AU1735299A - Positive pressure brewing machine for single cup applications - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 453095

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S. S S S.

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Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Alan M King 4369 Montrose Avenue Westmount Quebec H3Y 2B2

CANADA

Alan M. King Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Positive Pressure Brewing Machine for Single Cup Applications The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing It known to me/us:- 5845 1 POSITIVE PRESSURE BREWING MACHINE FOR SINGLE CUP

APPLICATIONS

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a beverage brewing machine, and more particularly to a brewing machine which brews a beverage from ground coffee or any other beverage ingredient in single cup quantities.

It is known in the art to provide a brewing machine 10 for beverages such as coffee which brew a quantity of a beverage in single cup sizes. These devices typically utilize a negative pressure or vacuum to draw hot liquid over the beverage ingredient in order to brew the beverage. Such devices are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,642,655; 5,697,288; 4,903,586; and 4,632,023.

These devices utilize a piston received within a brewing cylinder whereby the piston is moved within the cylinder from an upper to a lower position. As the 20 piston is drawn downward to the lower position, beverage eeoc liquid is drawn through a beverage brewing ingredient or substance into a lower chamber by a vacuum or negative oS..

pressure force above the piston.

These devices typically require a relatively elaborate mechanism and electronics for driving the motor which, in turn, drives the piston within the cylinder.

These devices also typically require the piston to be adequately sealed between the outer surface of the piston and the inner surface of the brewing cylinder in order to prevent leakage from within the cylinder around the piston of the hot liquid which is on top of the piston.

A need exists for a single cup beverage brewing machine of relatively low cost and simple construction 2 which utilizes an alternative means other than a negative pressure or vacuum in order to brew the liquid.

Summary of the Invention The It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to solve these and other problems with the prior art brewing machines. It is another object of the present invention to produce such a home brewing machine for brewing single cup beverage quantities.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a 10 beverage brewing machine is disclosed which has a brewing *..:cylinder defining a brewing chamber therein. The brewing cylinder has an open lower end connected to a liquid pervious support surface received across the lower end.

The support surface is adapted to receive thereon a 15 beverage brewing substance within the brewing cylinder.

A liquid inlet is connected to the brewing cylinder for "filling the brewing chamber with a liquid to be brewed.

A pressuring means is connected to the brewing chamber for applying a positive pressure to the brewing chamber 20 above the liquid pervious support surface.

eeoc In an embodiment, the pressuring means includes a piston received within the brewing cylinder which is slidable toward and away from the liquid pervious support surface within the brewing chamber. The piston is received through an upper end of the brewing cylinder whereby the piston is slidable between the upper and open lower ends above the liquid pervious support surface.

In an embodiment, the piston is driven by a link pivotally connected to an upper surface of the piston and is driven to reciprocate the piston in the brewing chamber. A connecting rod is rotatably driven and is pivotally connected to the link for reciprocating the piston.

3 In an embodiment, the brewing machine has a dispenser housing which defines a liquid dispensing chamber therein. The dispenser housing is carried on the lower end of the brewing cylinder beneath the liquid pervious support surface. The dispenser housing may also include a dispenser spout which depends from the housing for directing a brewed beverage from the dispensing chamber to a liquid container such as a cup.

In an embodiment, the pressuring means of the 0 brewing machine includes an air inlet connected to the brewing cylinder adapted for providing pressurized air to the brewing chamber. The brewing machine includes an air pump carried thereon which is connected to the air inlet for providing the pressurized flow of air.

In an embodiment, the brewing machine includes a clamping surface on the open lower end of the brewing cylinder and a mating surface on the liquid pervious support surface which is removably and sealingly engaged to the clamping surface. The brewing substance is held within a filter package having a flange to be sandwiched *between the clamping surface and the mating surface.

In an embodiment, the brewing substance is ground coffee which is held within a filter package.

In one embodiment, the pressurizing means includes an air inlet connected to the brewing cylinder providing pressurized air to the brewing chamber and includes a releasable pressure seal member on the liquid inlet for sealing in the brewing chamber.

In an embodiment, the brewing chamber of the brewing machine holds a single serving volume of liquid to be brewed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, amethod of brewing a liquid beverage is provided which 4 utilizes a beverage brewing machine having a brewing chamber and a liquid pervious support surface at a lower end of the chamber. The brewing chamber is typically held at a generally ambient pressure prior to running a brewing cycle. A beverage brewing substance is placed on the liquid pervious support surface within the brewing chamber and then a hot liquid is added to the chamber.

The pressure within the brewing chamber is then increased so that the hot liquid is forced through the brewing 10 substance and the liquid pervious support surface. The brewing chamber pressure is then returned to ambient pressure to complete a brewing cycle.

In an embodiment, the method also includes sealing the brewing chamber airtight after adding the hot liquid to be brewed and after supplying air into the brewing chamber to increase the pressure within the chamber.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of sealing the brewing chamber airtight after adding the hot liquid and then moving a piston downward within the 20 brewing chamber toward the liquid pervious support surface to increase the pressure within the brewing chamber.

In an embodiment, the method includes placing a "'*liquid container beneath the liquid pervious support surface prior to increasing the brewing chamber pressure in order to receive brewed beverage dispensed from the chamber.

In an embodiment, the method includes lifting the brewing chamber from the liquid pervious support surface and placing a filter package containing therein a brewing substance on the liquid pervious support surface. The brewing chamber is then placed over the liquid pervious support surface sandwiching a flange of the package between the brewing chamber and the support surface. The hot liquid is then added to the brewing chamber and the brewing cycle is begun.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel 1. 0 concepts of the disclosure including the drawing figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a single cup beverage brewing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

15 Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a single cup beverage brewing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two distinct embodiments of a beverage brewing machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Each of these embodiments is described separately below but each utilizes positive pressure applied to a brewing chamber in order to force a hot liquid such as water through a beverage brewing substance such as a filter package in order to brew a beverage such as coffee or tea.

Figure 1 illustrates a beverage brewing machine adapted for brewing a single serving of a beverage such as coffee. The brewing machine 10 generally includes a brewing cylinder 12 defining therein a brewing chamber 14. A reciprocating piston 16 is received within the brewing cylinder 12 for reciprocating up and down within the brewing chamber 14. The brewing cylinder 12 also includes a fill spout or liquid inlet 18 which opens into the brewing chamber 14 below the piston 16 when the piston 16 is raised to an upper most position as illustrated in Figure i. The liquid inlet 18 is provided for receiving a hot liquid such as water and delivering the liquid to the brewing chamber 14. The brewing machine 10 also includes a dispensing spout 20 located beneath the brewing cylinder 12 for dispensing the hot 10 brewed beverage into a container such as a coffee cup 22 as illustrated in Figure 1.

The brewing cylinder 12 includes an upper end 30 and an open lower end 32 defined by a cylindrical sidewall 34 of the cylinder 12. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall 34 is in the form of circular cylinder although other shapes and configurations may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present •invention. As shown in Figure i, the piston 16 is received in the upper end 30 and may be reciprocated 20 downward toward the lower end 32 as described in more •o detail below.

A support surface or cap 40 is carried on the lower end 32 of the brewing cylinder and closes off the opening in the lower end. However, the support surface 40 is a liquid pervious or porous support surface in order to permit liquid to pass therethrough. A beverage brewing substance 42 is supported thereon within the brewing chamber 14. In one preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the beverage brewing substance 42 is held within a filter package or bag 44 which has an outer perimeter flange 46. The brewing substance 42 may typically be any type of brewing substance but in one preferred embodiment is either ground coffee or tea leaves.

The lower end 32 of the brewing cylinder 12 includes a clamping surface 48 facing downward which mates against a corresponding mating surface 50 formed on the support surface 40. The flange 46 of the filter package or bag 44 is sandwiched between the clamping surface 48 and the mating surface 50 in order to securely hold the filter package 44 in place during a brewing cycle of the machine 10. The dispenser 20 is secured to the brewing 10 cylinder 12 by attaching to the lower surface of the support surface 40. The dispenser 20 in the present embodiment includes a frusto-conical housing or funnel which tapers down to an adjoining spout 62 which extends downward from the housing. The spout 62 may take on many 15 configurations and constructions without departing from the scope of the present invention but is intended to "•direct a brewed beverage received within a dispensing chamber 63 of the housing or funnel 60 to an awaiting container such as the coffee cup 22.

S. 20 The piston 16 includes an upward facing surface 64 carrying a pivot block or trunnion 66 thereon pivotally attached to a mechanical link 68. A connecting rod 70 is pivotally connected to the opposite end of the link 68 and is rotatably driven by a drive source (not shown), such as an electric motor carried on the brewing machine In operation, the brewing machine 10 runs through a brewing cycle which may be manually, electro-mechanically or electronically controlled. In a preferred embodiment, the brewing cycle is electronically controlled and electro-mechanically carried out though the electronics are not shown for purposes of simplifying the description -8of the present invention. An operator simply begins the electronic brewing cycle in an ordinary manner such as setting a time or pressing a button.

The method of utilizing the brewing machine begins with a user of the machine 10 adding a hot liquid, such as water, to the brewing chamber 14 through the liquid inlet of fill spout 18 to a level which is below an inlet opening 72 in the brewing cylinder 12. This level is illustrated by the broken line in Figure i.

0 The operator then begins the brewing cycle which begins to drive the piston 16 downward toward the support surface 40. As the piston 16 reaches the level defined by the broken line the brewing chamber 14 is sealed once the piston 16 closes off the inlet opening 72. From S• 15 that point downward, the piston 16 forces the hot liquid held within the brewing chamber 14 through the filter e00:.. package 44, the brewing substance 42 and the porous support surface 40 downward into the dispensing chamber 63 of the dispenser housing 20 When all of the hot liquid is forced by the positive pressure of the downward moving piston 16 into the dispenser housing 60, the cycle is nearly complete. The piston 16 is driven upward again toward the upper end of the brewing cylinder 12 to complete the cycle and return to the start position. Once the cycle is complete, the user may lift the brewing cylinder 12 from the support surface 40, remove the used filter package 44 and replace it with a fresh one. The user then replaces the brewing cylinder 12 over the support surface sealing the flange 46 of the fresh package 44 between the cylinder 12 and the support surface A clamping means (not shown) may be utilized to secure the brewing cylinder 12 to the support surface 9 but must permit removal by a user of the brewing cylinder 12 for replacing the filter packages 44. The clamping means may also prevent liquid leakage from the brewing cylinder 12. Such a clamping means may take on many forms and constructions without departing from the scope of the present invention but may include one or more simple mechanical locks, latches or other such devices or may include electronically engaged clamps or latches or even a magnetic interface.

After the hot brewer beverage is received within the dispensing chamber 63 of the dispenser housing 60, it simply passes downward into the spout 62 and empties into a container such as the cup 22.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a 0**o0* 15 beverage brewing machine 100 which has many components identical to the those of the brewing machine 10. Like components of the embodiment of Figure 2 receive the same character reference numbers as those of Figure i. Only the differences between the two embodiments are described 20 below.

The brewing machine 100 includes a top wall 102 disposed over the upper end 30 of the brewing cylinder 12. A liquid inlet 104 is connected to the top wall 102 and includes an inlet opening 106 entering into the brewing chamber 14. The brewing cylinder 12 also includes an air inlet 108 communicating with the brewing chamber 14 having an air inlet opening 110 entering into the chamber 14. An air compressor or pump 112 which is shown in schematic view only, delivers or pumps air in the direction of air flow through the air inlet 109 into the brewing chamber 14. The air pump 112 replaces the piston 16 of the embodiment of Figure 1 for increasing the pressure within the brewing chamber 14.

~~i 10 In operation, the brewing machine 100 is cycled similar to that of the embodiment of figure 1. However, the user first fills the brewing chamber 14 through the liquid inlet 104 and then seals the liquid inlet 104 in the direction of arrows by closing off a clamping means 114 illustrated only schematically in Figure 2.

After the liquid inlet 104 is sealed, the air pump 112 is then turned on to increase the pressure within the brewing chamber 14 forcing the hot liquid through the filter package 44, the brewing substance 42 and the o. support surface 40 into the dispenser housing 60 similar to the manner described in regard to Figure i.

The present invention provides a novel single 9999 serving beverage brewer of compact size and simple o 15 constructions which permits accurate measurement, brewing and dispensing of a desired brewed beverage such as coffee or tea. Prior single serving brewers typically use negative pressure for drawing a hot liquid through the filter package. The novel beverage brewers of the 20 present invention utilize a positive pressure to force the hot liquid through the filter package.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is not to be so limited as changes and modifications can be made which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (22)

1. A beverage brewing machine comprising: 2 a brewing cylinder defining a brewing chamber and having an open lower end; 4 a liquid pervious support surface received across the open lower end receiving thereon a beverage brewing 6 substance within the brewing cylinder; a liquid inlet connected to the brewing cylinder 8 filling the brewing chamber with a liquid to be brewed; and 10 a pressurizing means connected to the brewing cylinder applying a positive pressure to the brewing 12 chamber above the liquid pervious support surface.

2. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: a piston received within the brewing cylinder and 4 slidable toward and away from the liquid pervious support surface in the brewing chamber. S

3. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: an upper end on the brewing cylinder; and 4 a piston received within the brewing cylinder and slidable between the upper and open lower ends above the 6 liquid pervious support surface in the brewing chamber. 12

4. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: a piston having an upper surface facing the upper 4 end of the brewing cylinder, the piston received within the brewing cylinder and slidable toward and away from S. 6 the liquid pervious support surface; and a link pivotally connected to the upper surface of 8 the piston to reciprocate the piston in the brewing .chamber.

The beverage brewing machine of Claim i, further 2 comprising: .a piston having an upper surface facing the upper 4 end of the brewing cylinder, the piston received within the brewing cylinder and slidable toward and away from 6 the liquid pervious support surface in the brewing chamber; 8 a link pivotally connected to the upper surface of the piston; and a rotatably driven connecting rod pivotally connected to the link to reciprocate the piston in the 12 brewing chamber.

6. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: a dispenser housing defining a liquid dispensing 4 chamber therein and carried on the lower end of the brewing cylinder beneath the liquid pervious support 6 surface. 13

7. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: a dispenser housing defining a liquid dispensing 4 chamber therein and carried on the lower end of the brewing cylinder beneath the liquid pervious support 6 surface; and a dispenser spout depending from the dispenser housing directing brewed beverage liquid from the liquid S"dispensing chamber to a liquid container.

The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: an air inlet connected to the brewing cylinder 4 providing pressurized air to the brewing chamber.

9. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: an air pump carried on the brewing machine; and 4 an air inlet connected to the brewing cylinder providing pressurized air from the air pump to the 6 brewing chamber.

The beverage brewing machine of Claim i, further 2 comprising: a clamping surface on the open lower end of the 4 brewing cylinder; and a mating surface on the liquid pervious support 6 surface removably and sealingly engaged to the clamping surface. 14

11. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: a clamping surface on the open lower end of the 4 brewing cylinder; and a mating surface on the liquid pervious support 6 surface removably and sealingly engaged to the clamping e ""surface wherein the brewing substance is held within a 8 filter package having an outer flange which is to be held between the clamping surface and the mating surface. o

12. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1 wherein the 2 brewing substance is ground coffee.

:13. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1 wherein the 2 brewing substance is ground coffee held within a filter package *e

14. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1, further 2 comprising: an air inlet connected to the brewing cylinder 4 providing pressurized air to the brewing chamber; and a releasable pressure seal member on the liquid 6 inlet. The beverage brewing machine of Claim 1 wherein the 2 brewing chamber holds a single serving volume of liquid to be brewed.

15

16. A method of brewing a liquid beverage using a 2 beverage brewing machine having a brewing chamber and a liquid pervious support surface at a lower end of the 4 brewing chamber, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining a brewing chamber pressure at an ambient 6 pressure; placing a beverage brewing substance on the liquid 8 pervious support surface within the brewing chamber; S'adding a hot liquid to the brewing chamber; 0 increasing the brewing chamber pressure so that the hot liquid is forced through the beverage brewing 12 substance and the liquid pervious support surface; and returning the brewing chamber pressure generally to 14 the ambient pressure.

17. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the steps 2 of: sealing the brewing chamber air tight after adding the hot liquid; and supplying air into the brewing chamber to increase 6 the brewing chamber pressure.

18. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the steps 2 of: sealing the brewing chamber air tight after adding 4 the hot liquid; and moving a piston downward within the brewing chamber 6 toward the liquid pervious support surface to increase the brewing chamber pressure. L 16

19. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step 2 of: placing a liquid container beneath the liquid 4 pervious support surface prior to increasing the brewing chamber pressure.

20. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the steps 2 of: lifting the brewing chamber from the liquid pervious .4 support surface; providing a filter package containing therein the 6 beverage brewing substance and having a perimeter flange; S'placing the filter package on the liquid pervious 8 support surface; replacing the brewing chamber over the liquid 10 pervious support surface so that the filter package ~flange is sandwiched between the brewing chamber and the 12 liquid pervious support surface; and adding the hot liquid. So.o..

21. A beverage brewing machine substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of brewing a liquid beverage, said method substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twelfth Day of February 1999 Alan M King Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person 10 SPRUSON FERGUSON 0O c SASS [N:\Libd00793:DMB