Method of making coffee

Abstract

A method of making coffee, comprising placing ground coffee beans in a basket; in a vessel having an interior wall and a bottom portion, providing a cover adapted to be positioned on the vessel and a shaft extending though a passageway of the cover, the basket being mounted to the shaft such as to allow the basket to be raised and lowered within the vessel through action of the shaft, the basket having a lip engaging the interior wall of the vessel; keeping a space between an underside of the basket and the bottom portion of the vessel; pouring liquid into the cover in such a way as to soak the ground coffee beans while retaining air in the space between the underside of the basket and the bottom portion of the vessel; moving the basket towards the bottom portion of the vessel so as to cause at least part of the air retained in the space between the underside of the basket and the bottom portion of the vessel to displace infused ground coffee beans while the air rises within the vessel; and raising the basket towards the cover.

Description

[0001] The present patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 445,644 filed on May 27, 2003. The contents of this previous application are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates a method of making coffee. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Infused beverages are highly popular in many parts of the world. In particular, tea and coffee are enjoyed by millions of people on a regular basis. In order to produce a satisfactory cup of tea or coffee, it is typically required to steep a flavoring substance, e.g., ground coffee beans or tea leaves, in hot water. The beans or leaves remain in the brew for a period of time that depends upon the desired strength of the infused beverage, upon which they must be removed lest the infused beverage turn bitter and insipid. [0004] To satisfy avid consumers of infused beverages, the market has seen the emergence of various devices which allow a cup of brewed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a method of making coffee by placing ground coffee beans in a basket and adding liquid to the basket while keeping air in the space between the basket and the bottom of the vessel. The basket is raised and lowered within the vessel to displace the coffee beans with the air as the air rises. The coffee is then brewed by the rising air. The method can be performed using a cover and a shaft, or by creating a fluid-tight engagement between the basket and the vessel. The technical effect is a more efficient and effective coffee brewing process."

Problems solved by technology

However, because the coffee grains remain in the vessel at all times, infusion can only be arrested by the act of pouring the coffee out of the vessel into a mug or cup.

This is highly inconvenient if a mug or cup is not available.

This results in a loss of heat, with the additional problem of messiness, during the infusion process.

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