Beverage brewers and related brewing methods and, more particularly, press beverage brewers and related methods and components and/or assemblies. In preferred embodiments, the brewer may comprise several nested components that fit together and interact to allow for brewing and subsequent, selective release of a brewed beverage within the assembly to separate the brewed beverage from the brewing material/grounds and, optionally, allow the beverage to be poured into another container. Preferably the brewing assembly comprises a brewing chamber comprising a valve and configured to receive a plunger. Upon depressing the plunger, the valve preferably opens by way of the pressure generated by advancing the plunger and then automatically closes after the plunger has been released to separate the beverage from the grounds.
In a more specific example of a brewing assembly for brewing a beverage according to some embodiments, the brewing assembly may comprise a brewing chamber and a valve assembly coupled with the brewing chamber. The valve assembly may comprise a valve configured to selectively open to expel a brewed beverage therethrough and a plunger configured to be slidably received in the brewing chamber. The plunger may be configured to selectively open the valve upon depressing the plunger to expel the brewed beverage therethrough. The brewing assembly may further comprise a receiving chamber, such as a carafe, configured to receive and/or mount the brewing chamber therein. The receiving chamber may be configured to receive the brewed beverage from the brewing chamber upon depressing the plunger to open the valve and expel the brewed beverage therethrough.
In some embodiments, the valve may comprise a pressure-actuated valve configured to automatically open following application of a threshold pressure within the brewing chamber. The valve assembly may be further configured to isolate the brewing chamber from the receiving chamber such that in a natural configuration prior to application of a force on the plunger no liquid is able to pass from the brewing chamber to the delivery chamber.
The brewing assembly may further comprise means for coupling the brewing chamber with the valve assembly and/or means for mounting the brewing chamber within the receiving chamber.
In some embodiments, the valve assembly may be removably coupled with the brewing chamber. The plunger may be configured to wholly expel spent brewing material from the brewing chamber following a brewing process, such as by further depressing the plunger to the bottom of the brewing chamber after the valve assembly has been removed from the brewing chamber.
In some embodiments, the plunger may comprise a flange, such as an annular flange, formed along a perimeter of the plunger. In some such embodiments, the annular flange may form a recession, such as an annular recession, which may face towards the valve assembly when the plunger is positioned within the brewing chamber.
In some embodiments, the plunger may be part of a plunger assembly, which plunger assembly may further comprise a handle and a shaft extending between the handle and the plunger.
In another example of a brewing assembly for brewing a beverage according to other embodiments, the brewing assembly may comprise a brewing chamber configured to brew a beverage therein and a valve coupled with the brewing chamber and configured to selectively open to expel a brewed beverage from the brewing chamber. The assembly may further comprise a plunger configured to be slidably received in the brewing chamber. The plunger may be further configured to selectively open the valve upon depressing the plunger to expel the brewed beverage therethrough. The brewing chamber may be configured to be selectively received within a receiving chamber, such as a carafe configured to receive and/or mount the brewing chamber therein, to receive the brewed beverage from the brewing chamber. Preferably, the brewing chamber is configured to be securely received with the receiving chamber.
Some embodiments may further comprise means for mounting the brewing chamber within the receiving chamber. The means for mounting may be configured to provide a secure coupling between the brewing chamber and the receiving chamber.
In some embodiments, the valve may be part of a valve assembly. In some such embodiments, the valve assembly may further comprise means for coupling the valve assembly with the brewing chamber. In some such embodiments, the means for coupling the valve assembly with the brewing chamber may be configured to allow the valve assembly to be selectively removed from the brewing chamber.
In an example of a method for brewing a beverage according to some implementations, the method may comprise inserting a brewing chamber within a receiving chamber; inserting a brewing material into the brewing chamber; and inserting a liquid onto the brewing material within the brewing chamber to brew a beverage therein. Preferably, the brewing chamber is fluidly sealed with respect to the receiving chamber such that brewed beverage cannot pass from the brewing chamber to the receiving chamber during brewing. Pressure within the brewing chamber may then be increased. In some implementations, the step of increasing pressure within the brewing chamber may comprise depressing a plunger within the brewing chamber to increase the pressure within the brewing chamber. The increase in pressure may result in automatically delivering brewed beverage from the brewing chamber into the receiving chamber.
In some implementations, the step of automatically delivering brewed beverage from the brewing chamber into the receiving chamber may comprise opening a pressure-actuated valve within the brewing chamber, which may be automatically opened by advancing the plunger to increase the pressure within the brewing chamber. In some embodiments and/or implementations, the plunger and the pressure-actuated valve may be configured such that, upon releasing the plunger, the pressure-actuated valve automatically closes to separate the brewing material/grounds from the brewed beverage to prevent over-brewing.
In some embodiments and/or implementations, the brewed beverage may be poured into a separate container with the brewing chamber within the receiving chamber. Thus, the brewing chamber and receiving chamber may be configured to fit together in a precise manner with space provided to allow for dispensing of the beverage with the two chambers coupled together.
The features, structures, steps, or characteristics disclosed herein in connection with one embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more alternative embodiments.
The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:
It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail.
Various embodiments of apparatus and methods are disclosed herein that relate to beverage brewers, such as coffee and/or tea brewers. Some embodiments disclosed herein may allow for full immersion, press-style beverage brewing but may allow for manual delivery of the brewed beverage through a valve using a plunger. This may allow for isolation of the grounds or other brewing material after a desired brewing duration. In some embodiments, the brewing chamber may be received in a receiving chamber, which may be used to dispense the beverage following brewing and dispensing through the valve.
The embodiments of the disclosure may be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts may be designated by like numerals. It will be readily understood that the components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, the steps of a method do not necessarily need to be executed in any specific order, or even sequentially, nor need the steps be executed only once, unless otherwise specified. Additional details regarding certain preferred embodiments and implementations will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brewing chamber 110 may further comprise means for mounting brewing chamber 110 into a receiving chamber, such as a carafe, as discussed below. In the depicted embodiment, the means for mounting brewing chamber 110 into a receiving chamber comprises a lip 114 formed at the upper end of brewing chamber 110 and a spacer 116 positioned at or near the upper end of brewing chamber 110. In preferred embodiments, brewing chamber 110 may comprise a tube having a cylindrical shape. Thus, with respect to such embodiments, spacer 116 may comprise, for example, a ring formed about an upper perimeter of the tube/brewing chamber 110.
In addition, valve assembly 120 may comprise a filter 124. In some embodiments, filter 124 may comprise a metal plate comprising a plurality of holes. In some embodiments, this plate may be configured to serve as the filter alone. Alternatively, filter 124 may comprise a paper filter, or may comprise a plate configured to receive a paper filter.
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Because receiving chamber 150 is isolated from brewing chamber 110, the spent grounds or other brewing material are separated from the brewed beverage after it is forced through valve 122. This may be preferable for certain applications over, for example, a typical French-press style brewer, which maintains contact with the grounds even after actuation of the plunger and therefore may over steep the beverage if the beverage is not poured from the container in a timely manner. Moreover, in preferred embodiments, by providing a sealed valve during brewing, full steeping of all liquid in the brewing chamber may be maintained without allowing liquid to drip through a filter prior to a desired steeping time.
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Another brewing assembly 1100 according to another embodiment is shown in
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Preferably, valve 1122 comprises a pressure-actuated valve, which may comprise, for example, a spring, a pressure plate, and a plug positioned adjacent to a valve hole/opening. The spring may be configured to, upon receipt of a predetermined amount of force/pressure, open valve 1122 to allow for delivery of a brewed beverage therethrough, as previously mentioned.
Brewing chamber 1110 may further comprise means for mounting brewing chamber 1110 into receiving chamber 1150, such as a carafe. In the depicted embodiment, the means for mounting brewing chamber 1110 into a receiving chamber 1150 comprises a lip 1114 formed at the upper end of brewing chamber 1110 and a spacer 1116 positioned at or near the upper end of brewing chamber 1110. In preferred embodiments, brewing chamber 1110 may comprise a tube having a cylindrical shape. Thus, with respect to such embodiments, spacer 1116 may comprise, for example, a ring formed about an upper perimeter of the tube/brewing chamber 1110. Preferably, spacer 1116 comprises a soft, malleable material, such as rubber. Spacer 1116 may also, in some embodiments, be used to create sufficient space between brewing chamber 1110 and delivery chamber 1150 to allow for flow of brewed beverage therebetween.
The same or a similar material may be formed about the exterior of receiving chamber 1150 and may serve as a handle 1153. It may be preferred to form handle 1153 from a material with low heat conductivity to reduce the possibility of burns.
Plunger assembly 1160 comprises a plunger base 1162, a frame 1163, and a handle 1164, which may also serve as a cap to plunger assembly 1160. Handle/cap 1164 may be releasably coupled with frame 1163, such as, for example, by way of a threaded coupling, twist-lock, or the like.
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After inserting brewing chamber 1110 into receiving chamber 1150, as shown in
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Finally, by continuing to depress plunger assembly 1160 following removal of valve assembly 1120, the spent coffee grounds 10 may be expelled from brewing assembly 1110. This step may also be used to clean the interior of brewing assembly 1110.
Still another brewing assembly 2200 according to yet another embodiment is shown in
Valve assembly 2220 further comprises a base configured to allow for direct contact between valve assembly 2220 and the bottom, interior surface of receiving chamber 2250. Again, this base preferably comprises a relatively soft, malleable material, such as rubber or a suitable plastic. As also shown in
Preferably, valve 2222 comprises a pressure-actuated valve, which may comprise, for example, a spring, a pressure plate, and a plug positioned adjacent to a valve hole/opening. The spring may be configured to, upon receipt of a predetermined amount of force/pressure, open valve 2222 to allow for delivery of a brewed beverage therethrough, as previously mentioned.
A filter stand 2225 may be positioned on top of valve assembly 2220 and may be configured to receive and/or seat a filter, 2224, which may comprise a permanent filter, such as a metallic filter, or a disposable/paper filter.
Brewing chamber 2210 may further comprise means for mounting brewing chamber 2210 into receiving chamber 2250. In the depicted embodiment, the means for mounting brewing chamber 2210 into a receiving chamber 2250 comprises a lip 2214 formed at the upper end of brewing chamber 2210 and a spacer 2216 positioned at or near the upper end of brewing chamber 220. Preferably, spacer 2216 comprises a soft, malleable material, such as rubber. Spacer 2216 may also, in some embodiments, be used to create sufficient space between brewing chamber 2210 and delivery chamber 2250 to allow for flow of brewed beverage therebetween. In addition, in the embodiment depicted in
The same or a similar material may be formed about the exterior of receiving chamber 2250 and may serve as a handle 2253. It may be preferred to form handle 2253 from a material with low heat conductivity to reduce the possibility of burns.
Plunger assembly 2260 comprises a plunger base 2262, a shaft 2263, and a handle 2264, which may also serve as a cap to plunger assembly 2260. As described in greater detail in later figures, plunger base 2262 comprises a flexible flange 2265 extending about its perimeter that forms an annular cup or recession 2266 about the lower rim of base 2262. This flange enhances the functionality of the plunger as described below.
As previously mentioned, a brewing processing using brewing assembly 2200 may comprise inserting brewing chamber 2210 into receiving chamber 2250, inserting a brewing material, such as coffee grounds, onto filter 2224, and inserting a liquid, such as heated water, onto the brewing material to begin brewing. Preferably, valve 2222 of valve assembly 2220 is of sufficient strength such that brewing chamber 2210 may be filled with water or another liquid for brewing without releasing valve 2222 and allowing for premature delivery of a brewed beverage into receiving chamber 2250.
After a desired duration of brewing, plunger 2260 may be inserted into brewing chamber 2210, resulting in an increase in pressure within brewing chamber 2210, thereby automatically opening valve 2222 to dispense coffee or another brewed beverage therethrough and into receiving chamber 2250. Preferably, plunger 2260 comprises a flexible portion so that it can vary its outside diameter by flexure to seal against the inner surface of brewing chamber 2210. This may be particularly preferred in embodiments in which the inner diameter of brewing chamber 2210 is tapered or otherwise varies. This configuration may also be preferred to lower the force required to depress plunger 2260 since providing a flexible plunger along its outer diameter that varies in diameter allows for avoiding a solid interference fit between the plunger 2260 and the brewing chamber 2210.
Thus, preferably the natural or free state of the outer diameter of plunger base 2262 is larger than at least the portion of brewing chamber 2210 defining the opening, as indicated by the phantom lines in
In the depicted embodiment, these benefits are provided by forming an annular gap or recession 2266 about the lower perimeter of plunger base 2262, as best shown in
This gap/flange 2265 may be self-energizing due to both the downward drag against the inner surface of brewing chamber 2210 and the fluid pressure generated below plunger base 2262 by a user depressing plunger 2260. More particularly, the gap provided by flexible, annular flange 2265 counter balances the increased fluid pressure generated by the user during depression of plunger 2260 and may reduce and/or balance the forces required to achieve a given flow rate of brewed beverage through valve 2222.
The shape of gap/flange 2265 is configured to operate similar to the manner of a one-way clutch that may be tuned by adjusting the angle between the outer surface of flange 2265 and the central axis of plunger base 2262 and/or the adjacent surface defining the annular gap. Thus, in preferred embodiments, this angle in the free or unflexed state of plunger base 2262 may be between about 7.5 and about 17.5 degrees. In some such embodiments, this angle may be about 12.5 degrees.
In preferred embodiments, annular flange 2265 may comprise an elastomer, preferably of a relatively stiff material having lesser friction, such as a Shore 95A material or another suitable silicone rubber. Use of higher friction materials may generate more sealing force but may be prone to locking up during use. Use of a platinum-cured silicone rubber may be particularly preferred to avoid imparting unwanted flavors to the beverage.
Annular flange 2265 may also be configured to release the “clutch” forces by pulling the plunger 2260 upwards. Preferably, annular flange 2265 is configured to collapse radially inward due to suction during this withdrawal action, thereby allowing air to leak past to facilitate extraction of the plunger assembly 2260.
As previously mentioned, following brewing and dispensing of the brewed beverage, brewing chamber 2210 may be removed from delivery chamber 2250. Valve assembly 2220 may also be removed from brewing chamber 2210 to facilitate removal and/or replacement of the spent brewing material and/or cleaning. In the depicted embodiment, by continuing to depress plunger assembly 2260 following removal of valve assembly 2220, the spent coffee grounds may be expelled from brewing assembly 2210 and may wipe the interior of brewing assembly 2210 clean, which may minimize the need for more thorough cleaning.
Valve 2222 is also preferably configured such that, upon releasing plunger assembly 2260, valve 2222 automatically closes in order to separate the brewed beverage from the spent brewing material.
It will be understood by those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles presented herein. Any suitable combination of various embodiments, or the features thereof, is contemplated.
Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.
Throughout this specification, any reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles set forth herein.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/541,405 filed Aug. 4, 2017 and titled “PRESS BEVERAGE BREWERS AND RELATED BREWING METHODS,” which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62541405 | Aug 2017 | US |