Method and apparatus for brewing a fluid extract using an inclined filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles

• US 6,245,371 B1
• Filed: 03/02/1999
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adam Ekonomon, Jeannette L. Knudsen, Folgers Coffee Company The (The J. M. Smucker Company)
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Gutwein, Roger William, Dawson, Amy Suzanne, Howell, Charles Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Weier, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US09/260,280
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 426/430, 426/433, 426/435, 426/436, 426/77
• US Class Current: 426/433
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/057 with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0642 specially adapted to cooperate with a cartridge, e.g. having grooves or protrusions to separate cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber A47J31/0668 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles. One step is supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch partially filled with flavor extractable particles such that the pouch is inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30° to about 90° so that the particles accumulate at a bottom end of the filter pouch. Another step is directing brew water to near an upper end of the filter pouch above the particles. The brew water enters the filter pouch without the need for an opening in the pouch, and drops to infiltrate the particles. The particles are partially fluidized by and suspended in the brew water and they rise with the brew water into an empty portion of the filter pouch without a need for opposing sides of the filter pouch to separate to generate internal space. A further step includes brewing a fluid extract from the particles in the filter pouch and discharging the fluid extract from the filter pouch. The filter pouch has sufficient exit area that a fluid extract discharge rate matches a rate of brew water entry into the filter pouch when a fluid head is produced inside the filter pouch which is at least as great as a vertical depth of particles in the filter pouch.

Claims

1. A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles comprising the steps of:

a) supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch, said filter pouch being partially filled with flavor extractable particles and inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30°

to about 90°

such that said particles accumulate at a bottom end of said filter pouch;

b) directing brew water to near an upper end of said filter pouch above said particles, said brew water entering said filter pouch, said brew water infiltrating said particles, said particles being partially fluidized by and suspended in said brew water, said particles rising with said brew water into an empty portion of said filter pouch without a need for opposing sides of said filter pouch to separate to generate internal space; and

c) brewing a fluid extract from said particles in said filter pouch and discharging said fluid extract from said filter pouch, said filter pouch having sufficient exit area that a fluid extract discharge rate matches a rate of brew water entry into said filter pouch when a fluid head is produced inside said filter pouch which is at least as great as a vertical depth of particles in said filter pouch, wherein said step of directing brew water to near an upper end of said filter pouch uses a brew water conduit in contact with an outer surface of said filter pouch to reduce surface tension thereat as brew water flows over or through said conduit, such that said brew water enters said filter pouch with minimal resistance, thereby minimizing brew water running off said outer surface of said filter pouch.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said filter pouch is supported in a brew basket by a fluid-permeable support member and said method further comprises the step of draining said fluid extract from said brew basket at a rate sufficient to prevent a pool of fluid extract contacting said bottom end of said filter pouch so that said fluid extract discharge rate remains substantially undisturbed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said brew water conduit comprises a plurality of flexible fingers in fluid communication with a brew water reservoir having drain holes therethrough, said flexible fingers contacting said outer surface of said filter pouch as brew water flows over said fingers from said drain holes to said outer surface.

4. A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles, said method comprising the steps of:

a) supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch, said filter pouch being partially filled with flavor extractable particles and inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30°

to about 90°

such that said particles accumulate at a bottom end of said filter pouch;

b) directing brew water to near an upper end of said filter pouch above said particles using a plurality of flexible fingers in fluid communication with a brew water reservoir having drain holes therethrough, said flexible fingers contacting an outer surface of said filter pouch to reduce surface tension thereat as said brew water flows over said fingers from said drain holes and onto and into said filter pouch, minimizing brew water running off said outer surface of said filter pouch, said brew water infiltrating said particles, said particles being partially fluidized by and suspended in said brew water, said particles rising with said brew water into an empty portion of said filter pouch; and

c) brewing a fluid extract from said particles in said filter pouch and discharging said fluid extract from said filter pouch, said filter pouch having sufficient exit area that a fluid extract discharge rate matches a rate of brew water entry into said filter pouch when a fluid head is produced inside said filter pouch which is at least as great as a vertical depth of particles in said filter pouch.