Multi-purpose coffee maker pod holder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10244889-B2
Application number	US-201615342080-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 2, 2016
Priority date	Mar 5, 2013
Publication date	Apr 2, 2019
Grant date	Apr 2, 2019

Abstract

A multi-purpose beverage pod holder for a beverage brewing apparatus is disclosed comprising a flange adapted to be received in a slot in the brewing apparatus, a screen disposed orthogonal with the flange for allowing fluid to pass therein through, a first cylindrical wall encircling the screen on a first surface of the pod holder, the first cylindrical wall having a first diameter and defining a first packet retainer, and a second cylindrical wall encircling the screen on an opposite surface of the pod holder, the second cylindrical wall having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and defining a second packet retainer. The pod holder can be used to brew both espresso and coffee in the same machine depending upon the orientation of the pod holder.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multi-purpose beverage pod holder for a beverage brewing apparatus, comprising:
a flange having a planar front side including first and second members joined at a central necked element;
a wall extending orthogonally from the flange, the wall including an indicator to signal the brewing apparatus of an orientation of the pod holder;
a first cylindrical wall defining a first packet retaining member, the first cylindrical wall implemented on a first surface of the pod holder, the first cylindrical wall having a first diameter; and
a second cylindrical wall on a second surface of the pod holder, the second surface opposite the first surface of the pod holder, the second cylindrical wall having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and defining a second packet retaining member;
wherein a first orientation of the pod holder indicates to the brewing apparatus the first packet retainer member is in use, and a second orientation of the pod holder indicates to the brewing apparatus the second packet retainer member is in use; and
wherein the flange locks the pod holder in the brewing apparatus when a pod securing mechanism of the brewing apparatus closes on the pod holder.

2. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator for indicating an orientation of the first packet retainer member and the second packet retainer member.

3. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 2 , wherein the indicator is a visual indicator.

4. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a magnetic indicator.

5. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , wherein the pod securing mechanism is a release member, wherein the flange is shaped to receive the release member along a middle portion thereof.

6. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 5 , wherein the flange includes a neck portion that receives the release member.

7. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the first cylindrical wall is greater than a thickness of the second cylindrical wall.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Aronson William Dale
• Egan Lawrence Joseph
• Frogley Kirsten Suzanne

Classifications

• A47J31/4492

  Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge · CPC title

• A47J31/3676

  Cartridges being employed · CPC title

• A47J31/407 Primary

  with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means · CPC title

• A47J31/0647 Primary

  with means to adjust the brewing chamber volume to accommodate different quantities of brewing material · CPC title

• A47J31/3633

  Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position · CPC title