CA2902943A1 - Method of and apparatus for brewing a beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of brewing a beverage comprises readying a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior; introducing an aliquot of brewable matter into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; introducing an aliquot of water into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; wherein the brewable matter and the water combine together for subsequent brewing, sealing the sealable container with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings; pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from the brewable matter and the water;
subsequent to the brewed beverage being created, de-pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; and permitting the removal of at least a portion of the brewed beverage from the sealable container for consumption.

Description

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BREWING A BEVERAGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to methods of brewing beverages, and to apparatuses for brewing beverages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Coffee is a beverage that is universally consumed in staggeringly large quantities - throughout the world every day. Most coffee is brewed using heated water that is at a temperature of between about eighty (80) degrees centigrade and about one-hundred (100) degrees centigrade. Recently, cold brewed coffee has become increasingly popular.

[0003] Known prior art cold brew coffee systems are designed to brew a cold brew concentrate that is typically diluted to a desired coffee to water ratio to produce the actual consumed coffee beverage.

[0004] One such prior art system is known as the Toddy Cold Brew System. This cold brew system is suitable for brewing coffee or tea, and has a small plastic brewing container with an open top and an outlet in the bottom. The brewing container is placed over the open top of a carafe. In use, a stopper is I

put in place to block an egress opening in the bottom of the brewing container. A dampened filter is placed in the bottom of the brewing container over the egress opening such that coffee or tea that is brewed ultimately passes through the filter before it egresses from the brewing container through the egress opening. Water and coffee or tea are added into the brewing container. The coffee or tea are brewed for twelve (12) to eighteen (18) hours. Once the coffee or tea are brewed, the stopper is removed to permit the brewed coffee or tea to pass through the filter and egress into the carafe through the egress opening.

[0005] Another such prior art system is known as the Yama Cold Brew Drip Tower. This cold brew system comprises a three-stage tower. The top stage includes a chamber that receives water and ice. A bottom drip valve gravity feeds into chamber in the middle stage, which contains coffee grounds.
Water passes through the coffee grounds and egresses the middle chamber through a filtered bottom opening. The brewed coffee drips into a carafe located in the bottom stage.

[0006] These known cold brew systems are designed to brew a cold brew concentrate, as mentioned previously. This is accomplished by adjusting the ratio of coffee and water to produce a stronger product. Typically, a ratio of about 8:1 water to coffee is used.

[0007] One significant problem with both of these brewing systems is that they produce a cold brew coffee that has an oxidized flavor, which is highly undesirable.

[0008] Another such prior art system is taught in United States Patent No.
8,720,321 issued May 13, 2014, to Neace Jr. eta!, and entitled Apparatus For Extracting Cold-Brewed Coffee Concentrate. This hourglass shaped apparatus for cold brewing coffee comprises a brew chamber, an extract chamber and a middle unit connecting the brew and extract chambers. The extract and brew chambers comprise two ends of the hourglass shaped middle unit. The brew chamber houses a free-standing self-contained filter containing coffee grounds inside a water-permeable barrier. Water is poured into the brew chamber to generate coffee extract through cold water infusion. After the brewing process, the apparatus is inverted, and the coffee travels into the extract chamber through the middle unit for dispensing.

[0009] Another such prior art system is taught in United States Published Patent Application No.
US2014/0178559, published June 26, 2014, to Neace Jr., and entitled Cold-Brewed Instant Coffee.
Methods of preparing instant coffee are taught. One such method includes adding water having a temperature of less than 117 F. to ground coffee beans to result in a slurry with liquid and solid components. The slurry is maintained at a temperature below 117 F. for at least one hour, thereby separating the liquid component of the slurry from the solid component, to yield a liquid coffee extract. The liquid coffee extract is subjected to a drying process to remove water from the liquid coffee extract, to yield a solid coffee extract which can be used as an instant coffee.

[00010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of and apparatus for brewing a beverage that produces brewed drinks without an oxidized flavor.

i SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel method of brewing a beverage, the method comprising the steps of readying a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior; introducing an aliquot of brewable matter into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; introducing an aliquot of water into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; wherein the brewable matter and the water combine together for subsequent brewing; sealing the sealable container with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings; pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from the brewable matter and the water;
subsequent to the brewed beverage being created, de-pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; and permitting the removal of at least a portion of the brewed beverage from the sealable container for consumption.

[00012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel beverage brewed by a method comprising the steps of readying a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior; introducing an aliquot of brewable matter into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; introducing an aliquot of water into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container;
wherein the brewable matter and the water combine together for subsequent brewing; sealing the sealable container with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings;

pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from the brewable matter and the water; subsequent to the brewed beverage being created, de-pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; and permitting the removal of at least a portion of the brewed beverage from the sealable container for consumption.

[00013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel apparatus for brewing a beverage, the apparatus comprising a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior and at least one beverage opening; wherein the sealable container is sealable with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings; a source of pressurized gas for pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from brewable matter and water; and a control apparatus for controlling the pressure of the pressurized gas introduced into the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container.

[00014] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00015] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the method of and apparatus for brewing a beverage according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00016] Figure 1 is a perspective view from in front and above of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage according to the present invention;

[00017] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view from above of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1;

[00018] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, with the sealable container in place and about to be readied for use;

i

[00019] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, with the sealable container being readied for use;

[00020] Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein an aliquot of brewable matter is being introduced into the sealable container;

[00021] Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein an aliquot of water is being introduced into the sealable container;

[00022] Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, showing the brewable matter and the water being combined together;

[00023] Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein the sealable container is being sealed;

[00024] Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein the sealable container is being pressurized;

i

[00025] Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein the brewable matter and the water are being brewed over a period of time to create a brewed beverage;

[00026] Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein the sealable container is being de-pressurized;

[00027] Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein the sealable container is being opened to permit the removal of the brewed beverage; and,

[00028] Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of the illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage of Figure 1, wherein the brewed beverage is being removed from the sealable container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[00029] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 = through 13, which show an illustrated embodiment of the method and apparatus for brewing a beverage according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 100.

[00030] The present invention comprises an apparatus 100 for brewing a beverage 102, such as brewed coffee or brewed tea, or any other suitable beverage. Excellent results have been achieved to date brewing coffee using cold water 104.

[00031] The apparatus 100 comprises a sealable container 110 having a substantially hollow interior 111 and at least one beverage opening 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealable container 110 comprises a stainless steel keg 110 and the at least one beverage opening 112 comprises an openable and closable mouth 112 disposed in the roof 114 of the sealable container 110. The mouth 112 is openable and closable by a sealable lid 116 that engages the roof 114 of the keg 110 in sealed relation when the lid 116 is in its closed position, and best seen in Figures 1, 3, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and that is disposed below and laterally offset with respect to the mouth 112 when the lid 116 is in its open position, and best seen in Figures 2,4, 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13. A latching mechanism 120 comprising a stiff wire main body 122 is pivotally connected to the lid 116, and has two feet 124 that engage the upper surface 115 of the roof 114 when in the latched position. A handle portion 126 is used to manually manipulate the latching mechanism 120 between its closed and open positions.

[00032] The sealable container 110 is sealable with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings, by means of situating the lid 116 in its closed position.

[00033] There is also a source of pressurized gas 130 for pressurizing the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage 102 from i a brewable matter 108 and water 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the source of pressurized gas 130 comprises a source of pressurized argon gas 130, which is an inert gas. Any suitable gas can be used, preferably an inert gas. It has been found that argon gas works very well and precludes the brewed coffee 102 from having an oxidized taste.

[00034] A control apparatus 150 for controlling the pressure of the pressurized gas 130 introduced into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 comprises a gas regulator 152 having an inlet 153 connected in fluid communication with the source of pressurized argon gas 130 and an outlet 154 connected in fluid communication with the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 via a suitable hose 159. A user can regulate the pressure within the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 by manual manipulation of the valve handle 155 of the valve 156. A pressure meter 158 is part of the control apparatus 150 and is also connected in fluid communication with the gas regulator 152 to permit accurate application of a desired argon gas pressure to the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110.

[00035] Also, the present invention comprises a method of brewing a beverage 102, such as coffee or tea, or any other suitable beverage. Excellent results have been achieved to date brewing coffee using cold water 104.

[00036] The present method comprises the following steps, typically once the sealable container 110 has been placed in a suitable location on a generally horizontal surface, if appropriate, as best seen in Figure 3.

[00037] (1) Readying a sealable container 110 having a substantially hollow interior 111, as is best seen in Figure 4. This step includes moving the lid 116 to its open position, if necessary, as indicated by arrow "A".

[00038] (2) Introducing an aliquot of brewable matter 108, such as coffee, into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110, as is best seen in Figure 5 and as indicated by arrow "B".
In the illustrated embodiment, the step of adding an aliquot of brewable matter 108 into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is done through the mouth 112 of the sealable container 110. Preferably, the brewable matter 108 comprises substantially solid 116 material, and comprises at least one of coffee and tea, and as illustrated comprises ground coffee.

[00039] (3) Introducing an aliquot of water 104 into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110, as is best seen in Figure 6 and as indicated by arrow "C". The step of adding an aliquot of water 104 into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is done through the mouth 112 of the sealable container 110. Preferably, the water 104 introduced into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is between a temperature of about zero (0) degrees centigrade and about sixty (60) degrees centigrade, and even more preferably, and in the illustrated embodiment, the water 104 introduced into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is unheated.

[00040] (4) Wherein the brewable matter 108 and the water 104 combine together for subsequent brewing, as is best seen in Figure 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of weight of brewable matter 108 introduced into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 to the weight of water 104 introduced into the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is between 13:1 and 16:1.

[00041] (5) Sealing the sealable container 110 with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110 is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings, as is best seen in Figure 8 and as indicated by arrow "D". The step of sealing the sealable container 110 with respect to the ambient surroundings comprises closing off the mouth 112 of the sealable container 110.

[00042] (6) Pressurizing the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110, as is best seen in Figure 9, and as indicated by arrow "E", for a period of time, as controlled via the pressure regulator 152 and as indicated by timer 109, to thereby create a brewed beverage 102 from the brewable matter 108 and the water 104, as is best seen in Figure 10. The step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 is performed using an inert gas, specifically argon gas, as illustrated. The pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage 102 from the coffee grounds and the water 104, is between about one (1) PSI and about two-hundred (200) PSI, and preferably is between about twenty (20) PSI and about one-hundred (100) PSI. It has been found that a pressure of about fifty (50) PSI
works well.

[00043] The pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealed container 110 for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage 102 from the coffee grounds and the water 104, is substantially constant for at least most of the duration of the step, is maintained substantially continuously for at least most of the duration of the step, is maintained for at least a period of 10 hours and is preferably maintained for a period of between 10 hours and 30 hours.

[00044] (7) Subsequent to the brewed beverage 102 being created, de-pressurizing the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110, as is best seen in Figure 11. In order to de-pressurize the substantially hollow interior 111 of the sealable container 110, a release valve 118 is opened, as indicated by arrow "F".

[00045] (8) Permitting the removal of at least a portion of the brewed beverage 102 from the container for consumption, as is best seen in Figure 12. The step of permitting the removal of at least a portion of the coffee beverage 102 from the sealable container for consumption comprises opening the mouth 112 of the sealable container 110, as indicated by arrow "G".
Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13, the brewed beverage 102 is poured from the sealable container 110 into a dispenser 160, as indicated by arrow "H", or into a carafe or even into a cup or the like.

I

[00046] Further, the present invention comprises a beverage 102 brewed by a method comprising the steps set forth above.

[00047] It is also contemplated that the brewing of the brewed beverage will take place faster if there is agitation within the sealable container.

[00048] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a method of and apparatus for brewing a beverage that produces brewed drinks without an oxidized flavor, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

[00049] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the of the method of and apparatus for brewing a beverage according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims (28)

I CLAIM:

1. A method of brewing a beverage, said method comprising the steps of:
readying a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior;
introducing an aliquot of brewable matter into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container, introducing an aliquot of water into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container;
wherein the brewable matter and the water combine together for subsequent brewing;
sealing the sealable container with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings;
pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from the brewable matter and the water;
subsequent to the brewed beverage being created, de-pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; and, permitting the removal of at least a portion of the brewed beverage from the sealable container for consumption.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container is performed using an inert gas.

3. The method of Claim 2, wherein said inert gas comprises argon gas.

4. The method of Claim 1, wherein said sealable container has an openable and closable mouth, and wherein the step of adding an aliquot of brewable matter into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is done through the mouth of the sealable container.

5. The method of Claim 1, wherein said sealable container has an openable and closable mouth, and wherein the step of adding an aliquot of water into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is done through the mouth of the sealable container

6. The method of Claim 1, wherein said sealable container has an openable and closable mouth, and wherein the step of sealing the sealable container with respect to the ambient surroundings comprises closing off the mouth of the sealable container.

7. The method of Claim 1, wherein said sealable container has an openable and closable mouth, and wherein the step of permitting the removal of at least a portion of the coffee beverage from the sealable container for consumption comprises opening the mouth of the sealable container

8. The method of Claim 1, wherein the sealable container comprises a keg.

9. The method of Claim 1, wherein the water introduced into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is between a temperature of about zero (0) degrees centigrade and about sixty (60) degrees centigrade

10. The method of Claim 1, wherein the water introduced into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is unheated.

11. The method of Claim 1, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is between about one (1) PSI and about two-hundred (200) PSI

12. The method of Claim 11, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is between about twenty (20) PSI and about one-hundred (100) PSI

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is about fifty (50) PSI.

14. The method of Claim 1, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container is controlled via a pressure regulator

15. The method of Claim 1, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is substantially constant for at least most of the duration of the step.

16. The method of Claim 1, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is maintained substantially continuously for at least most of the duration of the step

17. The method of Claim 1, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is maintained for at least a period of 10 hours.

18. The method of Claim 17, wherein the pressure realized within the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container during a substantial portion of the step of pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a coffee beverage from the coffee grounds and the water, is maintained for a period of between 10 hours and 30 hours.

19. The method of Claim 1, wherein the ratio of weight of brewable matter introduced into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container to the weight of water introduced into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is between 13.1 and 16.1.

20. The method of Claim 1, wherein said brewable matter comprises substantially solid material.

21. The method of Claim 1, wherein said brewable matter comprises at least one of coffee and tea

22. The method of Claim 1, wherein said brewable matter comprises ground coffee.

23. A beverage brewed by a method comprising the steps of:

readying a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior;
introducing an aliquot of brewable matter into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container, introducing an aliquot of water into the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container;
wherein the brewable matter and the water combine together for subsequent brewing;
sealing the sealable container with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings;
pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from the brewable matter and the water;
subsequent to the brewed beverage being created, de-pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container; and, permitting the removal of at least a portion of the brewed beverage from the sealable container for consumption.

24. An apparatus for brewing a beverage, said apparatus comprising a sealable container having a substantially hollow interior and at least one beverage opening;
wherein the sealable container is sealable with respect to the ambient surroundings such that the substantially hollow interior of the sealable container is substantially precluded from being in fluid communication with the ambient surroundings;
a source of pressurized gas for pressurizing the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container for a period of time to thereby create a brewed beverage from brewable matter and water; and, a control apparatus for controlling the pressure of the pressurized gas introduced into the substantially hollow interior of the sealed container.

25. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said sealable container comprises a keg.

26. The apparatus of Claim 25, wherein said at least one beverage opening comprises an openable and closable mouth.

27. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said source of pressurized gas comprises a source of pressurized argon gas.

28. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said control apparatus comprises a gas regulator.