Abstract: A reusable beverage filter such as used in brewing coffee, the filter having an upper portion and a lower portion, a sieve portion between the upper and lower portions, the upper portion having a flexible portion with a plurality of undulations formed therein such that the filter may fit different size brewing baskets.

Abstract: Device and method for brewing coffee comprises a body connected to a container for allowing the formation of a dispersion of flavor-containing materials and liquid and the extraction of the flavor-containing materials to produce a liquid extraction, a porous filter connected to the body and having a first surface for contacting the dispersion, filtration openings for allowing the liquid extraction in the dispersion to pass through but blocking the flavor-containing materials and a second surface for receiving the liquid extraction, and a flow facilitator having a selective opening adapted to allow air to pass through but restrict the flavor-containing materials from passing through. The body and porous filter are adapted to allow the container to be tilted to generate a liquid head to act on the first surface of porous filter to drive the liquid extraction through the porous filter to produce a beverage.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for brewing a beverage. The apparatus has a brew funnel with an elevation device that enables the end user to brew beverage, hot or cold, with a filter and loose beverage precursor and with beverage precursor packaged within a filter pack.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge includes a cup-shaped outer container with a bottom and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to a circular rim surrounding an upper opening. The side wall has an upper section extending downwardly from the rim to an intermediate section, and a tapered lower section configured to provide a plurality of circumferentially spaced flutes extending downwardly from the intermediate section to the bottom wall. A filter element subdivides the interior of the container into first and second chambers. A beverage medium is stored in the first chamber. A cover is joined to the side wall at the rim to close the upper opening. The cover is yieldably piercable to accommodate an injection of liquid into the first chamber for combination with the beverage medium to produce a beverage.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge comprises an outer container with an access opening. A filter element is received in and configured and arranged to subdivide the interior of the container into first and second chambers. A beverage medium is stored in the first chamber. A lid closes the access opening. The lid has a first section overlying the first chamber and a second section overlying the second chamber. The first section of the lid is yieldably piercable to accommodate an inflow of liquid into the first chamber for infusion with the beverage medium to produce a beverage. The filter element is permeable to accommodate a flow of the beverage from the first chamber into the second chamber, and the second section of the lid is yieldably piercable to accommodate an outflow of the beverage from the second chamber to the exterior of the cartridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring ground coffee, brewing coffee and producing a foam layer on the brewed coffee that includes an elongated handle and a bowl shaped housing fixed to one axial extremity of the handle. The housing has an open top and open bottom. A cover is dimensioned and configured for sealing engagement with the open top. The cover is movable between a position that covers the open top and a second position in which the cover does not cover the open top. A porous mesh is dimensioned and configured for sealing engagement with the open bottom. A plate is dimensioned and configured for sealing engagement with the porous mesh and the plate has an aperture therein dimensioned and configured to control the pressure and velocity of coffee to thereby generate foam on the coffee brewed by the apparatus. A lower housing is dimensioned and configured for sealing engagement with the plate. The lower housing has at least one aperture for directing the flow of brewed coffee to an associated cup.

Abstract: A disposable infuser for brewing beverages within an associated container. The infuser includes a centrally located well portion for receiving a charge of particulate flavoring material, like tea leaves. The well includes a filter portion which has a plurality of openings. The openings are formed without scrap “flash” or waste by shearing a tab or flap of material away from the filter portion of the well or piercing the filter portion of the well with a needle-shaped or knife-shaped protrusion in the mold. The resulting tabs or punctures serve to keep the particulate flavoring material out of the brewed beverage.

Abstract: The device for brewing beverages includes a brewing receptacle (1) and an associated brewing sieve (2) in the form of a porous holder (2) for the material requiring brewing (7). It has mechanical-hydraulic device for automatically and adjustably ending the brewing process. This device includes a holder (2), which has a lighter specific weight than water, and can be introduced into brewing receptacle (1), as well as a weighing-down element (11), by way of which holder (2) for the material requiring brewing (7) can be kept submerged in the brewing liquid (9) in the brewing receptacle (1) for a pre-set length of time. The weighing-down element (11) includes of an upwardly open container (28) filled with water, which rests on holder (2) and has an opening (29) at the bottom through which the water (30) in the weighing-down element can flow into insert ring (3).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a low acid food product. The low acid food product is first acidified to produce an acidified food product and then packaged as the acidified food product. The acidifying step comprises addition of a GRAS acid to adjust the pH to below about 4.5. The acidified food product is then deacidified to return the acidified food product to the low acid food product having a pH above 4.6. The deacidification is accomplished through the addition of an alkaline substance in an amount sufficient to deacidify the acidified food product to a pH of from about 5.8 to about 7.5.

Abstract: A hot drink steeping pot includes a jug (10), a strainer (12) pivotally receivable in the jug (10), and a cover (13) mounted on the jug (10), such that the strainer (12) is enclosed. With the cover (13) removed from the jug (10), flavoring agent is stored in the strainer (12) in its lowered position. To remove the flavoring agent, the user rotates the tabs (1266) such that the strainer (12) is moved to the raised position, and excess fluid can drain from the flavoring agent into the jug (10). The combined cover (13) and strainer (12) can be removed from the jug (10) and inverted such that no dripping or falling of flavoring agent onto clothes or carpets can occur, and the flavoring agent can be conveniently discarded.

Abstract: A system for brewing a beverage from a liquid. The system preferably comprises a device for steeping brewing ingredients in a liquid. The liquid is delivered to the steeping device through a contaminant removing device, such as a filter. The contaminant removing device is alternatively disposed, by way of a positioning device, either between the liquid supply and the steeping device or in a position wherein the contaminant removing device can be dried, cleaned, or replaced. A method of using such a system is also provided.

Abstract: A device for preparing coffee or tea or milk or the like includes a container slidably received in a receptacle for receiving the tea leaves or the coffee beans and/or the coffee grounds to be made. A float is attached to the bottom portion of the container for floating the container and for disengaging the tea leaves or the coffee beans and/or the coffee grounds from the fluid or the beverage in the receptacle. A latch is pivotally secured to the receptacle and includes a tongue for engaging with and for positioning the container relative to the receptacle.

Abstract: A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function includes a main body equipped with a heater; a heating vessel; a support plate for allowing a to-be-boiled object to be placed above the surface of the water stored in the heating vessel; a water supply for supplying water for boiling into the heating vessel so that the to-be-object is immersed; a steam collector for gathering stream produced when the to-be-boiled object is decocted with water; a condenser for condensing the steam collected into the steam collector; and a stream/condensed water guide for leading the steam present in the heating vessel to the steam collector and the condensed water placed in the steam collector to the heating vessel. With such construction, undried or white ginseng can become red ginseng extract by producing such useful components as several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, anti-oxidants, and ginsenosides Rg and Rh through steam-boiling, drying and re-boiling.

Abstract: A cartridge for a compressible bottle containing a liquid. The cartridge comprises a housing attachable to the bottle and a collapsible bag. The housing and the bag together form an interior which contains a concentrate such as a drink mix. A transfer mechanism is provided whereby the liquid is pumped from the bottle into the cartridge by repeatedly compressing the bottle. As liquid is transferred into the cartridge, the bag expands within the bottle. In the preferred embodiment, the transfer mechanism is provided as part of the cartridge and the cartridge may be sized to fit a standard water bottle. In an alternate embodiment, the transfer mechanism is provided as part of a special bottle.

Abstract: A Coffee-making container including a main body in which a mesh rack is disposed. The center of the bottom of the main body is formed with a draining hole which is opened and closed under control of a controlling mechanism. The main body has a handle and a cap is pivotally connected with the handle for closing the opening of the main body. The mesh rack has at least one upward extending upright section for enlarging the filtering area for the coffee. A switch member is pivotally connected with the pivot sections of the handle and the cap. The switch member is leant against a leaf spring extending from the handle and controlled by the leaf spring. When the switch member is pressed down, the switch member is engaged with and located by the leaf spring and the press rod is pressed down to open the draining hole of the main body. Therefore, the coffee can quickly filter through the mesh rack and the upright section thereof and flow out from the draining hole.

Abstract: A safety and drain-preventing infusing tea maker comprises a cup body, a stop, a filtering net, and a retaining plate. The stop and the filtering net are contained in the penetrating hole at the bottom of the cup body. A plurality of leg plates extend downwards from the bottom thereof and a mask is formed at the periphery thereof so that the retaining plate having through hole for being penetrated by the leg plate can be hidden in the mask to be moved therein. When the retaining plate is descended to a lowest position, it is lower then the lower rim of the mask and protrudes slightly therefrom without being lower than the lower ends of the leg plates. As a consequent, not only the retaining plate is covered by the mask for preventing an error contact, but also any container with a diameter smaller than that of the retaining plate can be used for containing the infusing tea maker.

Abstract: According to the invention the tea strainer and propeller of a stirrer are arranged in the tea-preparation chamber in a cooperating manner in such a way that the water flow minimizes the tea-brewing time. A tea-making machine fitted with such a tea-preparation chamber makes it possible for the first time to prepare any kind of tea automatically and very quickly.

Abstract: A lid for covering an associated beverage container has a separate cover piece with an infuser unit attached to the cover piece. The lid attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a central opening. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the opening into the associated container. The cover piece with the infuser unit is placed over the central opening of the lid. Heated water in the beverage container then circulates between the inside and outside of the infuser unit to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. The cover piece can be made of paper and printed with graphics and text.

Abstract: A disposable drip-type coffee brewing unit for making individual servings of freshly brewed coffee.

Abstract: An automatic tea brewing system and method comprising a tea brewer with a water discharge hole at the its lower end, a mesh filter above the tea water discharge hole, and a teapot positioned to receive brewed tea discharged from the water discharge hole. The tea brewer and the water discharge hole are configured and sized to allow holding a certain amount of water flowing naturally through the water discharge hole in a predetermined amount of time, thereby automatically controlling the manner and rate of tea brewing. The mesh filter is of basket or disk shape, and is removable or non-removable. An optional lid or saucer may be added to the system as separate units, shaped and sized to fit with the tea brewer and teapot.

Abstract: A machine for brewing tea, particularly in a shoc situation. The machine has a housing and at least one brewing assembly. The brewing assembly is formed to hold a brewing cup that has a filter that defines and separates a first cavity within the brewing cup for containing tea leaves and a second cavity from which tea leaves are excluded. The housing has a water supply that supplies a predetermined volume of water at a temperature that is suitable for infusing tea leaves. It also has a water supply channel for delivering the water into the first cavity of the brewing cup, and a siphon tube that has a siphoning end that extends orthogonally upward into the second cavity of the brewing cup and a downward projecting dispensing end.

Abstract: With respect to a filter with a fastening device for a coffee-making apparatus of the type where water is brought to a boil in a closed container, whereupon the water is pressed through a riser pipe into a funnel, where boiling water extracts aromas and flavour from the ground coffee, whereupon the finished coffee beverage is filtered back into the closed container through a filter placed at the outlet of the funnel, where the filter is fastened by means of a fastening device which reaches through the riser pipe, the objective is to provide a filter where the aroma and flavour of the ground coffee is exploited as well as possible and where the filter offers a comparatively large filter surface for the finished coffee, and where the filter can easily be removed from the funnel and cleaned with a view to further coffee-making. Moreover, the filter must be easily replaceable by dismantling the handle and locking clip and fitting these on a new filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking system having a conventional style pot with a multi-function reversible top. The system comprises two pieces, a pot and top (with a lid), that can be used individually and collectively to function as a cooking pot, colander, steamer and strainer. The pot functions by itself as a conventional cooking pot. The top functions by itself right-side-up as a colander. The pot and top with a lid functions as a steamer. And, the top, when positioned up-side-down on top of the pot, functions as a strainer. When used as a strainer, the top and pot preferably have engaging handles that allow the top and pot to be held together with one hand, to help avoid dropping food and steam burns.

Abstract: A double boiler for domestic use includes a heating vessel for receiving water and a filtering device containing food, the vessel having a lid on the top; a main case having a reception hollow and a heater at one side so that the heating vessel is mounted and heated; a steam condenser incorporated in the top end of the main case so that steam produced from the heating vessel is collected; steam cooling device for circulating cooling water along the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the steam condenser so that the steam collected in the steam condenser becomes cooled; and a condensed water collecting device for receiving the heating vessel to the hollow of the main case and at the same time connecting the heating vessel and steam condenser so that the condensed water condensed in the steam condenser is gathered into the heating vessel.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus is provided including a housing with a water inlet channel, a heater to heat water delivered through the channel and a water dispenser within the housing for providing a spray of hot water to a brewing pot. The brewing pot is releasably attachable to the housing and includes a filter receptacle positioned to receive the spray of water and outlet aperture for allowing brewed tea to exit. A filter basket for containing the tea leaves is lodged within the filter receptacle. The basket has a base with a wire mesh screen and an integrally formed non-porous siphon shroud projecting upwardly from a central area of the floor base, the shroud being closed at the top while open at the bottom. A siphoning tube is lodged within the aperture of the filter receptacle and open at both ends. When nested, the siphon shroud surrounds the siphoning tube to create a siphon arrangement for continuously removing tea extract fluid from the filter basket.

Abstract: A removable filter compartment is filled with coffee grounds, tea, or other espresso particulate substance and mounted within a water reservoir. Water is placed in the water reservoir. A bottom cover is connected to the water reservoir to hold the filter compartment in place. Lower and upper filters are formed into the filter compartment. The lower filter may include a slotted flow distribution port extending into the interior of the filter compartment to improve the distribution of water flow. A cup-like filtrate reservoir is integrally molded to the water reservoir. A filtrate passage forms a fluid path between the filter compartment and the filtrate reservoir. A resilient gasket or valve is positioned between the filter compartment and filtrate passage. A filtrate splash cover may be attached to the upper edges of the filtrate reservoir. The assembled beverage maker is placed into a microwave oven.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge includes an impermeable yieldably pierceable base having a predetermined shape and an access opening at one end. A self-supporting wettable filter element is disposed in the base and is permanently sealed to an interior surface of the base. The filter element subdivides the base into first and second chambers, a first chamber for storing an extract of the beverage to be made, and a second empty chamber for accessing the beverage after the beverage outflow from the filter has been made by combining a liquid with the extract. An impermeable, yieldably pierceable, imperforate cover is sealingly engaged with the top of the base to form an impermeable cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new coffeemaker with a permanent filter that is composed of a tank, whose bottom is perforated small holes, this tank is attached to an infusion chamber provided with a support, the set resting on a container or a mug. The rate of the boiling water flow is controlled by the small holes of the tank bottom. A chimney located within the tank allows the infusion gases to escape from the infusion chamber. The flow of the infused water is done through a permanent filter at the bottom of the infusion chamber The support is a flange that has a plurality of holes allowing the vapor to escape from the mug and, also giving the possibility for the user to see the level of the infused water in the same mug.

Abstract: The invention relates to an infusion vessel, the vessel having a separate beverage containing chamber, an infusion chamber integrally formed along side of the beverage chamber, the infusion chamber being defined by a perforated wall which extends a distance within the beverage chamber and a closed bottom wall. An infusion product within the infusion chamber will be in fluid communication with the beverage chamber for the production of a beverage.

Abstract: A tea maker structure is disclosed. It includes a percolator cup as an upper layer of the tea maker and a tea cup as a lower layer of the tea maker. A bottom of the percolator cup is formed with a water outlet communicating with the tea cup. A filter mesh is disposed above the water outlet to prevent tea grounds from blocking the water outlet. The opening/closing of the water outlet is controlled by a controlling mechanism coaxially disposed in the percolator cup, whereby the tea can flow into the tea cup with the tea grounds remaining in the percolator cup. Also, this tea maker is prevented from falling down due to improper application.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a way to engage a used concentrate packet such as a tea bag in a drink container in which a liquid product was made from the concentrate without removing the packet from the container and without having to directly contact the packet. Thus, one need not wet his or her fingers or anything in the area of the container, and the used packet when engaged will not interfere with drinking of the liquid product. The packet is also isolated from the interior of the drink container to inhibit further infusion or dissolving of any concentrate remaining in the packet, thereby to control the strength or concentration of the liquid product without having to remove the packet from the container. In the preferred embodiment the holder defines a compartment into which the used packet may be moved to isolate the packet from the interior of the drink container so as to inhibit further concentrating the liquid product from any concentrate in the packet.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a coffee cup and in particular to a cup set having three different layers, where the first layer is a cup-like container having a filter formed therein, and the second layer is a coffee cup being used to receive the filtered coffee, the third layer is a base formed beneath the second layer which is supported by the same.

Abstract: A filter insert for containers, such as tea pots, where a specific dwelling time is required for the filter pulp in the liquid held in the container, the insert consisting of a circular cylindrical filter unit, extending downwards from the top of the container at to least below the surface of the liquid in the container when being filled, and where at least one plunger shaft with a plunger sliding in a plunger guide extends axially through the upper part of the insert.

Abstract: A teapot or other beverage vessel has an internal rim at the top supporting a filter cup which grips onto the rim. A magnetic lid fits onto the rim of the filter cup. Tea leaves and other particles are thus confined within the filter cup and the lid is held magnetically in place.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge includes an impermeable pierceable base having a predetermined shape and an opening at one end; a self-supporting wettable filter element disposed in the base sealingly engages with the opening in the base and has a form different and smaller than the predetermined shape of the base so that the filter element diverges from the base and divides the base into two sealed chambers, a first chamber for storing an extract of the beverage to be made, and a second empty chamber for accessing the beverage after the beverage outflow from the filter has been made by combining a liquid with the extract; and an impermeable pierceable cover sealingly engaged with the opening in the base to form an impermeable cartridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing coffee having a heating compartment provided with water at various predetermined levels depending upon the number of cups of brewed coffee desired. A U-shaped syphon tube is provided in the heating compartment and is arranged so that the water level in the heating compartment is always below the top of the bight portion of the tube prior to being heated to a predetermined temperature. When the pressure within the heating compartment reaches a predetermined discharging value, water at the proper temperature in the heating compartment is caused to discharge through the syphon tube and out of the compartment. A pressure vent, having an orifice exposed to the pressure within the heating compartment, serves to delay the attainment of the discharging pressure until the water reaches the proper temperature.

Abstract: An electric coffee or tea making machine wherein the housing resembles a carafe and has an annular outer chamber for hot beverage and a centrally located chamber for a body of water. The centrally located chamber is located above a heating unit, such as a standard electric resistance heater, a halogen lamp or a heater with one or more thick film conductors, and the heated liquid flows upwardly through a riser to be distributed over a supply of comminuted coffee beans or tea leaves in a removable filtering unit which has an outlet for admission of freshly brewed coffee or tea into the outer chamber. A cover above the filtering unit is threadedly connected to the upper end of the housing to ensure that the interior of the housing can be maintained well above atmospheric pressure without risking escape of hot water or steam. The device for uniformly distributing heated water in the filtering unit can constitute a nozzle or a foraminous top wall above the supply of flavoring agent.

Abstract: Beverage brewing funnel combination for supporting scrunchable disposable filters in either their non-scrunched full or normal capacity condition or in a scrunched reduced-capacity condition. The combination is formed by a funnel and a removable skeleton-like insert. The interior bottom surface of the funnel is inclined or dished toward a drain aperture and has a plurality of upstanding ribs which maintain a wet disposable filter out of adhering contact with the bottom surface when the funnel is used without the removable insert to support a disposable filter in its non-scrunched condition. When the insert is nested within the funnel it supports the disposable filters in their scrunched condition and preferably out of contact with the bottom surface of the funnel as well as the sidewall surface thereof.

Abstract: A glass pot for decocting Chinese herbs or tea comprising a glass pot body and a metal bottom. The pot also comprises a small container received in the interior of the pot body, said container including a glass container body and a metal bottom having a plurality of holes. The container is covered by a lid having a rim. A steam condenser is mounted on the upper end of pot body to condense the steam discharged from the pot into water.

Abstract: Liquid beverage equipment for producing a consumable liquid beverage or a liquid beverage concentrate which can be mixed with a liquid diluent such as water to form a consumable beverage. The equipment includes a container for receiving a quantity of liquid such as lot water and a removable receptacle having a quantity of flavor imparting material therein with the receptacle being constructed to enable direct contact between the liquid and the flavor imparting material to form a liquid beverage which then can be removed from the container. The receptacle and depleted flavor imparting material are then removed from the container for disposal of the depleted flavor imparting material. The liquid fills the container to a predetermined level to remain in contact with the flavor imparting material for a predetermined time period before draining the liquid from the container.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a coffeemaker with a variable brew strength apparatus which comprises a base which contains a water reservoir and a heater and which supports a coffee carafe. The base supports a variable brew strength apparatus directly over the coffee carafe. The variable brew strength apparatus includes a water restrictor member which is rotably mounted on the cover of a coffee basket member. The water restrictor member and the coffee basket member, in combination, form a valve which either admits heated water to an inner basket which is mounted in the coffee basket and which contains ground coffee, or causes a portion of the heated water to bypass the inner basket and enter the coffee basket to mix with and dilute coffee brewed in the inner basket. The coffee basket supports a special coffee scoop which has a tabular indicia relating the number of cups of coffee desired, the brew strength desired, and the number of scoops of coffee required.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a teapot and a cover therefor. The cover is hollow and radiused at the top tapering to a slightly larger radius at the bottom. The hollow cover is sufficiently large and operates as a food warmer when the perforated disc is placed across the opening of the tea making chamber. The perforated disc allows the penetration of steam into the hollow cover of the teapot creating a food warmer, thus conserving energy by making use of otherwise unused steam. The teapot having a removable circular band, with attached teabag holders, which fits within the interior of the tea making chamber is of a size slightly less than the interior diameter of the tea making chamber and allows for use of the standard teabag without the string and label being attached, thus eliminating the teabag string from falling into the infusing substance during the infusing process and further eliminating the dangers of the teabag label coming in direct contact with the heating source.

Abstract: A funnel-shaped receptacle is temporarily positioned on the top of a coffee-making machine with its bottom outlet positioned to discharge into the heater tank of the machine. The interior of the receptacle is spanned by a disposable activated carbon filter and below the filter is a container of screen material filled with soluble phosphate granules. Replenishing water poured through the receptacle is first purified by the filter and is then treated with the dissolved phosphate to prevent calcium formation and corrosion in the heater tank.