BEVERAGE BREWING

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for brewing coffee are provided. The apparatus may include a first film and a second film. A filter may be disposed between the first film and the second film. The filter may retain an amount of material. The first and second film may be flexible. The first film may be pierced by a brewing needle. The second film may be pierced by a drain needle. The second film may be sealed to the first film along a perimeter defined by the first film. The first film may have a flat configuration. The second film may have a concave surface that faces the first film. The filter may define an annular material holding region. The filter may define a drainage region that is coaxial with the filter. The filter may form a layer parallel to and supported by the first film in an area of the first film that overlies the drainage region.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising: a first film; a second film; and, disposed between the first film and the second film, a filter that is configured to retain an amount of material.

2. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the first film is flexible.

3. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the second film is flexible.

4. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the first film is configured to be pierced by a brewing needle.

5. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the first film includes a vapor barrier.

6. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the second film is configured to be pierced by a drain needle.

7. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the second film includes a vapor barrier.

8. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein: the first film defines a perimeter; and the second film is sealed to the first film along the perimeter.

9. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein: the first film has a flat configuration; and the second film has a concave surface that faces the first film.

10. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the filter defines an annular material holding region.

11. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the filter defines a drainage region.

12. The apparatus of embodiment 11 wherein the drainage region is coaxial with the filter.

13. The apparatus of embodiment 11 wherein the filter forms a layer parallel to and supported by the first film in an area of the first film that overlies the drainage region.

14. The apparatus of embodiment 11 wherein the filter defines a central hole having a perimeter that is coincident with a top of the drainage region.

15. A method of manufacturing a brewing packet, the method comprising: providing a first film; forming an annular well from a filter; attaching the well to the first film; and sealing a second film to the first film to enclose the well.

16. The method of embodiment 15 wherein the sealing includes heat sealing.

17. The method of embodiment 15 wherein the attaching includes heat sealing.

18. The method of embodiment 15 further including, before the sealing, placing beverage material in the well.

Description

[0032] One or more components of a pod may be biodegradable. One or more components of a pod may be compostable.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows in profile view an illustrative packet in accordance with the principles of the invention. The packet may include a top film. The packet may include a bottom film. The bottom film may be heat sealed to the top film at or near a perimeter of the top film. The packet may include a filter. The filter may be formed into an annular well. The well may be filled with coffee grounds. Brewing apparatus (not shown) may cause one or more brewing needles to pierce the top film and provide hot water or any other suitable liquid. The hot water may extract solutes or particles from the coffee grounds. The filter may allow only part of the extracted material to pass into the drain area. A drain (not shown) may pierce the bottom film to allow brewed coffee to drain into a cup.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the packet. A top surface of the packet may have a shape that is square, rectangular, round, or any other suitable shape. The top surface may be formed from the first film.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows the packet in an illustrative brewing apparatus. The brewing apparatus may include one or more brewing needles. The needles may be arranged over the annular well. The brewing apparatus may include a water vessel. The vessel may have an inlet from a water source. The vessel may be configured to heat the water.

[0036] The brewing apparatus may have side walls (not shown). The brewing apparatus may have open sides. The packet may be configured withstand heat and pressure without support from side walls.

[0037] The brewing apparatus may include an outlet drain. The brewing apparatus may include an outlet-drain holder. The brewing apparatus may include a brewing platform. The platform may hold the packet.

[0038] The brewing apparatus may be configured to apply pressure to the packet. The pressure may urge liquid to exit the packet. The pressure may be applied by squeezing the packet between the brewing platform and the water vessel or a different structure opposite the packet from the brewing platform. The pressure may be applied by applying a fluid pressure to the top film from above. The pressure may be applied by applying the fluid pressure inside the packet. The pressure may be applied by applying a fluid pressure to the bottom film from below. The brewed coffee may drain into a receptacle. The receptacle may include a drinking cup, bottle or other suitable receptacle.

[0039] The brewing platform may be configured for collection of liquid from the outlet drain. The outlet drain may be configured to retract after puncturing the second film.

[0040] All ranges and parameters disclosed herein shall be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, every number between the endpoints, and the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more (e.g. 1 to 6.1), and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 2.3 to 9.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 contained within the range.

[0041] Thus, methods and apparatus for lighting have been provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.