Abstract:
A brewing chamber cleaner including a spinning or stationary assembly for spraying cleaning solution into the brewing chamber. The spinning assembly may be attached to a disk configured to removably reside in the brewing chamber, or be part of a coffee maker. Liquid pumped into the brewing chamber cleaner may cause the spinning assembly to spin by the liquid flowing past gears or a propeller, or by off center jets on the spinning member. Alternatively, the coffee maker includes a rotating shaft to cause the spinning assembly to spin or may include stator winding creating a rotating magnetic field to cause the spinning assembly to spin. In another embodiment the brewing chamber cleaner includes a wide spray provided by a fixed nozzle. A base is optionally provided to capture the spray and direct a flow into a bottom extraction needle of the coffee maker to clean the extraction needle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/249,009 filed Oct. 30, 2015, which application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to beverage brewing and in particular to a liquid spray into a brewing chamber for cleaning the brewing chamber. 
         [0003]    Brewed beverages are often prepared by injecting water into a brewing chamber containing a brewing material such as ground coffee beans. Various configurations are known including inserting a needle into the brewing material, streams of water injected down into the brewing material. Unfortunately, water released or sprayed into the brewing material may form channels or pockets, and the brewed beverage is not uniformly extracted from the brewing material. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a brewing chamber cleaner including a spinning or stationary assembly for uniformly spraying water into the brewing material. The spinning assembly may be attached to a disk configured to removably reside in the brewing chamber, or be part of a coffee maker. The water is sprayed in a moving pattern to clean the brewing chamber. On one embodiment, water is pumped into the removable cleaner, and the flow of water causes the spinning assembly to spin by the water flowing past gears or a propeller, or by off center jets on the spinning member. In another embodiment, the coffee maker includes a rotating shaft engaging the cleaner to cause the spinning assembly to spin, or may include stator winding creating a rotating magnetic field in the brewing chamber to cause the spinning assembly to spin. In another embodiment a wide spray is provided by a fixed nozzle. A base is optionally provided to capture the spray and direct a flow into a bottom extraction needle of the coffee maker. 
         [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a brewing chamber cleaner including a rotating disbursing member. The disbursing member may be rotated by a tangential water spray, by a rotating shaft of the coffee maker, or by a rotating magnetic field. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a brewing chamber cleaner including a fixed disbursing member. The disbursing member includes orifices to spray cleaning liquid against brewing chamber walls, and an attachable extraction needle cleaner to capture the cleaning liquid and clean the extraction needle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the coffee maker with an open lid allowing placement of a brewing material holder according to the present invention inside the coffee maker. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a functional diagram of the coffee maker. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of a dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a second side view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention rotated 90 degrees. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3C . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  shows a first side view of a second dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  shows a second side view of the second dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of a third dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention having internal propeller elements. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention having tangentially directed sprays. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the fourth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows a fifth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner attachable to a coffee maker nozzle, according to the present invention 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows a coffee maker with the fifth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention attached to the nozzle. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows a coffee maker including a rotating shaft engaging a brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention having a center column rotated by the coffee maker. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  shows a coffee maker including stator windings creating a rotating stator field in a brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15A  shows a cross-sectional view of a seventh dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention having magnets rotated by the rotating stator field created by the coffee maker. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15B  shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative seventh dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention having a squirrel cave rotor rotated by the rotating stator field created by the coffee maker. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  shows a coffee maker including an offset rotating shaft engaging a brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view of an eighth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention having offset gears and a center column rotated by the coffee maker. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  shows a cross-sectional view of a ninth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner including dynamic water dispersion according to the present invention having a dome according to the present invention for dispersing water. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the dome according to the present invention taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of a one dimensional dome according to the present invention taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is a side view of a fixed brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the fixed brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention, taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 23A  is a side view of an extraction needle cleaning accessory according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 23B  is a top view of the extraction needle cleaning accessory according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the extraction needle cleaning accessory according to the present invention, taken along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23B . 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  shows a second brewing chamber configuration and a brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for the second brewing chamber configuration. 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  shows an end view of the brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for the second brewing chamber configuration. 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  shows a cross-sectional view of the brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for the second brewing chamber configuration, taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 28A  shows a side view of an extraction needle cleaner according to the present invention for the second brewing chamber configuration. 
           [0044]      FIG. 28B  shows an end view of the extraction needle cleaner according to the present invention for the second brewing chamber configuration. 
           [0045]      FIG. 29  shows a third brewing chamber configuration and a brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for the third brewing chamber configuration. 
           [0046]      FIG. 30A  shows a side view of the brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for use in the third brewing chamber. 
           [0047]      FIG. 30B  shows a bottom view of the brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for use in the third brewing chamber. 
           [0048]      FIG. 31  shows a cross-sectional view of the brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for use in the third brewing chamber taken alone line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30B . 
           [0049]      FIG. 32  shows a multi-cup coffee maker and a brewing chamber cleaner according to the present invention for use in the multi-cup coffee maker. 
       
    
    
       [0050]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0051]    The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
         [0052]    Where the terms “about” or “generally” are associated with an element of the invention, it is intended to describe a feature&#39;s appearance to the human eye or human perception, and not a precise measurement. 
         [0053]    A large variety of coffee and espresso makers are commonly used to make beverages. The coffee and espresso makers are often used one or more times every day, and residue builds as a result of the use. 
         [0054]    A front view of a coffee maker  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1A  a side view of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 1B , and a top view of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 1C . The coffee maker  10  includes a base  12 , a brewing chamber lid  14 , a lid handle  16 , a water container  18 , a display  20 , controls  22 , and platform  24 . A cup  26  rests on the platform  24 . The coffee maker  10  provides a flow of hot water through brewing material to produce a brewed drink. The flow of water may be heated by one of any known means, for example, an electrical heating coil, inductive heating, or a conductive coating on tubing carrying the water. 
         [0055]    A side view of the coffee maker  10  with a brewing chamber lid  14  allowing placement of a brewing material holder  30 , or a brewing chamber cleaner  31 , according to the present invention inside a brewing chamber  29  of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The brewing chamber lid  14  includes a lid hinge  14 ′ and a water tube  15  carries heated water into the lid  14 . A pad  17  resides on a bottom surface of the brewing chamber lid  14  and presses against the brewing chamber cleaner  31  when the brewing chamber lid  14  is closed, and in cooperation with several embodiments discloses hereafter, sprays liquid into the brewing chamber to clean the brewing chamber. An injection nozzle  19   a  extending down from the brewing chamber lid  14  directs the flow of liquid into the brewing chamber cleaner  31  and an extraction nozzle  19   b  extends up into the brewing chamber  29  to release and carry liquid from the brewing chamber  29  in some embodiments. 
         [0056]    A functional diagram of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2A . The preferred coffee (or brewing material) maker  10  includes the water tank  18 , water pump  21 , a heater  13 , check valve  23  and the nozzle  18 . The pump  21  preferably provides at least one PSI water pressure. The water heater  13  may include a heating coil, inductive heating, or a resistive coating or any other means for heating water. The check valve  23  limits the water pressure at the nozzle  19   a  by returning some of the water flow to the water tank  18 . While the water pump  21  is a preferred method for providing a flow of water to the nozzle  19   a , other methods include placing the water in the water tank  18  under pressure, and a coffee maker using any means to provide a forced flow of water is intending to come within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0057]    A top view of a dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3A , a first side view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  is shown in  FIG. 3B  and a second side view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  rotated 90 degrees is shown in  FIG. 3B . The dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  includes a lid  32  and a column  34 . The lid  32  serves as an adapter to position the brewing chamber cleaner with respect to the brewing chamber  29 . A seal  33  extends up from the lid  32  to seal to the coffee maker  10  (see  FIG. 2 ) to provide a flow of water  42  under pressure to the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31 . The lid  32  may be configured to be held in the coffee maker in the same manner that a coffee holder lid is held in the coffee maker. 
         [0058]    The brewing chamber cleaner  31  may be configured to allow use in coffee makers sold under the trademark KEURIG which include a top puncture needle for injecting pressurized water into a brewing cartridge, and a bottom puncture needle for puncturing sealed brewing cartridges to extract brewed beverage. Such coffee makers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A pressurized flow of water  42  enters the brewing chamber cleaner  31  through a passage  47  in the lid  32 . The passage  47  may be configured to accept the top puncture needle of the &#39;765 patent. A skeleton  40  may be attached to the lid  32 . The skeleton  40  provides a perimeter configured to cooperate with the coffee maker of the &#39;765 patent, seating in the coffee maker to provide support for the brewing chamber cleaner  31  while avoiding the bottom puncture needle of the &#39;765 patent. 
         [0059]    A cross-sectional view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3A  is shown in  FIG. 4  and a cross-sectional view of the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  is shown in  FIG. 5 . A column (or dispensing member)  34  having an interior  34   a  is rotatable attached to the lid  32 . The hollow column  34  includes ports (or orifices)  39  releasing radial sprays  38  of liquid (for example, water or cleaning solution) into the brewing chamber  29 . The column  34  includes arm  35  extending radially and including ports  37  releasing tangential sprays of water  36 . The tangential sprays of water  36  urge the column  34  to spin, thus cleaning the brewing chamber  29 . 
         [0060]    A first side view of a second dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   a  is shown in  FIG. 6A  and a second side view of a second dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   a  showing tangential flows  36  to rotate the column  34   a  to rotate the column  34   a  is shown in  FIG. 6B . The dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31  includes slots  39   a  providing sheets of water  38   a  for cleaning the brewing chamber, and ports  37  provide tangential flows  36  rotating the column  34   a . The dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   a  is otherwise similar to the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31 . 
         [0061]    A cross-sectional view of a third dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   b  having internal propeller elements  43  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The water flow  42  through the internal propellor elements  43  causes the column  34   a  to spin, thus providing dynamic water dispersion into the brewing chamber  29 . The second dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   a  is otherwise similar to the dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31 . 
         [0062]    A cross-sectional view of a fourth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   c  and having tangentially directed sprays is shown in  FIG. 8  and a cross-sectional view of the third dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   b  taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  is shown in  FIG. 9 . The ports  39   b  direct the flows  36  tangentially to rotate the column  34   b  which does not include the arms  35 . The third dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   b  is otherwise similar to the brewing chamber cleaner  31 . 
         [0063]    A fifth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   d  attachable to a coffee maker nozzle  19   a  is shown in  FIG. 10  and the coffee maker  10  with the brewing chamber cleaner  31   e  is shown attached to the nozzle  19   a  in  FIG. 11 . The brewing chamber cleaner  31   e  is similar to the brewing chamber cleaner  31 , but includes a bearing or bushing  52  rotatably connecting the column  34   d  to the nozzle  19   a.    
         [0064]    A coffee maker  10   a  including a rotating shaft  50  engaging a sixth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   e  is shown in  FIG. 12  and a cross-sectional view of the chamber cleaner  31   e  having a center column  34   d  rotated by the rotating shaft  50  is shown in  FIG. 13 . The rotating shaft  50  engages socket  52  to spin the column  34   e.    
         [0065]    A coffee maker  10   b  including stator windings  52  creating a rotating stator field in a seventh chamber cleaner  31   f  is shown in  FIG. 14  and a cross-sectional view of the chamber cleaner  31   f  including dynamic water dispersion including magnets  54   a  rotated by the rotating stator field created by the coffee maker  10   b  is shown in  FIG. 15A  and a squirrel cage  54   b  rotated by the rotating stator field created by the coffee maker  10   b  is shown  FIG. 15B . 
         [0066]    A coffee maker  10   c  including an offset rotating shaft  56  engaging an eighth chamber cleaner  31   g  including dynamic water dispersion is shown in  FIG. 16  and a cross-sectional view of the chamber cleaner  31   g  having an offset shaft  57  engaging the offset shaft  56 , and gears  58  and  59  rotating the center column is shown in  FIG. 17 . The offset shafts avoid the nozzle  19   a  and passage  47 . The gears  58  and  59  may be replaced by rollers, or by a belt and hubs. 
         [0067]    A cross-sectional view of a ninth dynamic brewing chamber cleaner  31   h  including a dome  60  for dispersing water is shown in  FIG. 18  and a cross-sectional view of the dome  60  taken along line  19   a - 19   a  of  FIG. 18  is shown in  FIG. 19 a   . The dome  60  may be rotated by offset tangential sprays from ports  62  similar to sprays  36  (see  FIG. 5 ), or the dome  60  may be rotated by any of the means shown for brewing chamber cleaner  31   a - 30   g . The dome  60  includes at least one dispersion port  64 , and preferably a multiplicity of dispersion ports  64 . 
         [0068]    An alternative one dimensional dome  60   a  is shown in  FIG. 20  having a single row of dispersion ports  64 . 
         [0069]    A side view of a fixed stationary chamber cleaner  31   i  is shown in  FIG. 21  and cross-sectional view of the fixed stationary chamber cleaner  31   i  is shown in  FIG. 22 . The brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  includes a cylindrical extension  68  reaching down into the brewing chamber. The cylindrical extension  68  includes at least one set of orifices  70  opening into the brewing chamber to release sprays  38  of cleaning solution. The orifices  70  maybe radially aimed to provide a horizontal spray, or aimed partially up, or be aimed partially down providing a conical spray, preferably not exceeding 45 degrees down. The orifices  70  preferably have a cross-section between 0.5 mm 2  and 12 mm 2 , and more preferably have a cross-section between 1.6 mm 2  and 10 mm 2 , and most preferably have a cross-section of about 6 mm 2 , to balance sufficient flow and intensity of the spray  38 . The orifices may be a single set at the same depth, or two or more sets spaced apart vertically at different depths. 
         [0070]    The brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  further includes a skirt  74  for guiding into the brewing chamber  29  (see  FIG. 2 ). The skirt  74  may be tapered to simplify centering on the brewing chamber  29 , may include an annular ring  76  for retaining an extraction needle cleaner  80  (see  FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 24 ), and may include annular scoring  75  providing an interference fit to the extraction needle cleaner  80 . A rim  77  reaches radially past the skirt  74  to support the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  above the brewing chamber  29 . 
         [0071]    A side view of the extraction needle cleaner  80  is shown in  FIG. 23A , a top view of the extraction needle cleaner  80  is shown in  FIG. 23B , and a cross-sectional view of the extraction needle cleaner  80 , taken along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23B , is shown in  FIG. 24 . The extraction needle cleaner  80  is preferably a frusto conical shaped cup deep enough to capture a portion of the extraction needle  19   b  in an interior  83 , and more preferably fits in the envelope of single serving brewing material cartridges sold under the name K_CUPO. Such single serving brewing material cartridges are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,488, incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0072]    The extraction needle cleaner  80  includes a top portion  86  configured to engage the skirt  74  of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  (see  FIG. 21 ). The top portion  86  may include an annular recess  82  for positive engagement with the annular ring  76  of the lid  31   i , and may have a surface selected to cooperate with the annular scoring  75  on the skirt  74  to retain the attachment of the extraction needle cleaner  80  to the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i.    
         [0073]    The extraction needle cleaner  80  may be a sturdy plastic cup including a pre-formed passage  84  aligned with the extraction needle  19   b  (see  FIG. 2 ), and the base  81  of the extraction needle cleaner  80  may be a rubber for other flexible material to slide over the extraction needle  19   b  providing a seal. The extraction needle cleaner  80  may also be a thin plastic piece with no pre-formed passage  84 , and the extraction needle  19   b  may pierce the plastic when the pre-formed passage  84  is inserted into the brewing chamber  19 , for example, when the brewing chamber lid  14  is closed on the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  with the brewing chamber  19  attached to the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i.    
         [0074]    When the coffee maker  10  is operated with cleaning liquid in the water tank  18  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  in the brewing chamber  19  without the extraction needle cleaner  80  attached, the cleaning liquid is sprayed out of the cylindrical extension  68  against the interior of the brewing chamber  19 , thus cleaning the brewing chamber  29 . When the coffee maker  10  is operated with cleaning liquid in the water tank  18  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i  in the brewing chamber  29  with the extraction needle cleaner  80  attached, the cleaning liquid is sprayed out of the cylindrical extension  68  filling the extraction needle cleaner  80  and washing the extraction needle  19   b . The cleaning may be done in either order, and may be three steps, the first and third without the extraction needle cleaner  80  attached, and the second with the extraction needle cleaner  80  attached. A final step is preferably performed using water only to rinse the brewing chamber  29  and extraction needle  19   b.    
         [0075]    A second brewing chamber  29   a , a brewing material cartridge  30   a  for the brewing chamber  29   a , and a brewing chamber cleaner  31   j  for the second brewing chamber  29   a , are shown in  FIG. 25 . The brewing material cartridge  30   a  resides on its side in the brewing chamber  29   a  and the injection needle  19   a  and extraction needle  29   b  are attached to a second brewing chamber lid  14   a . The brewing chamber cleaner  31   j  includes the passage  47  for the injection needle  19   a , and a second passage  47   a  for the extraction needle  19   b.    
         [0076]    An end view of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   j  is shown in  FIG. 26  and a cross-sectional view of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   j , taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 , is shown in  FIG. 27 . A lid  32   a  of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   j  includes an extended portion  32   b  including the passage  47   a  for the extraction needle  19   b , and a skirt  74   a  providing clearance for the extraction needle  19   b . The brewing chamber cleaner  31   j  is otherwise similar to the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i.    
         [0077]    A side view of an extraction needle cleaner  80   a  for the second brewing chamber configuration is shown in  FIG. 28A  and a top view of the extraction needle cleaner  80   a  is shown in  FIG. 28B . The interior of the extraction needle cleaner  80   a  includes an extraction needle clearance area  83   a  providing space for the extraction needle  19   b . The extraction needle cleaner  80   a  is otherwise similar to the extraction needle cleaner  80 . 
         [0078]    A third brewing chamber  29   b  configuration and a brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  for the third brewing chamber  29   b  are shown in  FIG. 29 . The brewing chamber  29   b  is configured to receive a brewing cartridge  30   h , for example, of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,347. The &#39;347 patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0079]    A side view of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  is shown in  FIG. 30A , a bottom view of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  is shown in  FIG. 30B , and a cross-sectional view of the brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  taken alone line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30B  is shown in  FIG. 31 . The brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  includes a lid portion  32 , an inlet column  88 , and a support member  89  to position the brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  in the brewing chamber  29   b . A cylindrical extension  68  is generally centered in the brewing chamber  29   b  and includes orifices  70 . The inlet column  88  includes a tapers inlet  47 . The brewing chamber cleaner  31   k  is otherwise similar to the brewing chamber cleaner  31   i    
         [0080]    A multi-cup coffee maker  90  and brewing chamber cleaner  92  for use in the multi-cup coffee maker are shown in  FIG. 32 . The multi-cup coffee maker  90  includes a brewing chamber  94  for receiving a portion of brewing material  92  to make a multi-cup serving of brewed beverage released into a carafe  96 . The brewing chamber cleaner  92  preferably rests on a top edge of the brewing chamber  94 , but may rest on features of the interior of the brewing chamber  94 . Other than size, and positioning features, the brewing chamber cleaner  92  may be similar to any of the brewing chamber cleaners  31 - 31   i.    
         [0081]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.