Method for preventing passing off of a brewed beverage

• US 6,994,879 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Cirigliano, Michael Charles, Mordini, Mauro Dominick
• Primary Examiner(s): WEIER, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US10/723,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20040103792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 426/433, 426/435, 426/82
• US Class Current: 426/433
• 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

This invention is directed to an apparatus for brewing a beverage. The apparatus has a brew funnel, a key and an elevation device so that only one brand of beverage can be brewed to thereby prevent harm and confusion to consumers.

Claims

1. A method for brewing a beverage comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting a filter pack comprising a beverage precursor in to a brew funnel of a beverage brewing apparatus and aligning a filter receiving means of the filter pack onto key means within the brew funnel; and

(b) subjecting the filter pack to water

wherein no key means pierces or perforates the filter pack and further wherein said key means is an interlocking or lock and key fitting which enables the brew funnel to accept one brand of a filter pack with said beverage precursor packed therein.

2. A method for brewing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein the beverage precursor is a coffee precursor or a tea precursor.

3. A method for brewing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein the beverage brewing apparatus displays a brand, and the filter pack is suitable to brew a brand of beverage that matches the brand displayed on the beverage brewing apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the filter pack rests on an elevation device within the brew funnel.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the key means is mounted on the elevation device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the key means is mounted on the brew funnel.