comprised of three general steps: In the first step, a conical body 1 is formed from sheet material in the shape of a truncated cone to hold a coffee filter. The base of the conical body 1 forms a drip ring 2, which directs dripping coffee into a receiving vessel and prevents the cone from slipping off the vessel. In the second step, a drip plate 3, having at least one drip hole 4, is fixed to the inside of the conical body 1, near the drip ring 2, to form a drip plate 3 at a short height above the drip ring 2 to provide maximum headspace for effective drip filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Justine Marie Wolcott, William Mark Wolcott
  • Publication number: 20110041703
    Abstract: A drip-style coffee maker includes a stand, a frame projected from the stand and a brewing device on the frame. The brewing device includes a hot water pipe having a spout, a brewing container under the spout of the hot water pipe, and a spray member connected to the spout of the hot water pipe. The spray member has a bottom plate and a plurality of apertures distributed on the bottom plate. A diameter of the spray member is equal to or greater than 45% of a maximum diameter of the brewing container that coffee grounds received in the brewing container maybe brewed in a consistent brewing condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: REBECCA LIN INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: HSUEH-YU LIN
  • Patent number: 7886655
    Abstract: An insulated brew basket assembly (12) having a metallic brew basket body (54) with an external surface covering non-metallic, insulating material (62) having a heat conductivity characteristic that is significantly less than that of the metal of the basket body (54), such as an insulating coating adhered to the inside, the outside or both the inside and the outside of the surrounding wall, an internal insulating liner fixedly or releasably attached to the surrounding wall at the inside or a releasably or permanently attached insulating jacket covering the outside of the surrounding side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Publication number: 20110005400
    Abstract: Provided is a coffee making kettle using Venturi, including a kettle body having a bottom forming a through opening and defining a first chamber and a second chamber. The opening has an upper circumference from which two opposite inclined surfaces extend upward. Top edges of the inclined surfaces form a circular opening. The first chamber is located above the second chamber and is greater in volume than the second chamber. The second chamber is in communication with the through opening. When a paper filter that contains an object-to-be-brewed (such as coffee powders) is positioned in the kettle body and liquid (such as hot water) is added, the liquid is filtered by the paper filter and is guided by the inclined surfaces into the second chamber, so that the brewing liquid is subjected to the effect of Venturi to induce a pressure difference and increase of flowing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: PAO-WU TIEN, Yu-Mei TIEN LIN