Brew chamber for a single serve beverage brewer

• US 7,347,138 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2004
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Keurig, Inc. (Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lai, C. Anthony, Bragg, Tim A., Streeter, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US10/924,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20050126400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: 992/95, 992/89.R, 993/02.R, 992/79, 993/00
• US Class Current: 99/289.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0673 Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3633 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3676 Cartridges being employed
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3695 Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673

Abstract

A brew chamber for a single serve filter package. The chamber includes a receptacle having an open top, configured and dimensioned to receive the package. A frame for supporting the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first axis between a vertical brew position and a forwardly inclined open position. A lid is supported on the frame for pivotal movement about a second axis between a raised position allowing access to the open top when the receptacle is in the open position, and a lowered position closing the open top when the receptacle is in the brew position. The receptacle is linked to the lid such that the receptacle is pivoted between the brew and open positions in response to movement of the lid between the lowered and raised positions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming a beverage, comprising:

a housing adapted to support components of a beverage forming device;

a receptacle movable relative to the housing between a vertical position and an inclined position in which the receptacle is accessible to insert or remove a beverage cartridge;

a lid that covers at least part of the receptacle when the receptacle is in the vertical position;

a handle that is movable between open and closed positions to cause the receptacle to move between the vertical and inclined positions; and

at least one resilient element arranged to resiliently hold the handle in the closed position, wherein the at least one resilient element remains deflected when the handle is in the closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient element includes a portion of the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient element includes a cantilevered portion of the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion attached to the handle contacts the at least one resilient element as the handle is moved to the closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the lid cooperates with the receptacle in the vertical position to at least partially enclose a beverage cartridge carried by the receptacle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein movement of the handle between the open and closed positions causes the lid to move between the open and closed positions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one resilient member includes a portion of the housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one arm attached to the handle; and

at least one link pivotally mounted to the housing and pivotally mounted to the at least one arm.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein movement of the handle causes movement of the at least one arm.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid and is fixed relative to the at least one arm.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a portion of the at least one arm contacts the resilient member as the handle is moved to the closed position.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is movable relative to the housing, the apparatus further comprising a linkage that causes movement of the receptacle in response to movement of the lid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein movement of the handle causes movement of the lid.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the linkage includes at least one pin attached to the lid that engages with a slot formed in the receptacle.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the apparatus further comprising an inlet probe that is arranged to pierce a beverage cartridge in the receptacle when the lid is moved to the closed position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the receptacle is arranged to receive a filter pod.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an outlet probe arranged to pierce a beverage cartridge in the receptacle to allow a beverage to exit the cartridge.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a beverage cartridge that includes a beverage medium and a filter element.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the lid and receptacle move simultaneously in at least part of their respective movement between the open and closed, and vertical and inclined positions.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, constructed and arranged to produce a brewed beverage.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is movable between a vertical position and a forwardly inclined position.

22. An apparatus for forming a beverage, comprising:

a housing adapted to support components of a beverage forming device;

a receptacle movable relative to the housing between a vertical position and an inclined position in which the receptacle is accessible to insert or remove a beverage cartridge;

a lid that covers at least part of the receptacle when the receptacle is in the vertical position;

a handle that is movable between open and closed positions to cause the receptacle to move between the vertical and inclined positions; and

at least one resilient element arranged to resiliently hold the handle in the closed position, wherein the at least one resilient element, when deflected, urges the lid and the receptacle apart relative to one another.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein a portion attached to the handle contacts the at least one resilient element as the handle is moved to the closed position.