FILTER MEMBER FOR BREWING COFFEE, APPARATUS AND PRODUCTS COMPRISING SUCH FILTER, METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SUCH FILTER, PRODUCT AND APPARATUS, AND COFFEE BREWING METHODS

Abstract

A refillable brewing cartridge that includes a fixed metal filter, and a paper filter inserted therein, wherein the paper filter is designed to sorb at least part of any essentially oils or aromatics produced during the brewing process, and retain at least a part of any sediment that is produced during the brewing process.

Claims

1. A refillable beverage brewing cup comprising: a body defining a reservoir configured to receive and support brewing material, defining an opening, and defining a exit port defined within the body and providing a fluid exit path from the reservoir; a fixed filter positioned across the exit port and in the fluid exit path; and, a removable sorbent filter positioned within the reservoir and abutting the fixed filter.

2. The cup of claim 1, wherein the removable sorbent filter is elongated and defines openings at each end.

3. The cup of claim 2, wherein the removable sorbent filter comprises paper or cloth.

4. The cup of claim 2, wherein the removable filter comprises paper, and the fixed filter comprises metal.

5. The cup of claim 1, wherein the removable sorbent filter is cylindrically shaped and defining openings at each end.

6. The cup of claim 5, wherein the removable sorbent filter comprises paper or cloth.

7. The cup of claim 5, wherein the removable filter comprises paper, and the fixed filter comprises metal.

8. A beverage brewer comprising: A brewing chamber; A refillable beverage brewing cup, disposed within the brewing chamber, wherein the cup comprises: a body defining a reservoir configured to receive and support brewing material; an exit port defined within the body and providing a fluid exit path from the reservoir; a fixed filter positioned across the exit port and in the fluid exit path; and, a removable sorbent filter positioned within the reservoir and abutting the fixed filter.

9. The brewer of claim 8, wherein the removable sorbent filter is elongated and defines openings at each end.

10. The brewer of claim 9, wherein the removable sorbent filter comprises paper or cloth.

11. The brewer of claim 9, wherein the removable filter comprises paper, and the fixed filter comprises metal.

12. The brewer of claim 8, wherein the removable sorbent filter is cylindrically shaped and defining openings at each end.

13. The brewer of claim 12, wherein the removable sorbent filter comprises paper or cloth.

14. The brewer of claim 12, wherein the removable filter comprises paper, and the fixed filter comprises metal.

15. A method of brewing a beverage with a refillable beverage brewing cup, wherein the cup comprises: a body defining a reservoir configured to receive and support brewing material, defining an opening, and defining a exit port defined within the body and providing a fluid exit path from the reservoir; brewable material positioned in the reservoir; a fixed filter positioned across the exit port and in the fluid exit path; and, a removable sorbent filter positioned within the reservoir and abutting the fixed filter; wherein the method comprises, (a) Introducing heated liquid into the reservoir, which heated liquid forms a beverage after contact with the brewable material; (b) Flowing the beverage through both the removable sorbent filter and the fixed filter, and out the exit port;

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the brewable material is coffee.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the removable sorbent filter is elongated and defines openings at each end.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the removable sorbent filter comprises paper or cloth.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the removable filter comprises paper, and the fixed filter comprises metal.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the removable sorbent filter is cylindrically shaped and defining openings at each end.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the removable sorbent filter comprises paper or cloth.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the removable filter comprises paper, and the fixed filter comprises metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The following drawings illustrate some of the many possible embodiments of this disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of this disclosure. These drawings do not provide an extensive overview of all embodiments of this disclosure. These drawings are not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate or otherwise limit the scope of the claims. The following drawings merely present some concepts of the disclosure in a general form. Thus, for a detailed understanding of this disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have been given like numerals.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an isometric top view, cut away and bottom isometric view of brewing cup 100.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing sorbent filter element 500.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing sorbent filter element 500 positioned above brewing cup 100 for insertion into brewing cup 100.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic showing sorbent filter element 500 being inserted about half-way into brewing cup 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 there is shown single serve system 100 of the present invention.

[0048] The present invention provides a filter member that is intended for use with a brewing cup, provides a disposable or reusable brewing cup that is intended for use with a brewing machine, provides a brewing machine comprising such a brewing cup, and provides methods of making and using such filter member, cup and machine. Various embodiments of the present invention also provide apparatus that includes the brewing machine having such a brewing cup. Examples of suitable brewing machines include that that are commercially available through Keurig and commonly known as K-Cup machines. A number of brewing machines suitable for use with the brewing cups of the present invention, and which may be suitable in forming the apparatus of the present invention, may be found in many of the patents and publications listed herein, including but not limited to U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,189 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765, both issued to Sylvan.

[0049] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a brewing cup that may be utilized in just such machines.

[0050] In one aspect, the present invention provides filter members which are intended to be utilized with a refillable brewing cartridge. It should be understood that various filter members with various degrees of sorbency and/or filtering may be provided. For example, filter members with sorbency ranging from very low to very high, and sediment filtering efficiency ranging from low to high.

[0051] In the present application, sorbency will generally relate to taking up and holding gases, liquids, and dissolved solids, whereas filtering will generally relate to retaining solids For example, coffee liquids and oils will generally pass through the mesh of a metal or plastic filer, whereas coffee liquids and oils will be sorbed by a paper filter. The degree of sorbency will vary depending upon the type of material utilized. Filtering efficiency is generally related to pore size and shape.

[0052] For example, for coffee drinkers desiring less essential oils and/or aromatics but desiring sediment, a filter with higher sorbency and lower sediment filtering efficiency is utilized. As another example, for coffee drinkers desiring less segment but desiring essential oils and/or aromatics, a filter with lower sorbency and higher sediment filtering efficiency is utilized. As even another example, for coffee drinkers wishing to reduce the essential oils, aromatics and sediment, a filter with high sorbency and high sediment filtering efficiency is utilized.

[0053] Any suitable material may be utilized for filter member 500 provided that the desired sorbency and sediment filtering is provided. As a non-limiting example, filter member 500 may comprise paper. Paper is known to do a thorough job in removing particulates, and in sorbing some of the essential oils and aromatics from coffee. Certainly, this will yield a brew with less aroma and perceived body. It is also noted that paper filter thicknesses can be easily varied, as can their constituent fibers; as a result, their impact upon the brew's flavor will differ. Paper filters may also be divided into bleached and natural varieties. The natural filters can impart a taste described as wet cardboard, especially if a lower-quality brand is used. Though once bleached with chlorine, most bleached filters are now whitened with oxygen.

[0054] As another non-limiting example, filter member 500 may comprise cloth. Cloth filter absorption is similar to that of paper filters, with the advantage that they can be rinsed and re-used many times. They should be very well cleaned periodically, or they may transmit off-flavors to the coffee.

[0055] The material selected for Member 500 may be more or less oleophilic, and more or less aquaphilic depending upon the result desired. It may be possible to provide a paper and/or cloth comprising a single that provides the desired properties. Certainly, paper and or cloth may consist of a first fiber that provides the oleophilic property and a second fiber that provides the aquaphilic properties. Such fibers may inherently possess certain oleophilic or aquaphilic property, or may be modified to provide certain properties. In many non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, filter member 500 would have very low aquaphilic properties (perhaps even aquaphobic), and the oleophilic property would depending upon the degree to which one desired to filter out any resulting oils.

[0056] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a disposable or reusable brewing cup that is intended for use with a brewing machine. The cup may be designed to provide a single, multiple, or carafe size serving of a consumable liquid. More particularly, the present invention provides either a permanent or removable sorbent filter member that is positioned within the cup and over the plastic or metal filter residing therein.

[0057] In another aspect, the present invention may provide an apparatus, i.e., a brewing apparatus or system, which includes a brewing machine into which the disposable or reusable brewing cup is placed. The brewing machine will generally have a brewing chamber into which the cup is positioned.

[0058] Non-limiting examples of brewing materials which may be utilized in consumable liquids which may be prepared by the present invention include coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, herbs, seeds, berries, nuts, beans, hulls, shells, husks, vegetable matter, leaves, roots, bullion, consume, medicine, vitamins, supplements, and drink powder.

[0059] Non-limiting examples of consumable liquids which may be prepared with the methods, apparatus and products of the present invention, include coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, herbal drinks, and drinks from berries, seeds, nuts, beans, hulls, shells, husks, vegetable matter, leaves, roots, bullion, consume, medicine, vitamins, supplements, drink powder, and the like.

[0060] Non-limiting examples of products of the present invention, include single serving cups loaded with brewing material such as coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, herbs, seeds, berries, nuts, beans, hulls, shells, husks, vegetable matter, leaves, roots, bullion, consume, medicine, vitamins, supplements, and drink powder.

[0061] Attention is now directed to FIGS. 1-4 with FIG. 1 being a drawing showing an isometric top view, cut away and bottom isometric view of brewing cup 100, with FIG. 2 being a drawing showing sorbent filter element 500, with FIG. 3 being a drawing showing sorbent filter element 500 positioned above brewing cup 100 for insertion into brewing cup 100. Some non-limiting embodiment envision two or more filter elements 500 nested together and positioned within brewing cartridge 100, and with FIG. 4 being a drawing showing sorbent filter element 500 being inserted about half-way into brewing cup 100.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the exact embodiment of brewing cup 100 as shown. Non-limiting examples of brewing cup 100 include those found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20130017303, U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,501, U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,320, U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,871 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,872. It should be understood that the present invention is believed to be useful with about any brewing cup that is now available in the market or that may become available in the market.

[0063] Filter member 500 includes a generally cylindrical body 506 which defines top opening 501 and bottom opening 503. The design of filter member 500 is in sharp contrast to traditional filters which have a sealed bottom. One problem with traditional filters is positioning the filter within the brewing cup, especially if there is a complicated mechanism in the bottom of the filter cup, such as with base 151 as shown in FIG. 1. The present filter member 500 with its open bottom 503 is easily positioned within cup 100 without having to navigate the complex base member 151. Further no prior art single serve refillable cartridges utilize both a sorbent filter in combination with a metal filter, or a removable filter member in combination with the integral metal filter.

[0064] Brewing cup 100 may be disposable or reusable. While brewing cup 100 is preferably a single serving brew cup, in other embodiments it is envisioned that brewing cup 100 may provide multiple servings or even a carafe sized serving, this will all depend upon the size of reservoir 102 which will hold the brewing material, and of course the ability of the machine to receive cup 100. This brewing cup 100 may include a cup body 111, top 101, and base 151. While not necessary, in the embodiment as shown, at least a portion of base 151 being movable within cup body 111 to provide a tamping effect on the contents of cup body 111 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,501. Reservoir 102 is defined by the body 111, top 101 and base 151. Top 101 may include an inlet passage (not shown) for receiving a brewing liquid from the brewing machine providing passage to optional distribution nozzle 135. Many brewing machines will include a tubular injector that is inserted into inlet passage 105 and provides brewing liquid to the cup and this injection may function as a distribution nozzle. Cup body 111 may define one or more passages 107, and base 151 may define one or more passages 157, with these passages allowing brewing liquid to exit cup 100. Cup 100 may include passages 107 or passages 157, or both passages 107 and 157. Flow passages 107 are generally covered with filters 127, and flow passages 157 of base member 151 are generally covered with filters (not shown). These filters may be the same or different filter size and generally restrain the brewing material while allowing the brewing liquid to pass through.

[0065] Brewing cup 100 may further include grip 103 used for opening top 101, seal 122 for sealing top 101 and cup body 111, distribution nozzle 135 in liquid communication with the inlet passage and having one or more outlets 109, and hinge 121. Distribution nozzle 135 is not necessary, as brewing liquid may be provided directly from the brewing machine tubular injector, and this injector may also be provided with one or more outlet passages. Top 101 generally will friction fit to cup body 111.

[0066] In operation, lid 101 is operable to be opened and closed. That is, lid 101 may be operable in an open position to allow refilling of replacement of cup 100, and then operable to reseal cup 100 for brewing. As shown in FIG. 3, with top 101 opened, filter member 500 is inserted into reservoir 102 and into position as shown in FIG. 1.

[0067] During brewing and depending upon its properties, filter member 500 may serve to sorb part or all of any essential oils and/or aromatics, and may retain part or all of any sediments.

[0068] Once brewing is complete, filter member 500 is generally removed, although depending upon the desires of the particular coffee drinker and the condition of filter member 500, it is possible in some instances to utilize filter member more than once.

[0069] Various inventive embodiments of the present invention include the inventive filter member, the inventive refillable cartridge with filter member, a brewing system including the refillable cartridge with filter member, and methods of making and using the foregoing.

[0070] The brewing cups of the present invention are very easily utilized in the known commercially available single serve coffee machines that utilize Keurig's K-Cups or similar cups offered by other coffee companies.

[0071] Some non-limiting method embodiments of the present invention also include apparatus having a set of 2 or more distinct filter members of various sorbency and sediment filtering efficiency.

[0072] Various non-limiting method embodiments of the present invention may include any combination of one or more of insertion of a filter member into a refillable cartridge and into place over the cartridge filter member, removal of a filter member from the refillable cartridge, and/or positioning two or more such filter members into place in the refillable cartridge over the cartridge filter member.

[0073] All of the patents, publications, applications, articles, books, magazines, and any other prior art cited in this specification, are herein incorporated by reference.

[0074] The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope or nature of the claims below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, and/or use of equivalent functional actions for actions described herein. Any insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of the claims below. Regarding the independent claims, it should be understood that other independent claims may be pursued and that the present filing is only being limited to the listed independent claims because of filing fee budget reasons, not because the present invention is to be limited to the listed independent claims. Other independent claims may include other apparatus claims, product claims, composition claims, and method claims as supported by this specification.

[0075] The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope or nature of the claims below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, and/or use of equivalent functional actions for actions described herein. Any insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of the claims below.