Beverage manufacturer

Abstract

The beverage maker includes a water source, a filter holder, and a beverage cartridge holder configured to be disposed between the water source and the filter holder and to provide fluid communication between the water source and the filter holder.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 300,873, filed January 19, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to beverage makers, for example, coffee makers. [Background technology]

[0003] There are a variety of methods for brewing beverages. For example, coffee makers known to the inventors come in a variety of forms and include percolator coffee makers, which generally have a carafe for brewing multiple servings of coffee at a time. Other coffee makers known to the inventors include single-serve coffee makers that use coffee cartridges to brew coffee.

[0004] A statement made in the Background Art should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is made in or associated with the Background Art. The Background Art may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may include a water source that can be used in two modes of the beverage maker, thereby providing a more convenient beverage maker. In some embodiments, a beverage maker may be provided. The beverage maker may include a water source, a filter holder, and a beverage cartridge holder. The beverage cartridge holder may be positioned between the water source and the filter holder and configured to provide fluid communication between the water source and the filter holder. When a beverage cartridge is held by the beverage cartridge holder, beverage may flow out of the beverage cartridge holder through a first outlet of the beverage cartridge holder, and when the beverage cartridge is not held by the beverage cartridge holder, water may flow out of the beverage cartridge holder through a second outlet different from the first outlet of the beverage cartridge holder. The beverage maker may be configured to have a first mode and a second mode, in which in a filter mode no beverage cartridge is held by the beverage cartridge holder and water from the water source is dispensed through the beverage cartridge holder onto a filter held by the filter holder, and in a second mode the water from the water source is dispensed into a beverage cartridge held in the beverage cartridge holder.

[0006] In some embodiments, the water source may be configured to hold a beverage cartridge disposed within said beverage cartridge holder.

[0007] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further comprise a lid in which the water source is disposed, and the lid may comprise a recess for accommodating at least a portion of a beverage cartridge disposed in the beverage cartridge holder.

[0008] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further comprise a beverage cartridge adapter comprising the beverage cartridge holder, the beverage cartridge adapter engaging with a lid or the filter holder.

[0009] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further comprise one or more latches configured to engage the beverage cartridge adapter with the lid or the filter holder, and one or more buttons for releasing the one or more latches.

[0010] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further include a housing body, and the lid and the beverage cartridge adapter may be configured to rotate relative to the housing body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further include a beverage cartridge adapter having the beverage cartridge holder, the beverage cartridge adapter having side guides forming the beverage cartridge holder, and an adapter bottom disposed below the side guides.

[0012] In some embodiments, the side guides may extend upward from the bottom of the adapter and include one or more side outlets. In some embodiments, when no beverage cartridge is held by the beverage cartridge holder, water from the water source may be poured through the beverage cartridge holder and via one or more side outlets onto a filter held by the filter holder. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more side outlets may be formed at a position where the side guide abuts a bottom surface of the beverage cartridge holder.

[0013] In some embodiments, the adapter base may form a showerhead-style fluid dispenser with multiple outlets that fluidly connect the beverage cartridge holder and the filter holder. In some embodiments, the adapter bottom may include a first bottom and a second bottom surrounded by the first bottom in a plan view. The outlets may include a plurality of second bottom outlets disposed in the second bottom. When a beverage cartridge is not held by the beverage cartridge holder, water from the water source may be poured through the beverage cartridge holder via the plurality of second bottom outlets to a filter held by the filter holder.

[0014] In some embodiments, the adapter bottom may include a first bottom and a second bottom surrounded by the first bottom in a plan view, and the outlets may include a plurality of first bottom outlets disposed in the first bottom and a plurality of second bottom outlets disposed in the second bottom.

[0015] In some embodiments, the filter holder may include a filter holder bottom with a bottom outlet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further include a filter basket configured to support a filter, the filter basket being positioned between the filter holder and the beverage cartridge holder. In some embodiments, the beverage maker may further include a beverage cartridge adapter having a plurality of bottom outlets, wherein when no beverage cartridge is held by the beverage cartridge holder, water from the water source may be poured through the beverage cartridge holder and into the filter holder via the plurality of bottom outlets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a beverage maker according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage maker taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

[0019] 3A and 3B show perspective views of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 1 in a first mode according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another example of a beverage maker according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 1 in a second mode according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another example of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of a beverage maker according to one embodiment.

[0024] 6A to 6C show cross-sectional views of an example of use of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 4 in a first mode according to one embodiment.

[0025] 7A to 7C show cross-sectional views of an example of use of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 4 in the second mode according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a beverage maker according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The description of illustrative embodiments according to the principles of the present disclosure is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Any reference to direction or orientation in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein is for convenience of description only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Relative terms such as "bottom," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "upper," "lower," "up," "downward," "top," and "bottom," as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downward," "upwardly," etc.), should be interpreted as referring to the orientation as indicated in the description or drawings at that time. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that a device be configured or operated in a particular orientation, unless explicitly indicated. Similarly, "mounted," "fixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar terms refer to a fixed or attached relationship of structures to each other, either directly or indirectly through intervening structures or movable or fixed attachment members or connections, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by reference to the illustrated embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments that illustrate some possible and non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in combination with other features, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0028] This disclosure describes the best mode of carrying out the presently contemplated invention. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides examples of the disclosure presented solely for illustrative purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, to advise those skilled in the art of the advantages and configuration of the present disclosure. In the various views of the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like or similar parts.

[0029] One embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a beverage maker that extracts flavors from brewing ingredients, such as coffee grounds. While this disclosure primarily describes brewing coffee, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be applied to brewing beverages other than coffee, such as tea or other brewable beverages. "Brewing ingredients" include, but are not limited to, coffee grounds, tea leaves, cocoa, fruit, grains, herbs, or other ingredients used in brewing. Thus, while the beverage maker is described with respect to brewing coffee, it is equally applicable to brewing tea or infusing spirits.

[0030] In one example, the present disclosure may provide a beverage maker that can function in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode (e.g., carafe mode), the beverage maker may brew a beverage by passing water through and distributing brewing ingredients on a filter. In the second mode (e.g., cartridge mode), the beverage maker may brew a beverage using a single-serve beverage cartridge containing the brewing ingredients. Examples of single-serve beverage cartridges include K-CUP® and other single-serve cartridge formats. In one example, a single water source may be used in the first mode and the second mode. This may provide a more convenient beverage maker.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a beverage maker according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage maker taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B show a perspective view of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment in a first mode. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another example of a beverage maker according to one embodiment. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 show the beverage maker in a first mode 801.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3B, the beverage maker 100 may include a housing main body 200, a water tank 210, a water supply passage 220, a lid 230, a water source 231, a filter holder 300, and a beverage cartridge adapter 400. The water tank 210 may be in fluid communication with the water supply passage 220. The lid 230 may be attached to the housing main body 200. The lid 230 may be provided with a recess 239 (see FIG. 3B). The water source 231 may be in fluid communication with the water supply passage 220. In one embodiment, the water source 231 may be disposed in the lid 230. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, the water source 231 may be disposed within the recess 239 of the lid 230. As shown in FIG. 2, the water source 231 may be a needle, but may be any configuration other than a needle. In one embodiment shown in Figure 2, the water supply 231 may extend vertically, but may also extend in a direction other than vertical. Typically, such a vertically extending needle may be used to pierce the lid of a single-serve beverage cartridge during use. In the example shown, the water supply 231 may include a liquid path along the length of the water supply 231.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the filter holder 300 may be disposed within the housing body 200. The filter holder 300 may hold a filter 590 that holds brewing materials, such as coffee grounds, therein or thereon. The filter 590 may be a disposable paper filter. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 8, the filter 590 may be a reusable filter made of, for example, metal mesh or cloth. The filter holder 300 may include a filter holder bottom 330 and a filter holder side 340. The filter holder bottom 330 may be provided with a bottom outlet 331. The filter holder side 340 may extend upward from the filter holder bottom 330. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the filter holder 300 may or may not include a filter basket 370. The filter basket 370 may be configured to support the filter 590. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the filter basket 370 includes a filter holder 300. bottom An outlet 371 may be provided that overlaps with the outlet 331 .

[0034] Figure 5A illustrates a perspective view of the beverage maker of Figure 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another example of the beverage maker shown in Figure 4 according to one embodiment. Figure 5C illustrates a side view of the beverage maker according to one embodiment. Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate the beverage maker in a second mode 802.

[0035] 2 and 5A-5B, the beverage cartridge adapter 400 may be disposed between the filter holder 300 and the water supply source 231. The beverage cartridge adapter 400 may include a beverage cartridge holder 410, an adapter bottom 430, and an exterior surface 450. The beverage cartridge holder 410 may be disposed between the water supply source 231 and the filter holder 300 and configured to provide fluid communication between the water supply source 231 and the filter holder 300. As shown in FIG. 5B, a filter basket 370 may be disposed between the beverage cartridge holder 410 and the filter holder 300. A beverage cartridge 490 may be disposed in the beverage cartridge holder 410. In some embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the beverage cartridge 490 disposed in the beverage cartridge holder 410 may be pierced by the water supply source 231 (e.g., a needle in one example) and positioned relative to the water supply source 231. A beverage cartridge 490 disposed within the beverage cartridge holder 410 may be at least partially accommodated by the recess 239 of the lid 230. The beverage cartridge holder 410 includes a side guide 411 below which the adapter bottom 430 is disposed. The side guide 411 may extend upward from the adapter bottom 430. The side guide 411 may be provided with one or more side outlets 413.

[0036] 5A and 5C, in the second mode 802, a platform 899 may be positioned below the filter holder 300 and hold a container 812, such as a coffee mug, above the base plate. In other embodiments, the beverage maker may not include a platform, and the container 812 may rest directly on the base plate. In any event, as shown, in the second mode 802, the carafe 811 used in the first mode 801 may be replaced with a mug or other container 812 used in the second mode, since this mode is used with a single-serve cartridge.

[0037] In some embodiments, adapter bottom 430 may form a showerhead-type fluid dispenser, as shown in Figures 2 and 3B. In some embodiments, adapter bottom 430 may be integrally formed with beverage cartridge holder 410. In other embodiments, adapter bottom 430 may not be integrally formed with beverage holder 410, but may be separate components, as shown in Figure 8. In some embodiments, adapter bottom 430 may be A second bottom portion 432; No. 2 bottom 43 2 Surrounded by 1 bottom 43 1 In the example shown, 1 bottom Section 431 and Section 2 bottom The first and second bottom portions 431 and 432 are different portions of a single adapter bottom 430 (e.g., a single circular plate) that can form a shower head-type fluid dispenser. The first bottom portion 431 is a portion located inside the beverage cartridge holder 410, and the second bottom portion 432 is a portion located outside the beverage cartridge holder 410. In one example, the first bottom portion 431 may be circular, and the second bottom portion 432 may be ring-shaped. The shapes of the first and second bottom portions 431 and 432 are not limited to these examples and may be other shapes.

[0038] The showerhead fluid dispenser formed by the adapter bottom 430 may be provided with a plurality of outlets 4310 providing fluid communication between the beverage cartridge holder 410 and the filter holder 300. This fluid communication may be achieved via side outlets 413 in the side guides 411. The plurality of outlets 4310 may include a plurality of first bottom outlets 4311 in the first bottom 431 and a plurality of second bottom outlets 4312 in the second bottom 432. In one example, the plurality of outlets 4310 may include only the first bottom outlet 4311. In another example, shown in FIG. 5B, the plurality of outlets 4310 may include only the second bottom outlet 4312. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5B, some embodiments may include a bottom needle 437 that penetrates the adapter bottom 430. The bottom needle 437 may have a liquid path along the length of the bottom needle 437. The outer surface 450 may extend upward from the adapter bottom 430. Similar to when the water supply source 231 is in the form of a needle, the bottom needle 437 may be used to pierce the bottom of the single-serve beverage cartridge 490 in the second mode 802.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 3A , the beverage cartridge adapter 400 may be engaged with the lid 230. In one embodiment, the lid 230 and the beverage cartridge adapter 400 may be configured to rotate together relative to the housing body 200. The beverage maker 100 may include a latch configured to engage the beverage cartridge adapter 400 with the lid 230. Referring to FIG. 5A , the beverage cartridge adapter 400 may be engaged with the filter holder 300. In one embodiment, the lid 230 may be configured to rotate relative to the beverage cartridge adapter 400 and the housing body 200. The beverage maker 100 may be configured to engage the beverage cartridge adapter 400 with the lid 230 and / or to engage the beverage cartridge adapter 400 with the filter holder 300. The beverage maker 100 may further include one or more buttons 501 (see FIGS. 1 , 3A and 5A ) that may release the latch. In some embodiments, one button 501 releases one latch, exposing the filter holder 300 for a first mode 801 (e.g., carafe mode). In some embodiments, the other button 501 releases the other latch, exposing the top of the beverage cartridge adapter 400 for a second mode 802 (e.g., cartridge mode).

[0040] 6A to 6C show cross-sectional views of an example of use of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 4 in first mode 801 according to one embodiment.

[0041] 6A-6B, when the beverage maker 100 is in the first mode 801 (e.g., carafe mode), a container 811 (see also FIG. 3A) may be positioned below the filter holder bottom 330 of the filter holder 300. The container 811 may be a carafe, but may also be any other container capable of storing liquid. In some embodiments, when the beverage maker 100 is in the first mode 801, a user can press one of the buttons 501 (see FIG. 1) to release one of the latches to expose the filter holder 300. When the beverage maker 100 is in the first mode 801, the beverage cartridge adapter 400 and the lid 230 are attached to each other and configured to rotate together relative to the housing body 200 to open the beverage maker 100. Next, beverage ingredients may be placed on the filter 590, and the filter 590 may be placed in the filter basket 370, as shown in FIG. 6B. Next, the filter basket 370 holding the filter 590 may be placed in the filter holder 300. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C , after the beverage maker 100 is closed, heated water pumped from the water supply tank 210 through the water supply passage 220 is poured from the water supply source 231 into the beverage cartridge holder 410. The heated water in the beverage cartridge holder 410 is then poured onto the beverage ingredients through the outlet 4310 of the adapter bottom 430, thereby extracting the beverage. In this way, the adapter bottom 430 with the outlet 4310 functions as a showerhead-type fluid dispenser. The extracted beverage is then poured into the container 811 through the outlets 331 and 371.

[0042] 7A-C show cross-sectional views of an example of use of the beverage maker shown in FIG. 4 in second mode 802 according to one embodiment.

[0043] 7A-7B, when the beverage maker 100 is in the second mode 802 (e.g., cartridge mode), a container 812 (see also FIG. 5A) may be placed on a platform 899 below the filter holder bottom 330 of the filter holder 300. The container 812 may be a cup or mug, or any other container capable of storing liquid. In some embodiments, when the beverage maker 100 is in the second mode 802, a user may press the other of the latch-release buttons 501 (see FIG. 1) to expose the top of the beverage cartridge adapter 400. The lid 230 is then rotated relative to the housing body 200 to open the beverage maker 100, as shown in FIG. 7B. The beverage cartridge adapter 400 remains seated on the filter holder 300. A beverage cartridge 490 containing beverage ingredients may then be placed in the beverage cartridge holder 410 of the beverage cartridge adapter 400. 7C , after the beverage maker 100 is closed, the water supply source 231 (e.g., a needle in one example) penetrates the top of the beverage cartridge 490 placed in the beverage cartridge holder 410, and the bottom needle 437 penetrates the bottom of the beverage cartridge 490. Heated water pumped from the water supply tank 210 through the water supply passage 220 is poured from the water supply source 231 onto the beverage ingredients in the beverage cartridge 490 to extract a beverage. The extracted beverage is then poured into the container 812 through the bottom needle 437 and the outlets 331 and 371.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the beverage cartridge holder 410 may be disposed between the water supply source 231 and the filter holder 300 and configured to be in fluid communication between the water supply source 231 and the filter holder 300. Thus, the common water supply source 231 may be used in both a first mode 801 in which beverage ingredients are disposed on the filter 590 in the filter holder 300, and a second mode 802 in which the beverage cartridge 490 is disposed in the beverage cartridge holder 410. This may provide a more convenient beverage maker.

[0045] While the present invention has been described at some length and with certain particularity in terms of several illustrated embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to those particulars, embodiments, or specific embodiments, but rather should be interpreted with reference to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and thus effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Moreover, while the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments that were contemplated by the inventors and for which enabling descriptions were available, substantial variations of the invention not presently anticipated may also represent equivalents of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water source, and A filter holder; a beverage cartridge holder disposed between the water supply and the filter holder and configured to provide fluid communication between the water supply and the filter holder; When a beverage cartridge is held by the beverage cartridge holder, beverage flows out of the beverage cartridge holder through a first outlet of the beverage cartridge holder; When the beverage cartridge is not held by the beverage cartridge holder, water flows out of the beverage cartridge holder through a second outlet different from the first outlet of the beverage cartridge holder. A beverage manufacturer characterized by:

2. A water supply source; A filter holder; a beverage cartridge holder disposed between the water supply and the filter holder and configured to provide fluid communication between the water supply and the filter holder; a first mode in which no beverage cartridge is held by the beverage cartridge holder and water from the water supply is poured through the beverage cartridge holder onto a filter held by the filter holder; a second mode in which the water from the water source is dispensed into the beverage cartridge held in the beverage cartridge holder; and configured to have A beverage manufacturer characterized by:

3. the water supply is configured to secure the beverage cartridge held by the beverage cartridge holder; 3. The beverage maker according to claim 1 or 2.

4. further comprising a lid on which the water source is disposed; the lid has a recess for accommodating at least a portion of the beverage cartridge held by the beverage cartridge holder; 4. The beverage maker according to claim 3.

5. a beverage cartridge adapter having the beverage cartridge holder; the beverage cartridge adapter engages with the lid or the filter holder; 5. The beverage maker according to claim 4.

6. one or more latches configured to engage the beverage cartridge adapter with the lid or the filter holder; and one or more buttons for releasing the one or more latches.

6. The beverage maker according to claim 5.

7. It also includes a housing body. the lid and the beverage cartridge adapter are configured to rotate relative to the housing body; 6. The beverage maker according to claim 5.

8. a beverage cartridge adapter having the beverage cartridge holder; The beverage cartridge adapter includes side guides that form the beverage cartridge holder, and an adapter bottom located below the side guides.

2. The beverage maker according to claim 1.

9. the side guide extends upward from the adapter bottom and has one or more side outlets, the one or more side outlets being one or more of the second outlets; 9. The beverage maker according to claim 8.

10. the adapter base defines a showerhead fluid dispenser with a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the beverage cartridge holder and the filter holder.

9. The beverage maker according to claim 8.

11. the adapter bottom portion includes a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion that is surrounded by the first bottom portion in a plan view; the plurality of outlets include a plurality of first bottom outlets disposed at the first bottom and a plurality of second bottom outlets disposed at the second bottom; 11. The beverage maker according to claim 10.

12. the filter holder includes a filter holder bottom having a bottom outlet; 2. The beverage maker according to claim 1.

13. further comprising a filter basket configured to support the filter; The filter basket is disposed between the filter holder and the beverage cartridge holder.

13. The beverage maker of claim 12.

14. When the beverage cartridge is not held by the beverage cartridge holder, water from the water supply source is poured through the beverage cartridge holder and via the one or more side outlets onto the filter held by the filter holder.

10. The beverage maker according to claim 9.

15. At least one of the one or more side outlets is formed at a position where the side guide contacts the bottom surface of the beverage cartridge holder.

10. The beverage maker according to claim 9.

16. The adapter bottom has a first bottom and a second bottom that is surrounded by the first bottom in a plan view, the plurality of outlets include a plurality of second bottom outlets disposed in the second bottom; when the beverage cartridge is not held by the beverage cartridge holder, water from the water supply is poured through the beverage cartridge holder, via the plurality of second bottom outlets, and onto a filter held by the filter holder.

11. The beverage maker according to claim 10.

17. A beverage cartridge adapter further comprising a plurality of bottom outlets; When the beverage cartridge is not held by the beverage cartridge holder, water from the water supply is poured through the beverage cartridge holder and into the filter holder via the plurality of bottom outlets.

3. The beverage maker according to claim 1 or 2.

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