US3695168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drip coffee maker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-02
•
Granted: 1972-10-03
•
Expires: 1990-06-02
Abstract
Abstract The drip coffee maker makes an aqueous coffee infusion by providing a brewing chamber which has a micro-pore (microscopic openings) filter at the bottom outlet, and water inlet control means which controls the entry of water into the brewing chamber from an upper hot water chamber. With a proper micro-pore outlet filter, fines are prevented from passing therethrough into the finished infusion and, with water inlet control, the grounds are properly wetted for extraction in the optimum time.
Inventors
- 👤 George H Van Brunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:32
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J31/00; A47J31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A drip coffee maker for the brewing of a coffee infusion from coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards comprising: a coffee-brewing chamber for the containment of coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards; an opening in the bottom of said coffee-brewing chamber, said opening being closed by a micro-pore outlet filter, said filter having outlet openings of about 25 microns so as to substantially prevent passage of visible coffee sediment from said brewing chamber but to permit the passage of waterextracted coffee infusion therethrough; and water inlet flow control means in the top of said chamber, said flow control means having a plurality of inlet openings of such size and quantity as both to direct and control the inflow of water into said brewing chamber so that the water flow to the grounds in said chamber is controlled to prevent turbulent lifting of all the grounds from said outlet filter, thus preventing fine sediment from settling on and plugging the micro-pore outlet openings as the coffee infusion passes through the filter so that the length of coffee-brewing time is consistent and uniform, said flow control means being so positioned relative to the grounds in said chamber, and said inlet openings being of said size and quantity, as also to control the upward venting outflow of gases therethrough in such a manner as to limit inflow of water until the coffee grounds are wetted and then to prevent entrapment of gases by freely venting suCh gases therethrough to ensure steady inflow of water into said brewing chamber with respect to the outflow of water-extracted coffee infusion through said micro-pore outlet filter during brewing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
A drip coffee maker for the brewing of a coffee infusion from coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards comprising: a coffee-brewing chamber for the containment of coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards; an opening in the bottom of said coffee-brewing chamber, said opening being closed by a micro-pore outlet filter, said filter having outlet openings of about 25 microns so as to substantially prevent passage of visible coffee sediment from said brewing chamber but to permit the passage of waterextracted coffee infusion therethrough; and water inlet flow control means in the top of said chamber, said flow control means having a plurality of inlet openings of such size and quantity as both to direct and control the inflow of water into said brewing chamber so that the water flow to the grounds in said chamber is controlled to prevent turbulent lifting of all the grounds from said outlet filter, thus preventing fine sediment from settling on and plugging the micro-pore outlet openings as the coffee infusion passes through the filter so that the length of coffee-brewing time is consistent and uniform, said flow control means being so positioned relative to the grounds in said chamber, and said inlet openings being of said size and quantity, as also to control the upward venting outflow of gases therethrough in such a manner as to limit inflow of water until the coffee grounds are wetted and then to prevent entrapment of gases by freely venting suCh gases therethrough to ensure steady inflow of water into said brewing chamber with respect to the outflow of water-extracted coffee infusion through said micro-pore outlet filter during brewing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The coffee maker of claim 1 wherein: said brewing chamber is a hollow chamber having its bottom defined by said outlet filter, said outlet filter being positioned in a filter holder, and said filter holder being screwed onto the body forming said coffee-brewing chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The coffee maker of claim 2 wherein: said body forming said coffee-brewing chamber is a tubular body, said tubular body having a flexible seal flange at its lower end and having exterior threads thereon, said filter holder being threadedly engaged with said exterior threads on said tubular body and engaged with said seal flange so that said filter holder is sealed to said body and all downward-flowing aqueous coffee infusion is constrained to pass through said micropore filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
A drip coffee maker for the brewing of a coffee infusion from coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards comprising: a coffee-brewing chamber for the containment of coffee ground to at least as fine as drip coffee-brewing standards, said coffee-brewing chamber being formed by a hollow tubular body, said tubular body having a flexible seal flange at its lower end and having exterior screw threads thereon, a micro-pore outlet filter positioned on the bottom of said body to define the hollow brewing chamber therein, a filter holder having screw threads thereon, said threads on said filter holder being threadedly engaged with said threads on said tubular body; one of said screw threads on said filter holder and on said coffee-brewing chamber being rectangular in cross section while the other is substantially semi-circular in cross section to minimize inter-thread engagement area, said filter holder being engaged with said seal flange so that said filter holder is sealed to said body and all downward-flowing aqueous coffee infusion is constrained to pass through said micro-pore filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
A drip coffee maker for the brewing of a coffee infusion from coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards comprising: a coffee-brewing chamber for the containment of coffee ground to at least as fine as drip coffee-brewing standards, said coffee-brewing chamber being formed by a hollow tubular body, said tubular body having a flexible seal flange at its lower end and having exterior screw threads thereon, a micro-pore outlet filter positioned on the bottom of said body to define the hollow brewing chamber therein, a filter holder having screw threads thereon, said threads on said filter holder being threadedly engaged with said threads on said tubular body; one of said screw threads on said filter holder and on said coffee-brewing chamber being rectangular in cross section while the other is substantially semi-circular in cross section to minimize inter-thread engagement area, said filter holder being engaged with said seal flange so that said filter holder is sealed to said body and all downward-flowing aqueous coffee infusion is constrained to pass through said micro-pore filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The coffee maker of claim 1 wherein: an upper chamber is positioned above said water inlet flow control means, said upper chamber being of sufficient size to receive hot water for coffee brewing, said upper chamber being separated from said coffee-brewing chamber by said water inlet flow control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
244 words
A drip coffee maker for the brewing of a coffee infusion from coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards comprising: a coffee brewing chamber for the containment of coffee ground to at least as fine as drip coffee-brewing standards; an upper chamber positioned above said coffee-brewing chamber, said upper chamber being of sufficient size to receive hot water for coffee brewing, said upper chamber being separated from said coffee-brewing chamber by water inlet flow control means; an opening in the bottom of said coffee-brewing chamber, said opening being closed by a micro-pore outlet filter, said filter being of such configuration as to substantially retain the ground coffee fines in said brewing chamber but to permit the passage of water-extracted coffee infusion therethrough; and said water inlet flow control means being positioned in the top of said coffee-brewing chamber for controlling the inflow of water into said brewing chamber from said upper chamber so that the water flow to the grounds in said brewing chamber is controlled and the length of coffee-brewing time is controlled; said water flow controller comprising a cover extending across the top of said coffee-brewing chamber to substantially close the top of said coffee-brewing chamber and a flange extending downwardly interiorly of said coffee-brewing chamber and substantially engaging the side walls of said coffee-brewing chamber, a plurality of openings being formed substantially at the junction between said flange and said cover of said water flow controller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
244 words
A drip coffee maker for the brewing of a coffee infusion from coffee ground to at least as fine as drip grind coffee standards comprising: a coffee brewing chamber for the containment of coffee ground to at least as fine as drip coffee-brewing standards; an upper chamber positioned above said coffee-brewing chamber, said upper chamber being of sufficient size to receive hot water for coffee brewing, said upper chamber being separated from said coffee-brewing chamber by water inlet flow control means; an opening in the bottom of said coffee-brewing chamber, said opening being closed by a micro-pore outlet filter, said filter being of such configuration as to substantially retain the ground coffee fines in said brewing chamber but to permit the passage of water-extracted coffee infusion therethrough; and said water inlet flow control means being positioned in the top of said coffee-brewing chamber for controlling the inflow of water into said brewing chamber from said upper chamber so that the water flow to the grounds in said brewing chamber is controlled and the length of coffee-brewing time is controlled; said water flow controller comprising a cover extending across the top of said coffee-brewing chamber to substantially close the top of said coffee-brewing chamber and a flange extending downwardly interiorly of said coffee-brewing chamber and substantially engaging the side walls of said coffee-brewing chamber, a plurality of openings being formed substantially at the junction between said flange and said cover of said water flow controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The coffee maker of claim 6 wherein: said water flow controller has an exterior ring thereon of greater diameter than the interior of said coffee-brewing chamber to serve as a stop as said water flow controller is placed into the top of said coffee-brewing chamber, said openings extending through said flange and through said ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The coffee maker of claim 7 wherein: said cover is imperforate and said openings comprise the only water flow passages from said upper chamber into said coffee-brewing chamber so that, upon initiation of water flow from said upper chamber through said openings into said coffee-brewing chamber, the upward flow of gas from said coffee-brewing chamber restricts downward water flow until after gas flow is substantially complete whereupon water flow continues at a maximum rate controlled by said openings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The coffee maker of claim 8 wherein: said brewing chamber is a hollow chamber having its bottom defined by said outlet filter, said outlet filter being positioned in a filter holder, and said filter holder being screwed onto the body forming said coffee-brewing chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The coffee maker of claim 9 wherein: said outlet filter is a micromesh metal filter having a plurality of openings in the range from 20 to 30 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The coffee maker of claim 9 wherein: said body forming said coffee-brewing chamber is a tubular body, said tubular body having a flexible seal flange at its lower end and having exterior screw threads thereon, said filter holder having screw threads threadedly engaged with said exterior threads on said tubular body and engaging with said seal flange so that said filter holder is sealed to said body and all downward-flowing aqueous coffee infusion is constrained to pass through said micromesh filter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coffee maker of claim 11 wherein: one of said screw threads on said filter holder and on said coffee-brewing chamber is rectangular in cross section while the other is substantially semicircular in cross section to minimize interthread engagement areas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The coffee maker of claim 11 wherein: said outlet filter is a micromesh metal filter having a plurality of openings in the range from 20 to 30 microns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The coffee maker of claim 1 wherein: said water inlet flow control means comprises a cover extending across the top of said coffee-brewing chamber to substantially close the top of said coffee-brewing chamber and a flange substantially engaging the side walls of said coffee-brewing chamber, said inlet openings being formed substantially at the junction between said flange and said cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |