US4363262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for storage and dispensing coffee
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-10-17
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2000-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for brewing, dispensing and storing coffee involves the use of a movable liquid-gas separation member floatingly mounted on the top level of the brewed coffee so as to exclude air therefrom. The liquid-gas separation member is mounted so as to separate the storage container into a liquid containing portion and a gas containing portion. A vent from the gas containing portion of the container allows for the passage of air into and out of the container as coffee is introduced into the container or is withdrawn therefrom. By this method, the coffee can be stored for long periods of time at serving temperature without developing an acrid or strong, objectionable taste.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion E. Pinckley
- 👤 William G. Carlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:36
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J31/00; A47J31/44; A47J31/46; A47J31/462; A47J31/467
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A storage receptacle for brewed coffee, which comprises: A. a container; B. means for introducing coffee into said container in which said means for introducing coffee into said container is an inlet at the bottom of said container; C. a movable liquid-gas separating member adapted to variably separate said container between an upper gas containing portion and a lower liquid containing portion and which floats vertically on the top of the coffee in said container responsive to the liquid level therein; 1. said movable liquid-gas separating member being in the form of a flat piston head, conforming to the shape of said container and slideably mounted in close engagement with the walls of said container and which is raised vertically by the introduction of brewed coffee into said inlet on the bottom of said container; D. vent means for allowing the passage of air in and out of said container; E. outlet means for withdrawing coffee from said container; F. the further combination therewith of a pipe operatively connected with the coffee inlet in the bottom of the container and a pump in operative relation therewith for pumping the coffee, under pressure, into said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A storage receptacle for brewed coffee, which comprises: A. a container; B. means for introducing coffee into said container in which said means for introducing coffee into said container is an inlet at the bottom of said container; C. a movable liquid-gas separating member adapted to variably separate said container between an upper gas containing portion and a lower liquid containing portion and which floats vertically on the top of the coffee in said container responsive to the liquid level therein; 1. said movable liquid-gas separating member being in the form of a flat piston head, conforming to the shape of said container and slideably mounted in close engagement with the walls of said container and which is raised vertically by the introduction of brewed coffee into said inlet on the bottom of said container; D. vent means for allowing the passage of air in and out of said container; E. outlet means for withdrawing coffee from said container; F. the further combination therewith of a pipe operatively connected with the coffee inlet in the bottom of the container and a pump in operative relation therewith for pumping the coffee, under pressure, into said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A storage receptacle, as defined in claim 1, the further combination therewith of: A. a closure member for closing the top of said container; B. an annular bearing means in the top of said closure member; C. a piston rod connected to the top of said flat piston head and trained through said annular bearing means in the top closure member, for guiding the piston rod and piston head assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A storage receptacle which comprises: A. a container in the form of a coffee urn; B. means for introducing coffee into said container; C. a movable liquid-gas separating member adapted to variably separate said container between an upper gas containing portion and a lower liquid containing portion and which floats vertically on the top of the coffee in said container responsive to the liquid level therein; D. vent means for allowing the passage of air in and out of said container and; E. outlet means for withdrawing coffee from said container; F. said storage receptacle forming the bottom portion of said coffee urn and which comprises: 1. a partition closing the upper part of said receptacle and which separates said bottom portion from said urn; 2. a liquid conduit in communication with said urn and said bottom portion of said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A storage receptacle which comprises: A. a container in the form of a coffee urn; B. means for introducing coffee into said container; C. a movable liquid-gas separating member adapted to variably separate said container between an upper gas containing portion and a lower liquid containing portion and which floats vertically on the top of the coffee in said container responsive to the liquid level therein; D. vent means for allowing the passage of air in and out of said container and; E. outlet means for withdrawing coffee from said container; F. said storage receptacle forming the bottom portion of said coffee urn and which comprises: 1. a partition closing the upper part of said receptacle and which separates said bottom portion from said urn; 2. a liquid conduit in communication with said urn and said bottom portion of said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A storage receptacle for brewed coffee, which comprises: A. a container in the form of a standard coffee pot, adapted to receive the coffee from a commercial coffee maker; B. a closure member which fits onto the neck of said coffee pot, and which comprises: 1. a movable liquid-gas separating member in the form of a flexible diaphragm, floatingly disposed on the top of said coffee to variably separate said container between an upper gas containing portion and a lower liquid containing portion and which moves vertically on top of the coffee in said pot responsive to the liquid level therein; 2. vent means located at the top of said closure member and in communication with said flexible diaphragm; C. outlet means for withdrawing coffee from said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A storage receptacle for brewed coffee, which comprises: A. a container in the form of a standard coffee pot, adapted to receive the coffee from a commercial coffee maker; B. a closure member which fits onto the neck of said coffee pot, and which comprises: 1. a movable liquid-gas separating member in the form of a flexible diaphragm, floatingly disposed on the top of said coffee to variably separate said container between an upper gas containing portion and a lower liquid containing portion and which moves vertically on top of the coffee in said pot responsive to the liquid level therein; 2. vent means located at the top of said closure member and in communication with said flexible diaphragm; C. outlet means for withdrawing coffee from said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A coffee storage receptacle, for brewed coffee, as defined in claim 4, in which said outlet means is in the form of a dip pipe, extending from near the bottom of said container through said closure member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coffee storage receptacle, as defined in claim 5, the further combination with said dip pipe of a manually-operated pour control member mounted for movement between open and closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coffee storage receptacle, as defined in claim 6, in which said manually-operated pour control member is spring loaded so as to hold said closure member in normally closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A coffee dispensing system, which comprises in combination: A. a coffee brewing station; B. a coffee storage receptacle in the form of a closed container and having a movable liquid-gas separation member mounted therein; C. a coffee dispensing station; D. conduit for transporting coffee from said coffee station to said coffee storage receptacle; E. conduit for transporting coffee from the bottom of said storage receptacle to said coffee dispensing stations; F. said liquid-gas separation member being floatingly disposed on the top of the level of brewed coffee in said container and vertically movable with the level of brewed coffee therein; and G. vent means being located in the top of said container for the passage of air into and out of said storage receptacle upon the introduction and withdrawing of coffee therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
A coffee dispensing system, which comprises in combination: A. a coffee brewing station; B. a coffee storage receptacle in the form of a closed container and having a movable liquid-gas separation member mounted therein; C. a coffee dispensing station; D. conduit for transporting coffee from said coffee station to said coffee storage receptacle; E. conduit for transporting coffee from the bottom of said storage receptacle to said coffee dispensing stations; F. said liquid-gas separation member being floatingly disposed on the top of the level of brewed coffee in said container and vertically movable with the level of brewed coffee therein; and G. vent means being located in the top of said container for the passage of air into and out of said storage receptacle upon the introduction and withdrawing of coffee therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
A coffee dispensing system, as defined in claim 8, in which said movable liquid-gas separating member is in the form of a flat piston head having a shape conforming with the shape of said container and mounted for vertical movement from the bottom of said empty container to the top of said full container through the floating engagement with the top of the coffee within said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coffee dispensing system, as defined in claim 9, the further improvement therewith of a pump mounted in the conduit connecting the coffee brewing station and the coffee storage receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A coffee dispensing system, as defined in claim 8, in which said liquid-gas separation member is in the form of a bladder-type, flexible diaphragm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A coffee dispensing system, as defined in claim 8, the further combination therewith of heating means for holding the coffee within said coffee storage receptacle at serving temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A coffee dispensing system, as defined in claim 8, which includes a liquid water level maintained above the liquid-gas separation means for storing heat in the system and preventing the condensation of coffee vapors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |