Re-usable beverage filter cartridge

• US 6,658,989 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Keurig, Inc. (Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beaulieu, Roderick H., Lazaris, Nicholas G., Sweeney, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, Reginald L.
• Application Number:
  US10/115,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20020148358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 993/23, 993/22, 993/17, 993/04, 993/06, 993/07, 992/95, 993/12, 993/14, 993/15
• US Class Current: 99/315
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/446 Filter holding means; Attachment of filters to beverage-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4475 Hot water outlets for drip coffee makers

Abstract

For use in a single serve beverage brewer in which a measured charge of a dry beverage medium is infused with a metered amount of heated liquid to produce a beverage medium, a reusable beverage filter cartridge is provided for containing the beverage medium and for accommodating an inflow of the heated liquid and an outflow of the beverage medium. The cartridge comprises a cup-shaped housing having a top opening and a closed bottom with an outlet port. A filter internally subdivides the housing into a first chamber accessible via the top opening and configured and dimensioned to contain the beverage medium, and a second chamber communicating with the outlet port. A lid is removably secured to the housing in a position closing the top opening, and an inlet port in the lid serves to admit heated liquid into the first chamber for infusion with the beverage medium contained therein. The filter is permeable to accommodate a flow therethrough of the resulting beverage into the second chamber from which it exits via the outlet port.

Claims

1. For use in a single serve beverage brewer in which a measured charge of a dry beverage medium is infused with a metered amount of heated liquid to produce a beverage medium, a reusable beverage filter cartridge for containing the beverage medium and for accommodating an inflow of said heated liquid and an outflow of said beverage medium, said cartridge comprising:

a cup-shaped housing having a top opening and a closed bottom;

an outlet port in said closed bottom;

a filter internally subdividing said housing into a first chamber accessible via said top opening and a second chamber communicating with said outlet port, said first chamber being configured and dimensioned to contain said beverage medium;

a lid;

means for removably securing said lid to said housing in a position closing said top opening;

an inlet port in said lid for admitting heated liquid into said first chamber for infusion with a beverage medium contained therein, said filter being permeable to accommodate a flow therethrough of the resulting beverage into said second chamber and out through said outlet port; and

baffle means underlying said lid for diffusing the heated liquid received in said first chamber via said inlet port, said baffle means comprising a circular disc having its center aligned with said inlet port, and having an upper surface interrupted by grooves emanating from said center.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein said filter is removably received in said housing.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein said filter includes a circular peripheral lip configured and dimensioned to be supported on a circular ledge surrounding said top opening.