Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/672,591, filed on Apr. 18, 2005 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an improved apparatus for brewing coffee and more particularly to an improved apparatus that cold brews coffee to produce an infusion of coffee extract, and also stores and dispenses coffee. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Apparatuses for brewing coffee are well known in the art. In the known art, coffee is customarily drip-brewed using heated water. Water is heated in a vessel, and then poured over a container of ground coffee. As the water mingles with the grounds, a coffee extract is produced which drips through a filter into a coffee pot or cup. Improvements to the art have lead to machines that automatically heat water and brew coffee in one self-contained device. 
     Although coffee is traditionally brewed in hot or boiling water, it is also possible to cold brew coffee. A preference for cold brewed coffee has developed, principally due to its flavor. Since many of the bitter oils and acids contained in coffee are soluble only at high temperature, coffee brewed with hot or boiling water is characterized by a harsh acrid taste. Cold brewed coffee avoids this problem. As the preference for cold brewed coffee has grown, several developments in the cold brew process have been made. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,264 to Sanderson discloses a process for obtaining a cold water extract from tea leaves. The process involves treating fresh green tea leaves with an enzyme additive to produce dry tea leaves which are cold water extractable. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,918 to Pulikkottil discloses a method of processing green tea leaves to produce black tea particles that can be brewed in cold water. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,746 discloses a cold water coffee brewer comprising a large canister into which coffee grounds are placed and through which cold water is circulated. This device is designed to accomplish an infusion of water with coffee extract, similar to the present invention. However, it is structurally distinct, and performs the infusion through a drip mechanism rather than soaking. U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,830 discloses a similar device using cold water to obtain an extraction. This device is also structurally distinct from the present invention, complex and difficult to clean. 
     The aforementioned cold brewing methods and devices are either meant for brewing substances other than coffee, or they are structurally different from the present invention, and are designed for a different type of process. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for cold brewing coffee to produce a liquid extract or infusion that can brew, store and dispense coffee. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved cold brew coffee apparatus that is fully invertible wherein the apparatus is of hourglass shape/design to facilitate brewing and dispensing. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved cold brew coffee apparatus wherein a unique coffee filter system is free standing and integrates into the brew chamber easily and with no mess. 
     Finally, it is an objective of the present invention is to provide an improved cold brew coffee apparatus which is a fully enclosed system, whereby coffee grounds are brewed in cold water for extended period of time for better taste and flavor and can be stored in a refrigerator for up to two weeks. These and other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for brewing coffee to produce a liquid extract/concentrate that can be brewed in cold water and which can be stored fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The apparatus solves the inherent problems of hot brew methods that produce a bitter, acidic coffee, and improves the art of cold brewing. 
     The cold brew coffee apparatus comprises a filter assembly, a center tie piece, a brew chamber and an extract chamber. The filter assembly includes an outer cup, a hollow inner housing and a micro-fine wire mesh coffee filter secured between the outer cup and inner housing. The wire mesh is exposed between the side walls of the outer cup and inner housing. The center tie piece is hollow and comprises two conical extremities connected by a narrow midsection. The extract chamber is the same size as the brew chamber, and is mounted to the end of the center tie piece opposite the brew chamber. 
     To brew coffee, the filter assembly is filled with grounds and the rim at its open end is securely received to the inside bottom surface of the brew chamber. The brew chamber is inverted and made to stand on its base so that the filter assembly is upside-down. Water is poured into the brew chamber, filling the base assembly and soaking the grounds. The center tie piece is attached with a quarter turn that engages threading at the junction of the brew chamber and the center tie piece. The extract chamber is then mounted to an opposite end of the center tie piece. A gasket or an o-ring on the threading prevents leakage between the brew/extract chambers and the center tie piece. The apparatus is then left to brew for twelve hours to complete the cold brew cycle. 
     After the proper level of infusion is reached, usually after twelve hours, the brew cycle is complete. The apparatus is then inverted, and cold brewed coffee is drained out of the used grounds in the filter chamber and into the extract chamber. Once the coffee has drained from the filter, the brew chamber can be disassembled and the coffee grounds are disposed. Cold brewed coffee can be decanted from the extract chamber into a storage container. The storage container may be kept in a refrigerator to store the cold brewed coffee for up to two weeks. The filter assembly, the center tie piece and brew and extract chambers can then be cleaned for re-use. 
     Cold brewed coffee is more concentrated and less acidic than conventionally brewed coffee. To approximate the characteristics of a typical cup of coffee, it can be diluted with hot water. According to preference, it may also be consumed at a higher concentration, or used to prepare an iced beverage. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the main structural components are composed of acrylic or polycarbonate. In addition, all of the parts of the apparatus are reusable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cold brew coffee apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the filter assembly of the cold brew coffee apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C are different views of the outer cup of the filter assembly. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of the inner cup of the filter assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the wire mesh coffee filter of the filter assembly. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of brew/extract chamber. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the brew chamber with the filter assembly. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of the end caps with gripping pads. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of the center tie piece. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the carafe assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the cold brew coffee apparatus of the present invention, fully assembled and standing on the brew chamber. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the cold brew coffee apparatus of the present invention, fully assembled and standing on the extract chamber to collect the coffee. 
     
    
    
     FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           10  . . . Cold Brew Coffee Apparatus 
           11  . . . Filter Assembly 
           12  . . . Brew Chamber 
           13  . . . Carafe Assembly 
           14  . . . Center Tie Piece 
           15  . . . Extract Chamber 
           16  . . . Outer Cup 
           17  . . . Inner Housing 
           18  . . . Wire Mesh 
           19  . . . Flat Surface of the Outer Cup 
           20  . . . Rim of the Outer Cup 
           21  . . . Connecting Member of the Outer Cup 
           22  . . . Leg Member 
           23  . . . First Rim of the Inner Housing 
           24  . . . Second Rim of the Inner Housing 
           25  . . . Connecting Member of the Inner Housing 
           26  . . . Hole on the Outer Cup 
           27  . . . Projection Section on the Outer Cup 
           28  . . . Groove on the Outer Cup 
           29  . . . Projecting Member on the Inner Housing 
           30  . . . Groove on the Inner Housing 
           31  . . . Gasket 
           32  . . . Cylindrical Depression in the Brew Chamber 
           33 A . . . First Cap 
           33 B . . . Second Cap 
           34  . . . Gripping Pad 
           35  . . . Conical Member 
           36  . . . Threaded Mouth of the Extract/Brew Chamber 
           37  . . . Threaded End of the Center Tie Piece 
           38  . . . Pour Lip 
           39  . . . Logo Button 
           40  . . . Hole in the Cap 
       
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 11 . The present invention is an hourglass-shaped cold brew coffee apparatus  10 , which comprises a filter assembly  11 , a brew chamber  12 , and a carafe assembly  13 . The carafe assembly  13  is comprised of a center tie piece  14  and an extract chamber  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the filter assembly  11  includes an outer cup  16 , an inner housing  17  and a micro-fine wire mesh  18  that filters out coffee grounds from the infused water. The outer cup&#39;s structure comprises a substantially flat surface  19  and a rim  20  opposite and connected to the flat surface  19  by four connecting members  21 , which leave four large openings in its side walls. Four arced leg members  22  on the flat surface  19  of the outer cup  16  serve as feet to support the filter assembly  11  on any flat surface as the filter assembly is filled with coffee grounds. The inner housing&#39;s  17  structure comprises a first rim  23  and a second rim  24  connected to the first rim  23  by four connecting members  25 , which also leave four large openings in its side walls. The second rim  24  projects outwardly from the exterior of the inner housing  17 . The wire mesh  18  is secured between the outer cup  16  and inner housing  17  so that it is exposed from between their connecting members  21  and  25 , thereby enabling the coffee extract to pass through. 
     The side walls of the outer cup  16  are slightly sloped towards the flat surface  19  and the side walls of the inner housing  17  are slightly sloped towards the first rim  23 , so that the inner housing is telescopically received in the outer cup. In addition, the external dimensions of the inner housing  17  are substantially equal to the internal dimensions of the outer cup  16 , leaving a small clearance between them to firmly accommodate the wire mesh  18 . The outer cup  16  includes three holes  26  around the periphery of its flat surface  19  and a projecting section  27 , which radially projects downwards from the flat surface  19 . The projecting section  27  extends into one of the connecting members and forms a groove  28  on top of the flat surface  19 . The interior of the flat surface  19  includes a radially oriented groove (not shown) for receiving the first rim  23  of the inner housing  17 . The first rim  23  includes three projecting members  29  and a groove  30  on one of the connecting members. The projecting members  29  are suitably designed to snap into the holes  26  of the outer cup  16 . 
     In order to secure the inner housing  17  inside the outer cup  16 , the projecting section  27  is received in the groove  30  of the inner housing and the projecting members  29  are snapped into the holes  26  of the outer cup, by pushing the inner housing inside the outer cup. But, first the wire mesh  18  is wrapped around the inner housing  17  before it is secured inside the outer cup  16 . A gasket  31  or an o-ring is placed between the rim  20  of the outer cup and the second rim  24  of the inner housing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the brew and extract chambers  12  and  15  are identical and constitute approximately one fourth the size of the whole apparatus  10 , representing the ends of an hourglass shape. The interior of the bottom surface of the brew chamber  12  includes a cylindrical depression  32  that is adapted to receive the second rim  24  of the inner housing  17 . The gasket  31  placed between the rim  20  of the outer cup and the second rim  24  of the inner housing helps in achieving a secure fit between the filter assembly  11  and the brew chamber  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a first cap  33 A is attached to the brew chamber  12 . The cylindrical depression  32  in the interior of the brew chamber leads to a cylindrical projection on its exterior bottom surface. The first cap  33 A is adapted to be firmly attached over the cylindrical projection. A second cap  33 B, similar to the first cap  33 A, is attached to the bottom of the extract chamber  15 . Several designs and structures are possible for the caps, one of them being shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . The caps act as a base and further include a plurality of gripping pads  34  made of rubber or other anti-slip materials. The center portion of the caps may include a logo button  39 , which can be snapped in the hole  40 . Even the gripping pads can be snapped in the caps. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the center tie piece  14  is hollow and comprises two conical members  35 A and  35 B connected at their vertices. The center tie piece  14  is approximately half the size of the apparatus  10 . The inner surface of the conical members includes pour lips  38 . The brew and extract chambers include helical threaded indentation on the exterior of their mouths  36 , which are adapted to engage a complimentary set of threaded indentation on the inner surfaces of the two ends  37  of the center tie piece  14  with a quarter turn. A gasket is used to form a hermetic seal at the junction of the center tie piece  14  and the brew/extract chambers. The center tie piece  14  along with the brew and extract chambers  12  and  15  mounted to its either ends are so designed in order to conform to an hourglass shape. 
     In order to use the apparatus, first fresh coffee grounds are placed in the filter assembly  11 , which is balanced and supported by the leg members  22 . The brew chamber  12  with its associated cap  33 A is inverted and fitted over the filter assembly  11 , sealing in place with the gasket  31  on the filter assembly. The grounds are thereby enclosed. The brew chamber  12  is then inverted so the first cap  33 A is down and the leg members  22  of the filter assembly  11  are facing up. Then the brew chamber  12  can be filled with water until the grounds are submerged. The groove  28  channels water into the brew chamber to soak the grounds. One of the ends  37 A of the center tie piece is mounted to the brew chamber  12 , with a quarter turn. The extract chamber is then mounted to an opposite end  37 B of the center tie piece  14 . The apparatus  10  now stands on the brew chamber  12 , particularly on the first cap  33 A attached to the brew chamber  12 , as seen in  FIG. 11 . The gaskets prevent leakage after the apparatus is assembled. Water soaks into the grounds and starts the cold brew infusion process. The brewing process takes approximately twelve hours. 
     After the brew cycle is complete, the apparatus  10  is inverted and made to stand on the extract chamber  15 , as seen in  FIG. 12 . Cold brewed coffee extract will drain out of the filter assembly  11  and the brew chamber  12 , and into the extract chamber  15  through the center tie piece  14 . The apparatus  10  takes approximately five minutes to complete this step. After all the extract has drained into the extract chamber  15 , the brew chamber  12  and incorporated filter assembly  11  can be disconnected and the coffee grounds disposed of. The coffee extract is then poured form the carafe assembly into a storage container and can be kept fresh in a refrigerator for up to two weeks. Once the coffee has been dispensed, the entire apparatus can be disassembled and cleaned. 
     Coffee brewed in the apparatus  10  is a deep rich extract coffee concentrate, and is far less acidic than conventionally brewed coffee. It can be diluted with hot water to a desired taste and strength. To make a typical cup of coffee, two tablespoons of extract are added to 8 oz of hot water. More or less concentrate can be added for desired taste and strength. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the brew chamber, the extract chamber, and the center tie piece of the apparatus are made of acrylic or polycarbonate material. 
     The features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     While specific apparatus has been disclosed in the preceding description, it should be understood that these specifics have been given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present invention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to those who are versed in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the appended claims. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.

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