13035 results about "Brewing" patented technology

The instantaneous power consumption of an appliance is used to determine the status of the appliance, from which further actions may be taken. This invention is premised on the observation that most appliances have a characteristic power consumption pattern that can be used to determine the state of operation of the appliance. An electric coffee pot, for example, consumes high power substantially continuously during the brewing state, then reduces its power level, or power duration, or both, while keeping the pot warm, then terminates its power consumption when it is turned off. In like manner, the power consumption patterns of other appliances, such as toasters, washing machines, dryers, and so on may also be used to determine the state of each appliance. The communicated state may be used by a home-automation system to effect a variety of actions, including notifying the user, terminating the available power to the appliance, initiating an action by another appliance, and so on.

A beverage filter cartridge having a cup, a filter, a lid and at least one beverage ingredient is provided where the cup and lid are sealed together to form an interior chamber which is separated into a first and second compartments by the filter, which is preferably basket or cone shaped, and a beverage ingredient such as coffee is contained inside first compartment, and at least one of the cup, lid and filter contains calcium carbonate in an amount effective to either improve the ability of beverage makers to pierce the cup or to provide a means for the cartridge to absorb CO2 emitted by the ingredient thereby reducing the hold time to packing and reducing the number of defective cartridges.

A beverage brewer comprises a storage tank adapted to contain a supply of liquid, and a metering chamber structured and arranged to be filled with a metered amount of liquid received from the storage tank via an inlet in communication therewith. A brewing chamber is structured and arranged to receive a beverage filter cartridge containing a dry beverage medium. A baffle in the storage tank is shiftable from an open position accommodating liquid flow between the storage tank and the metering chamber via its inlet to a closed position preventing such flow and isolating the metering chamber from the storage tank. During a brewing cycle, liquid is delivered from the thus isolated metering chamber to the brewing chamber for combination with the beverage medium contained in the filter cartridge. At the conclusion of the brewing cycle, the baffle is returned to its open position, thereby allowing the metering chamber to be refilled with liquid received from the storage tank via its inlet.

A single cup pod beverage brewer is presented utilizing a pod (20) containing coffee grounds or tea leaves surrounded by filter paper. A pod holding chamber (22) consisting of a upper head (26) and a lower head (28) having an ejection disc (42). An upper head mounting frame (48) is attached to its horizontal base (50) and includes lower head rotating arms (60) attached to a first shaft (62) with a first gear motor (66) rotating the arms into a pod loading position, a pod brewing position and a pod disposal position. A second gear motor (66a) is secured to the upper head mounting frame, driving a cam (76) through a second shaft (62a) engaging the upper head to lower, seal and raise said upper head. A pod ejector solenoid (84) is disposed on the base electromechanically propelling the pod from the chamber when the lower head in the pod disposal position. An electronic control system employs a solid state direct current arrangement for control regulation and alternating current for heating system functions. An enclosure with panels and a door (90) protects moving elements and electrical controls.

A beverage cartridge system is adapted to brew a beverage through a brewer having a holder adapted to receive the cartridge system. The holder may have a deep well with one or more needles therewithin to pierce through the bottom of the cartridge system when inserted into the well. The cartridge system may include a short cup and a tall cup, where the tall cup is taller than the short cup to pack more beverage grind. The cartridge system may include a filter within an outer cup. The bottom of the filter may be deep enough to be juxtaposed to the bottom of the cup. The filter may be formed from a material that is substantially resistant to piercing by the needle within the holder such that when the outlet needle pierces through the bottom of the cup, the outlet needle raises the filter at a point of contact, and the filter substantially resists the outlet needle from piercing through the filter during a brewing process.

A beverage filter cartridge for use in a single serve beverage brewing machine, the cartridge including a sleeve with a cup-shaped filter pouch containing a beverage material sealed to the inside thereof proximate to a top end. The top end includes a flange to which a cover is sealed. A bottom cover of the sleeve seals the cartridge and to prevent spoilage of the beverage material by atmospheric oxygen. The cartridge includes a filter bag with a dry beverage material. The inner surface of the sleeve has a series of vertically oriented channels which allow for the brewed beverage to flow out of the sides of the filter hag and down the channels before exiting the cartridge at the bottom. The brewed beverage can flow out of the bottom of the cartridge either via the side of the filter bag through the channels or through the bottom of the filter bag.

A hot beverage brewing apparatus. A pressurized hot liquid delivery system provides liquid under pressure within a range of acceptable brewing temperatures without any mechanical pump. Water is apportioned into sealable tank volumes, one of which is heated to boil the liquid and produce steam under pressure. The pressurized steam displaces the liquid from the tank volumes in proportion and at a temperature that is within the acceptable brewing range. The hot liquid under pressure is directed to a capsule receiving station to infuse a material in a capsule. The capsule dispenses the brewed beverage without contacting the brewing apparatus.

A single serving beverage filter cartridge is formed by placing a single serving portion of brewing material into a reusable coffee holder having a lid and a base. The reusable coffee holder includes a recessed annular region at the bottom of a base of the holder and is insertable into a cartridge housing of a single serving coffee maker having an offset needle reaching up vertically from the base of the housing, the recessed annular region avoiding the offset bottom needle. The coffee holder defines a frustoconical exterior and includes mesh filtering material for retaining brewing material inside the coffee holder. The mesh material may be a metal mesh or plastic mesh. The reusable coffee holder is configured for use in single serving coffee makers having the offset bottom needle and designed for single use cartridges.

Proposed is a coffee machine for brewing coffee powder pre-packed in a cartridge. For perforating the cartridge, the bottom of the brewing chamber is provided with inclined perforator members which provide the cartridge with elongate slots that have a greater cross section than the cross section of the particular perforator member. A brewing chamber housing receives two chamber portions delimiting the brewing chamber. The upper chamber portion is adapted to vertically support the cartridge and biased by a spring. For closing the chamber, the brewing chamber housing is raised against a closure piston. The closure piston entering the brewing chamber moves the upper chamber portion against the force of the spring downwards towards the lower chamber portion. In the final position of the brewing chamber housing, the front portion of the cartridge is hydraulically sealed with regard to the rear portion of the chamber by sealing members. For brewing the coffee powder, the chamber is hydraulically subjected to an overpressure by the brewing water in such a way that the brewing water flows through the perforations into the interior of the cartridge. The front of the cartridge is perforated by a closure member provided with projections, such that the brewed coffee beverage can escape through the so created openings and flow to a beverage outlet.

A dispensing apparatus for hot beverages is provided with means (4,5) to filter hot pressurised water through ground edible ingredients such as coffee, tea or herbal remedies in a chamber, means (17,18,20) of monitoring real-time data concerning brewing parameters; a controlling unit (16) comprising means of storing data, means of comparing the real-time data to a set of stored data and / or threshold parameters, stored in the controller's memory associated with the brewing system, to determine whether a correction to the parameters should be made, and means (8,9,24) of altering at least one of the relevant brewing parameters, when required to bring said real time parameter in line with said recorded parameter to obtain consistent high quality of the dispensed beverage.

An automatic beverage brewing apparatus is described. The automatic beverage brewing apparatus includes a controllable brewing device and a controllable brewing substance dispenser communicating with the brewing device. The automatic beverage brewing apparatus includes a housing in which at least one receptacle is retained proximate the brewing device for receiving brewed beverage from the brewing device. A plurality of controllable dispense valves are provided for controlling the flow of brewed beverage from the brewing device to the receptacles. Each receptacle includes a controllable outlet valve for automatically dispensing brewed beverage from the receptacle and a controllable disposal valve for automatically emptying the receptacle of brewed beverage. Each receptacle is supported on a weight sensing device which generates a weight control signal relating to the weight of brewed beverage retained in the receptacle. A controller receives the weight control signals and determines in response to each weight control signal the volume of brewed beverage retained within in a receptacle. The controller operates the dispensing valves, controllable outlet valves, and controllable disposal valves in accordance with the determined volumes.

The present invention provides a unique process and system for brewing beverages for retail or commercial use where the key brewing parameters are independently controlled to produce multi-cup batches of brewed beverage of optimum taste. This invention is applicable to both retail and commercial applications and is scalable in quantities ranging from one cup to three gallons or more of brewed beverage. Since the extraction and solid-liquid separation are conducted separately and independently, the present invention decouples these two operations to avoid reduction in taste quality while still being able to provide large multi-cup batches.

A brewing apparatus for infusing compacted ground coffee in a grounds cup at a brewing station with heated water under pressure. At a brewing station, a piston head with an active seal that is spaced from the grounds cup wall during motion, extends into the grounds cup. When the piston head begins to compact the ground coffee it activates the seal to form a sealed upper end of a brewing chamber. Hot water is admitted to the brewing chamber to produce the coffee. When the brewing cycle is completed, the piston head displaces further to force additional coffee from the grounds. Then the piston head retracts to allow the infusion chamber assembly to be removed for cleaning.

A multifunctional beverage machine designed for automatically making various kinds of hot drinks, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soups, and incorporates an advanced microprocessor control system such that multifunctional appliance operation can be easily be achieved via a one-touch button. The multifunctional beverage machine may include a removable water tank can hold a sufficient capacity of water so that the machine can make many cups of various drinks without refill. In addition, the multifunctional beverage machine has two or more independent brewing chambers installed in the machine allowing it to make different kinds or different combination of drinks in one operation.

A brewing device can include a pump and a heater configured to deliver heated water to a beverage ingredient receiving assembly. The brewing device can include a controller to regulate the operation of the various components and to interface with the user. The beverage ingredient receiving assembly can have a lid portion secured to a corresponding lower portion using a latching mechanism. A shower head can be used to distribute the heated water over the beverage ingredient and can be configured to maintain the filter or other brewed item within the filter tray after a beverage has been brewed. A handle positioned on the lid portion can be used to control the latch mechanism and position of the shower head relative to the adjacent filter tray. The filter tray has a plurality of diversion members configured to optimize the contact time between the heated liquid and the beverage ingredient.

A beverage appliance includes a housing having a liquid reservoir, a brewing station disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, a grinding station disposed within the housing and being functionally separate from said brewing station, and a brewing carriage being selectively movable between a first position adjacent the grinding station and a second position adjacent the brewing station. Movement of the brewing carriage between the first and second position shifts a beverage ingredient in the brewing carriage from the first position to the second position and when the brewing carriage is in the in said second position, liquid is dispensed from the liquid reservoir and directed to the brewing carriage to produce a brewed beverage.

A combination grinder and brewer for grinding of coffee beans and delivering ground coffee to a brewing chamber for the brewing of a coffee beverage includes a fan for creating a positive pressure air blanket at the interface between the delivery system and the brewing chamber so as to minimize movement of moistened air from the brewing chamber into the delivery system.

An apparatus for brewing ground, brewable foodstuffs having a water reservoir, a boiler, and a flow meter all connected in a common fluid path with a pump that produces a fluid pressure in the common fluid path. A pod holder capable of receiving a pod formed of filter material and containing a mass of ground, brewable foodstuffs having a sieved bottom is located so as to receive the metered volume of water from the common fluid path. In turn, an interchangeable or pivotally mounted fluid conduit is positioned to receive fluid passing through the sieved bottom and to convey the fluid into one or more cups. With this apparatus a small quantity of a brewed liquid, such as coffee, can be produced in a relatively short brewing period with a pleasing taste profile. The fluid pressure may also be adjusted so as to enhance the creation of a crema layer in a coffee drink.

A capsule, including: a casing containing an initial product to be joined to a fluid for making a final product; a nozzle associated with the casing and having a longitudinal side wall and a first end provided with a first opening suitable to engage a fluid injecting arrangement of a brewing machine, said longitudinal side wall being provided with at least one outflow opening connected to the first opening through a first duct for dispensing said fluid in the cavity in a injecting step; and a mixing element rotatably coupled with the nozzle at the outflow opening and shaped in such a manner as to divert at least one jet of fluid coming from the outflow opening and be rotated by said jet around said nozzle so as to create inside said cavity a vortex flow of fluid and product.

A capsule system for preparing beverages by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifuging brewing device. The system includes a set of different capsules each one for selectively delivering a beverage having specific characteristics that differ from the other capsules of the set. The capsules have a body with a sidewall and a free rim, an upper wall and an extractable or infusible ingredient therein. The capsules are configured with an insertion diameter of the body of the capsule designed for insertion in a rotary capsule holder of the centrifuge brewing device in a referential position, wherein the different capsules in the set having bodies of different storage volumes obtained by a variable depths of the body in the set but the same insertion diameter for all capsules of the set.

The present invention provides a coffee composition for use with a single serve beverage unit. The beverage unit consists of a container having a first structure to enable the introduction of a liquid such as hot water into the container to contact the coffee composition and a second structure to enable the release of a coffee extract out of the container. The coffee composition comprises various coffee ingredients demonstrating an improved property, or an improved balance between two or more of properties, selected from aroma, strength, flavor, cup color, acidity, density, extractability, bed permeability, brewing time, yield, structural integrity, quality consistence and uniformity, and cost-effectiveness. Methods of using such coffees are also disclosed.

A single serving beverage filter cartridge is formed by placing a single serving portion of brewing material into a reusable coffee holder having a lid and a base. The reusable coffee holder includes a recessed region at the bottom of a base of the holder and is insertable into a cartridge housing of a single serving coffee maker having an offset needle reaching up vertically from the base of the housing, the recessed region may be a large annular recessed region or a smaller off-center recessed region thereby avoiding the offset bottom needle. The coffee holder defines a frustoconical exterior and includes mesh filtering material for retaining brewing material inside the coffee holder. The mesh material may be a metal mesh or plastic mesh. The reusable coffee holder is configured for use in single serving coffee makers having the offset bottom needle and designed for single use cartridges.

A stirring coffee press for brewing beverage grounds, such coffee or tea, while simultaneously compressing and agitating the grounds in a single container. The stirring coffee press includes a container with a fitted lid, a plunger assembly slidably and rotatably received within the container and being attached to a hollow shaft which extends out through an opening in the lid, and a blade assembly attached to a shaft that extends and exits through the hollow shaft of the plunger assembly. The hollow shaft of the plunger assembly has a handle attached to the end of the hollow shaft, wherein the plunger handle is adapted to be received and retained into the aperture in the lid, thereby preventing the plunger assembly from rotating. The blade assembly shaft has a knob attached to its open end allowing the blade assembly to be freely rotated.

A method and system for brewing a desired volume of coffee at a selected brew time, in which a volume of water corresponding to the desired volume of coffee is heated and directed into contact with coffee grounds in a brewing chamber. Contact between at least a portion of the heated water and the coffee grounds is maintained for approximately the selected brew time to form brewed coffee. The brewing time, however, is substantially independent of the desired volume of coffee to be brewed and is controlled by control of the rate at which heated liquid flows into or out of the brewing chamber. At the expiration of the brewing time, brewed coffee is released through an opening in the brewing chamber and into an underlying receptacle.

A drink brewer is operable to hold brewable grounds in either an open filter or an enclosed capsule and brew a drink using the grounds. The drink brewer includes a water dispensing station and a brew basket structure. The water dispensing station includes a water nozzle to dispense water onto the grounds. The brew basket structure presents a brew chamber. The brew basket structure is shiftable between an open filter brewing configuration and a capsule brewing configuration.

The invention relates to a disposable brewing device including at least one contact volume connectable with at least one target volume, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume being separated by at least one filter arrangement, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume defining at least one predefined flow path through filter arrangement.

A coffee maker with combined milling stage and brewing stage is provided. The coffee maker includes a shaft, a brewing basket, a chopping blade and a locking mechanism. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis and is capable of being rotated about the axis. The brewing basket is adapted to receive coffee beans and hot water. The brewing basket includes a sleeve. A portion of the shaft is movably fitted within the sleeve. The brewing basket is capable of being rotated about the axis. The chopping blade is attached to an end of the shaft and positioned within the brewing basket. The locking mechanism is adapted to lock the brewing basket and unlock the brewing basket. When the brewing basket is locked, rotation of the shaft drives the chopping blade to rotate about the axis to mill the coffee beans to produce milled coffee powder. When the brewing basket is unlocked, rotation of the shaft generates frictional forces on the brewing basket to drive the brewing basket to rotate to generate centrifugal forces, causing the hot water to penetrate the milled coffee powder to produce brewed coffee.

The present invention relates to a new method for brewing beer comprising the addition of polyphenol-rich extracts prepared from hops at specific steps during or after the brewing process. The method enhances the mouthfeel, the reducing power and the stability of beer. Furthermore, beers comprising the polyphenol-rich extracts are provided.