Patent ID: 6245371
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles comprising the steps of:a) supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch, said filter pouch being partially filled with flavor extractable particles and inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30.degree. to about 90.degree. such that said particles accumulate at a bottom end of said filter pouch;b) directing brew water to near an upper end of said filter pouch above said particles, said brew water entering said filter pouch, said brew water infiltrating said particles, said particles being partially fluidized by and suspended in said brew water, said particles rising with said brew water into an empty portion of said filter pouch without a need for opposing sides of said filter pouch to separate to generate internal space; andc) brewing a fluid extract from said particles in said filter pouch and discharging said fluid extract from said filter pouch, said filter pouch having sufficient exit area that a fluid extract discharge rate matches a rate of brew water entry into said filter pouch when a fluid head is produced inside said filter pouch which is at least as great as a vertical depth of particles in said filter pouch, wherein said step of directing brew water to near an upper end of said filter pouch uses a brew water conduit in contact with an outer surface of said filter pouch to reduce surface tension thereat as brew water flows over or through said conduit, such that said brew water enters said filter pouch with minimal resistance, thereby minimizing brew water running off said outer surface of said filter pouch.