Abstract:
This invention relates to a disposable single serving coffee pod brewing device that includes upper and lower brew chambers, forming a pod holding chamber therein, a diffuser device that disseminates the incoming hot water to the outer periphery of any located beverage pod, and a kicker assembly formed in the bottom brew chamber, that supports the beverage pod during a brewing cycle, and then achieves its discharge into a waste or other bin following a brew cycle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This continuation-in-part patent application claims priority to the design patent application having Ser. No. 29/442,709, filed on Apr. 24, 2013. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to a brewer pod holder, and structure for diffusing the heated water as it is delivered over the coffee pod, and more particularly, this invention provides an improved brewing chamber for brewing multiple sizes and shapes of coffee pods, within a singular brewer, when preparing a batch of coffee, or even individual cups of the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is generally known in the field of coffee pod brewing that the coffee quantity can be affected by the placement of the coffee, pod into the pod brewing chamber. If the coffee pod is of differing sizes, this can affect the strength and flavor of the coffee being brewed. In addition, if the coffee pod is placed incorrectly, that is, off center, even mistakenly upside down, or if the pods are of various weights and diameters, the coffee quality can vary from cup to cup. For example, there are coffee pods that are available for usage that may be in the range of approximately 55-56 millimeters in diameter, and they may be symmetrical, having an arcuate surface of equal dimensions both above and below the centerline of the pod. There are other pods that are of a much greater size, approximately 72 millimeters in diameter. Many of these are asymmetrical, meaning that they are only a half pod, usually the lower half of the formed pod, which can effect their location and exposure to the heated water entering the brew chamber, during a brewing cycle. Other commercial pods may be in the size of 61 mm, in diameter, and also may be asymmetrical of design, meaning they are only of a half size, being arcuate formed on one half only, while the lower half may be flat, or vice versa. All of these different sizes, shapes, their placement within the brew chamber, can substantially affect the quality, flavor, and taste of the coffee brewed, which may provide a strong cup or beaker of coffee, or even a weak batch of coffee, which is affected by the placement of the pod within the brew chamber, and its ability to absorb and filter the heated water entering the pod, throughout the brewing cycle. Such extreme variations in the brewing of coffee, tea, or any other related beverage, does not lead to consistency, which obviously can be of irritation to the consumer, when using such pods for brewing a batch of primarily coffee, and perhaps even tea. 
     Various types of holders for encapsulating the grounds of a brewing substance, such as coffee, can be found in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,476 shows a Beverage Brewing Substance Holder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,420, shows a Coffee and Tea Pod, which is used for brewing the beverage, during usage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,270, shows the usage of a pod, within an Apparatus, System and Method for Retaining Beverage Brewing Substance, for application during a brewing cycle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,970, shows a Substance Holder with Removable Insert. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D670,539, shows a form of Pod Holder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D675,867, shows a further design for a Pod Holder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,565, shows a Loose Coffee Transfer System, that incorporates a scope like member that functions as a pod for holding loose beverage grounds during brewing. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 11  of the current application, the various styles and designs for the type of pods that may be used within a pod holder of a brewer are shown. As explained, the pod holder on the left is of asymmetrical design, while the middle pod holder and the right side pod holder are of asymmetrical designs. When using the asymmetrical type, the user does not know if the pod should be inserted with the arcuate surface down, or up, so therefore, there is a good chance that the pods may be located within the pod holder, in misalignment, during their application in preparation for performance of a brewing cycle. These are examples of the type of pods that are available commercially, and are being used in various brewers, currently. When used, or misused, such activity can greatly affect the quality and taste of the coffee or other beverage being brewed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The concept of this invention is to provide a brewing chamber, within a coffee pod holder, that is shaped to accommodate a variety of commercially produced coffee pods, of a variety of shapes and designs, so as to assure that when the heated water enters the brewing chamber, of the pod holder, it is disseminated throughout the extent of the holder, so as to saturate all aspects of the beverage pod during performance of a brewing cycle. In addition, the invention contemplates the formation of various placement members, that are designed for both properly centering the coffee pod within the holder, and then further facilitates the radial permeation of the heated water to the outer periphery of the held pod, to assure that the pod becomes thoroughly saturated throughout its extent with heated water, during performance of said brewing cycle. In addition, the pod holder itself, at the region of its hot water inlet, is integrally structured so as to provide for the flow of the heated water into all regions of the upper portion of the pod holder, to assure that hot water is deposited onto the pod, to attain complete saturation and brewing of a beverage, such as coffee, during a brewing cycle. 
     This type of pod holder may be used within the individual coffee brewing apparatuses, such as those that might be found in the household, but more particularly is adapted for usage within commercial brewers, of the type that may be incorporated within vending like machines, or other commercial brewers, to assure that consistency is attained and maintained in the brewing of the quality and strength of coffee desired, during usage of the brewer. 
     The brewing chamber of the pod holder of this invention is shaped to accommodate the variety of commercially produced coffee pods, as previously reviewed, and is designed to afford consistency in the location of the pods, during their placement, in preparation for performance of a brewing cycle. 
     It is a principle object of this invention to provide a means in which multiple size, weight, and shaped coffee pods can be brewed in a single coffee pod brewing chamber by shaping of the chamber in such a way that the water used to brew the coffee is distributed throughout the extent of the coffee pod, while passing the heated water through all portions of the pod, while brewing of the beverage, with the coffee then exiting the chamber into a cup or other beaker or decanter regardless of how the coffee pod is inserted into the brewing chamber. 
     Hence, it is a primary object of this invention to attain consistency in the brewing of a batch or cup of coffee from coffee pods wherein the quality and strength of the coffee is always uniformly and consistently maintained during repeat brewing cycles. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide for the brewing of a consistent cup or beaker of coffee from coffee pods over repeat brewing cycles even though the pods may be loosely or unevenly located within the pod holder, in preparation for a brewing cycle. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide for integral structure within a pod holder that affords uniformity in the delivery of heated water for saturation of a beverage pod throughout its extent during performance of a brewing cycle. 
     These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the summary of the invention as provided herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In referring to the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the coffee pod holder of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the pod holder; 
         FIG. 8  provides a top plan view that further discloses the flow path of the heated water passing into the pod holder, and how it is diverted into various regions to provide for thorough saturation of the coffee pod during performance of a brewing cycle; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the bottom half of the pod holder, showing its pod kicker assembly elevated from the bottom of the holder; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the upper half of the pod holder, where the heated water enters into the holder during usage, and showing its diffuser elevated, although said diffuser is normally pressure fitted within the upper pod holder during its assembly; and 
         FIG. 11 , once again, shows a schematic of the various shapes of the type of beverage pods that are currently available and used for brewing a coffee or other beverage. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In referring to the drawings, and in particular  FIG. 1 , therein is shown the brewer pod holder  1  of this invention. It includes an upper brew chamber  2  and a lower brew chamber  3 . These two chambers are capable of separation, or opening, so that one of the beverage pods, such as the pods P, as shown in  FIG. 11 , as previously described, may be located, in preparation for a brewing cycle. 
     The upper brew chamber  2  is generally as disclosed in  FIG. 2 , in its upper plan view, and shows a peripheral rim  4  that extends around its perimeter, generally in a square pattern, and includes a series of reinforcing ribs, as at  5 , to provide reinforcement for its structure. A hot water inlet  6  delivers hot water into the upper brew chamber, which is disseminated therein, and discharged into its internal cavity, as will be subsequently described. A series of fastener openings, such as at  7 , may provide a threaded connection for attachment with screws that secure the upper brew chamber to the operating mechanism of the housing for the brewer, so that when the housing is opened, the upper brew chamber is elevated, to provide for access into its interior. 
       FIG. 3  provides a view of the bottom of the lower brew chamber  3  and it has a central opening, as at  8 , through which the pod kicker assembly locates, as also will be subsequently defined. The lower brew chamber likewise contains a series of fastening means, as at  9 , which may be threadedly engaged to the lower portion of the brewer housing, when assembled for usage. There is also disclosed an outlet  10  through the bottom of the lower brew chamber  3 , and this outlet provides for discharge of any brewed beverage, such as coffee, therefrom, during the processing and completion of a brewing cycle in brewing a cup of coffee, of the like. 
     Other figures show other views for the brewer pod holder of this invention, such as  FIG. 4  provides a left side view of both the upper brew chamber  2 , its hot water inlet  6 , in addition to the lower brew chamber  3 . In addition, the base  11  of the lower brew chamber forms the outlet  10  while the lower stem of the pod kicker assembly  8  is arranged centrally thereof. 
       FIGS. 5-7  provide similar views of these structural features for the brewer pod holder of this invention. 
       FIG. 8  provides a view internally of the upper brew chamber  2  and discloses how the hot water inlet  6  delivers its hot water through a conduit  12  into the upper region and cavity of the pod holder, where the water separates into three or more different paths, such as shown at  13 - 15 , so as to provide for a separation of the delivered water, to assure that it is deposited within the upper brew chamber, and into the pod holding area for saturation of any coffee pod located therein, during processing of a brewing cycle. 
     The pod holding chamber is formed, approximately one half, within the upper brew chamber, as can be noted at  16 , with the other half of the pod brewing chamber or cavity being formed in the lower brew chamber  3 , as can be seen at  17 , as noted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Thus, when the upper and lower brew chambers are brought together, after a pod has been located therein, and the brew chamber is closed, it provides an ample space for holding one of the beverage pods, of the type as explained in  FIG. 11 , therein, in preparation for a brewing cycle. 
     As can also be seen in  FIG. 9 , a pod kicker assembly  18  is provided for locating within the cavity  17 , with its stem  19  locating through the opening  8 , for the kicker assembly, as previously reviewed. 
     The upper brew chamber  2 , as shown inverted in  FIG. 10 , provides a series of discharge ports  21 , through which the heated water passing through the hot water inlet  6 , is conducted by way of the conduits  13 - 15 , and discharged through these ports  21 , onto one of the coffee pods P, located within the chamber sections  16  and  17 . Thus, a full quantity of hot water is delivered through the upper brew chamber, and deposited onto the coffee pod located therein, during a brewing cycle. To further assure that water is disseminated over the entire region of the upper surface of any beverage pod located within the holder, a diffuser  25  is normally mounted and secured within the brew chamber  2 , during application. The diffuser is an annulus, formed generally at  23 ; it includes a solid surface  24 , thereby directing any heated water entering into the pod holding area to descend through the central opening  25  and directly onto any beverage pod located within the holder. Since an ample supply of hot water is being delivered during a brew cycle, it rapidly fills the area  25  with the heated water, deposits it directly onto the coffee or tea pod located therein, fills that area to capacity, and the diffuser includes an integral concentric inner ring  26 , containing a series of slots  27 , which radially directs further heated water outwardly, onto the outer periphery of any beverage pod located within the holder, to assure that full saturation occurs of the pod locating therein, to achieve the brewing of the beverage throughout all segments of the entire pod, during performance of a brewing cycle. In other words, the ring  26  acts as a further disseminator of the heated water outwardly, therefrom, and onto the outer reaches of any pod located therebelow, during a brewing cycle, while the abundance of heated water that flows downwardly from the inlet ports  21 , and into the diffuser opening  25 , saturates the middle segment of any pod arranged therebelow, to assure complete and uniform brewing of a batch of coffee or tea. Furthermore, since the pods located therein, as previously reviewed, may have different shapes, as can be noted in  FIG. 11 , or may be of different sizes, the lower edges, as at  28 , of the integral ring  26 , will press against any pod located within the holder chamber, to try to center it, and maintain its location within the approximate center of the formed chambers  16  and  17 , during a brewing cycle, to provide that uniformity of brewing of any beverage, from the pod, through the flow of the heated water therethrough, during performance of a brewing cycle. 
     As can further be noted, and to assure that when the upper brew chamber  3  lowers onto the lower brew chamber  2 , with a pod located within the chamber segment  16 , a pair of positioning pins  29  locate within the aperture  30 , of the lower brew chamber  3 , to assure that the brew chambers are in proper alignment, when brought into closure, and to form an effective seal, when the holder is closed in preparation for a brewing cycle. 
     In addition, it is to be noted that the pod support  18  includes a series of upwardly extending projections, as at  31 , that helps to maintain the positioning of any beverage pod located within the holder, in preparation for a brew cycle. In addition, the pod support  18 , and more particularly its lower extending rod  19 , may fasten or otherwise threadedly engage with an operating mechanism, which can provide for an upward movement of the support, to discharge any spent pod, following a brewing cycle, in order to dispose of the used pod, after usage. In addition, the lower brew chamber  3  includes an annular segment, as at  32 , which seals within the surface of the upper brew chamber, and more specifically just outwardly of its ring  33 , in order to furnish a hydraulic seal, for the two chambers, when they are brought together in preparation for performance of a brewing cycle. It is essential that the hot water incoming within the holder, while brewing, which may be under some pressure, is sealed internally of the holder, and does not leak beyond the holder, during completion of a brewing cycle. 
     The pod holder of this invention, and its diffuser, may be included and used within any commercial coffee brewing and vending machine, which provides for the manual insertion of the beverage pod therein, of the customers selection, and then provides for removal of the pod, for disposal, through the manipulation of its pod support  18 , during and following a brewing cycle. Or, a pod holder of this type may be used within a small individual coffee brewing apparatus, in order to provide for assured quality of brewing of a beverage, consistently, without variation in quality or flavor. 
     Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure as provided herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this invention, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of any claims to patent protection issuing hereon. The description of the invention in the specification, and its depiction in the drawings, are generally set forth for illustrative purposes only.