Beverage Brewing Device
Patent No. US12245715 (titled "Beverage Brewing Device") was filed by Universal Coffee Llc on Jan 22, 2024.
What is this patent about?
’715 is related to the field of single-serve beverage brewing, specifically addressing the problem of disposable cartridges used in brewers like Keurig machines. These cartridges limit beverage choices and create unnecessary waste. The patent aims to provide a reusable filter cartridge that can be used with any desired dry beverage medium, such as coffee or tea, in existing single-serve brewers.
The underlying idea behind ’715 is to create a reusable brewing device that mimics the function of a disposable cartridge but allows users to fill it with their choice of coffee grounds or tea leaves. This involves a cup-shaped body with a filter to retain the beverage medium, a lid with an opening for water input, and a mechanism to interface with the brewer's inlet and outlet probes. The design focuses on ease of use, cleaning, and compatibility with existing brewing systems.
The claims of ’715 focus on a cup-shaped body with an upper rim, a lower perimeter, and a sidewall. The base and sidewall form an internal volume. The base has a recess configured as an indentation extending into the internal volume. One or more filter areas are defined in at least one of the base or sidewall. A lid is moveable between opened and closed positions, configured to engage with the upper rim in a closed position. The lid has an opening configured to permit transmission of a liquid into the internal volume. One or more protrusions are secured to the upper rim and extend outwardly from the upper rim, the one or more protrusions being distributed around the upper rim.
In practice, the user fills the reusable cartridge with their preferred beverage medium, closes the lid, and inserts the device into the brewer's holster. The brewer's inlet probe pierces the lid, injecting hot water into the cartridge. The water infuses with the beverage medium, and the brewed beverage passes through the filter and into a cup. The protrusions on the upper rim are designed to mate with corresponding features in the brewer, ensuring proper alignment and engagement with the inlet and outlet probes.
The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the reusability and versatility of the cartridge. Unlike disposable cartridges, this device can be used repeatedly with any desired beverage medium. The design also incorporates features like a flat bottom for easy filling, rounded interior edges for easy cleaning, and a dispersion cone in the lid to distribute water evenly over the beverage medium, improving the extraction efficiency and brew quality. The grips on the side also help with heat dissipation.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’715 was filed, single-serve beverage brewers were gaining popularity, at a time when disposable cartridges were commonly used. The design and materials of these cartridges were constrained by the need to withstand hot water and pressure, while also being inexpensive enough for single-use disposal. Reusable filter designs were known, but hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to ensure proper sealing and prevent leakage in a cost-effective manner.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art of record did not show or fairly suggest a beverage brewing device comprising one or more protrusions/grips secured to the upper rim and extending outwardly from the upper rim, the one or more protrusions/grips being distributed around the upper rim, or wherein the one or more protrusions is configured to mate in a correspondingly shaped surface of a beverage brewer, or wherein the one or more protrusions is configured to position the brewing device within a beverage brewer.
Claims
This patent contains 42 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 9, 17, 22, 29, and 36. The independent claims generally focus on a beverage brewing device comprising a cup-shaped body with a lid and filter areas. The dependent claims generally add specific features, materials, or configurations to the brewing device described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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US12245715
- Application Number
- US18419537
- Filing Date
- Jan 22, 2024
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 19, 2031
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents