The present invention generally relates to brewing devices, and more particularly, to beverage brewing devices for facilitating disbursement of a brewing liquid through a pre-packaged pod containing extractable material.
In response to consumer demand for faster, more convenient brewers, single-cup brewing devices have recently been introduced. Single-cup brewing devices differ from conventional brewing devices in that single-cup brewing devices can quickly provide one cup of brewed beverage at a time. Additionally, single-cup brewing devices differ from espresso brewers in that single-cup brewing devices may be capable of brewing more than just espresso. Single-cup brewing devices are often designed to work in conjunction with pre-packaged pods, pouches or cartridges containing extractable materials, and in particular, extractable beverage materials, such as coffee, tea, cocoa and the like. In use, the consumer can place a pod into the brewing device and in less than one or two minutes a single-serving of freshly brewed beverage is produced.
One reason single-cup brewing devices are able to rapidly provide a freshly brewed beverage is because the brewing liquid (e.g. water) is forced through the device, and more particularly through the pod, under pressure greater than that of conventional brewers. More specifically, while conventional brewers usually brew at from about 0-1 psi, most single-cup brewing devices can brew at from about 2-25 psi. While the increased pressure can provide a quicker brew cycle than that of conventional brewing devices, it may also result in undesired bypass.
Bypass generally occurs when the water from the brewer travels around the exterior of the pod, rather than passing through the pod. Bypass is undesirable for several reasons. First, bypass may affect the taste of the final beverage because not all of the water intended for extraction of the pod actually passes through the pod. Therefore, the beverage may have a weaker flavor than intended. Second, because the water is passing around (rather than through) the pod, the water may actually leak from the brewing device. Finally, because bypass may result in a lesser degree of extraction than desired, a portion of the extractable material may remain unextracted in the pod, thereby resulting in waste.
Therefore, there remains a need for a brewing device, and more specifically, a single-cup brewing device, having reduced instances of bypass during the brewing cycle.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to beverage brewing devices comprising:
a brewing unit having a brewing chamber and a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism having an open and closed orientation;
a pod holder configured to hold a pod containing an extractable material, the pod having a peripheral flange, wherein the pod holder comprises:
In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to pod holders for use in a brewing device, the pod holder configured to hold a pod containing an extractable material, the pod having a peripheral flange, wherein the pod holder comprises:
A. Definitions
As used herein, the term “beverage brewing device” means a conventional, multi-cup brewing device or a single-cup brewing device.
As used herein, the term “bypass” means that at least some quantity of the brewing liquid passes around the exterior of the filter pod rather than passing through the filter pod. Thus, the brewing liquid that bypasses the filter pod does not aid in extracting the extractable material contained within the pod.
As used herein, the term “comprising” means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles of this invention. Accordingly, the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” are embodied in the term comprising.
As used herein, the term “dynamic condition(s)” means there is additional pressure being exerted other than atmospheric pressure. For example, during a brew cycle, dynamic conditions may exist while the brewing liquid is disbursed under pressure onto and through the pod (e.g. when the flange of the pod is being pressed downward onto the gasket of the pod holder).
As used herein, the term “extractable material” means any solid, liquid, powder or concentrate that may be extracted, dissolved, diluted or suspended to produce a consumable liquid. In one embodiment, the “extractable material” may be an “extractable beverage material,” which includes, but is not limited to, coffee (including, but not limited to, roast and ground, latte, cappuccino and espresso), tea, cocoa, dairy-based materials and/or fruit-based/flavored materials.
As used herein, the term “extracted” or “extract” may not only mean to treat with a solvent so as to remove a soluble substance, but also may include dissolving, diluting or suspending extractable materials as defined herein.
As used herein, the term “liquid extract” means a consumable liquid derived from any solid, liquid, powdered or concentrated extractable material, as defined herein.
As used herein, the term “static condition(s)” means there is generally no additional pressure being exerted other than atmospheric pressure. For example, during a brew cycle, static conditions may exist before the brewing liquid is disbursed under pressure onto and through the pod (e.g. when the flange of the pod is resting on the gasket of the pod holder).
As used herein, the term “substantially liquid tight seal” means that during the dynamic conditions of the brew cycle, less than about 10%, and in one embodiment, less than about 5%, and in another embodiment less than about 1%, of the brewing liquid used during any given brew cycle may bypass the pod during that brew cycle.
B. Beverage Brewing Device
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to brewing devices for facilitating disbursement of a brewing liquid through a pre-packaged pod containing extractable material.
Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals relate to similar features throughout the drawings,
Referring generally to
Closure mechanism 24 may further comprise a distributor plate 42 operably associated with the underside of closure mechanism 24 above brewing chamber 40 to disperse the brewing liquid into the brewing chamber 24. Distributor plate 42 may comprise one or more openings 44 for dispensing a brewing liquid under pressure onto, for instance, a pod 48 of extractable material (shown in
Brewing chamber 40 may comprise a brew basket 46, which may be removably associated with brewing unit 22 to facilitate placement and removal of pod 48 and also allow easy maintenance and cleaning. Typically the extractable brewing material is disposed within brew basket 46 of brewing chamber 40. As shown in
Referring generally to
As shown in
Referring to
As the hot, pressurized brewing liquid is dispensed onto pod 48, pod 48 is pressed downward onto gasket 64 of pod holder 56, both by the force of the pressurized brewing liquid being dispensed onto pod 48 and by the increased weight of pod 48 as the brewing liquid collects inside pod 48 to dissolve the extractable material contained therein. More specifically, bottom surface 54 of flange 50 is pressed downward onto sealing gasket 64 of pod holder 56, thereby reinforcing the substantially liquid tight seal 57 previously described for preventing the brewing liquid from bypassing pod 48. As a result, the pressurized brewing liquid dispensed onto pod 48 from distributor plate 42 can be directed through pod 48, rather than around pod 48, thus helping to ensure proper extraction of the extractable material within pod 48. Once extracted, the resulting brewed beverage may pass through pod 48 and out of the brewing chamber 40 through one or more openings disposed in or near the bottom of the brew basket 46. Fluid passageways in the brewing unit 22 lead the brewed beverage to the spout from which the brewed beverage may be dispensed into the consumer's cup. Once the brewing operation is completed, the user may open closure mechanism 24 again to gain access to brewing chamber 40 and remove the used brewing material and filter material for disposal. Brewing device 20 is then ready for another brewing operation.
It will be understood that embodiments of the brewing devices described herein may comprise additional components common to many conventional brewing devices but not shown in the present illustrations. Furthermore, embodiments of brewing device, as well as components thereof described herein, may be constructed of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metals and the like. Those skilled in the art will understand how to select the optimum material for constructing the various components based on each component's function.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/709,091, filed Aug. 17, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60709091 | Aug 2005 | US |