Methods for utilizing delayed dilution, mixing and filtering to provide customized varieties of fresh-brewed coffee on demand

• US 7,455,867 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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, Connor, Christopher Wade
• Primary Examiner(s): WEIER, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US09/638,570
• Time in Patent Office: 3,025 Days
• Field of Search: 992/75, 993/07, 992/80, 426/594
• US Class Current: 426/594
• CPC Class Codes: A23F 5/243 Liquid, semi-liquid or non-dried semi-solid coffee extract preparations; Coffee gels; Liquid coffee in solid capsules A23F5/246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A23F 5/26 Extraction of water-soluble constituents A23F5/246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/40 Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/41 of liquid ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/521 the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation

Abstract

An improved system for providing an individually customized fresh brewed coffee beverage on demand by a consumer, in a wide range of variety and strength. Said brewing system for making relatively large quantities of fresh brewed coffee beverages (in particular, customized as to desired variety, body, character and/or strengths), as chosen by multiple individual consumers just prior to their consumption. Said system is easy to use by the consumer or other individual (e.g., restaurant wait staff) obtaining the customized beverage. Further, maintenance of the equipment requires only a small amount of personal attention by the owner/operator of the equipment. A general object of the present invention is to utilize “delayed dilution” of a concentrated extract to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective dilution (based on individual consumer'"'"'s selections) of a fresh-brewed coffee extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before dilution.

Claims

1. A process for making a brewed coffee beverage comprising:

a) brewing a coffee extract in a brewer;

b) storing the coffee extract in the brewer in contact with coffee grounds for from about 5 minutes to about 48 hours after onset of brewing the extract;

c) preparing the coffee beverage by filtering a first portion of said stored coffee extract thereby creating a first filtered extract and a second extract wherein the second extract is left in contact with the coffee grounds and is of a sufficient amount to prepare at least a second coffee beverage;

d) diluting a portion of said first filtered extract after the coffee extract has been stored in the brewer for from about 5 minutes to about 48 hours; and

e) dispensing a portion of said first filtered extract after diluting.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract stored in contact with the grounds is sealed from oxygen.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the portion of coffee extract is diluted with water at a coffee:

water ratio of from about 1;

1 to about 1;

15.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the portion of coffee extract is diluted about 5 minutes to about 48 hours after filtering but before dispensing.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein the portion of coffee extract is diluted with water at a coffee:

water ratio of from about 1;

1 to about 1;

15.

6. The process of claim 1 comprising filtering the portion of coffee extract at least about 15 minutes after onset of brewing the coffee extract.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is stored in the brewer for less than about 24 hours after onset of brewing the coffee extract.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract has brew solids of from about 1.2% to about 10%.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is brewed using from about 1100 milliliters to about 4500 milliliters of water.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract has a water to dry coffee ratio of from about 5:

1 to about 24;

1, by weight of the water and dry coffee.

11. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is brewed using from about 76.5 grams to about 410 grams of coffee.

12. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee beverage has brew solids of from about 0.35% to about 1.5%.

13. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is stored at less than about 170°

F. after filtering but prior to dilution.

14. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is stored at a temperature of greater than about 170°

F. prior to filtering.

15. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee beverage is dispensed in a serving of from about 200 milliliters to about 500 milliliters.

16. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is brewed using a variety selected from the group consisting of Robusta, Arabica, Columbian, Mexican, Costa Rican, Guatemalan, and combinations thereof.

17. The process of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is brewed using a coffee selected from the group consisting of whole bean, roast and ground, flaked, and combinations thereof.

18. A process of forming a strength customized coffee beverage from a brewer, comprising:

a) brewing a coffee extract;

b) allowing at least a part of the coffee extract to remain in contact with a part of the coffee grounds for from about 5 minutes to about 48 hours, wherein the at least part of the coffee extract is of a sufficient amount to prepare a coffee beverage;

c) storing the coffee extract in the brewer for no more than 48 hours; and

d) diluting the strength customized coffee beverage from at least a portion of the coffee extract stored in the brewer, wherein dilution of the coffee extract occurs starting from about five minutes after the onset of the brewing of the coffee extract up to about 48 hours after the brewing of the coffee extract ends.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein the coffee extract has a brew solids of less than about 10%.

20. The process of claim 19 wherein the coffee extract has a brew solids of less than about 5%.

21. The process of claim 20 wherein the coffee extract has a brew solids of less than about 4%.

22. The process of claim 21 wherein the coffee extract has a brew solids of less than about 3.5%.

23. The process of claim 18 wherein the coffee extract has a minimum brew solids of greater than about 1.2%.

24. The process of claim 23 wherein the coffee extract has a minimum brew solids of greater than about 1.5%.

25. The process of claim 24 wherein the coffee extract has a minimum brew solids of greater than about 2.0%.

26. The process of claim 18 wherein a weight ratio within the coffee extract of water to dry, roast and ground coffee is from about 5:

1 to about 24;

1.

27. The process of claim 26 wherein the weight ratios within the coffee extract of water to dry, roast and ground coffee is from about 8:

1 to 13;

1.

28. The process of claim 18 providing an additional step of selecting desired characteristics of the customized coffee beverage.

29. The process of claim 18, providing an additional step of diluting the coffee extract in accordance with the desired characteristics chosen for the customized coffee beverage.

30. The process of claim 29 wherein the coffee extract may be diluted with water in a ratio of from about 1:

1 to about 1;

15.

31. The process of claim 29 wherein the additional step of diluting the coffee extract occurs starting from about 5 minutes after the brew of the coffee extract up to about 48 hours after the brew of the coffee extract.

32. The process of claim 28 providing an additional step of mixing the coffee extract in accordance with the desired characteristics chosen for the customized coffee beverage.

33. The process of claim 32 wherein the step of mixing the coffee extract occurs starting from about 5 minutes after the brew of the coffee extract up to about 48 hours after the brew of the coffee extract.