Multi-purpose coffee maker pod holder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9486104-B2
Application number	US-201414195476-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2014
Priority date	Mar 5, 2013
Publication date	Nov 8, 2016
Grant date	Nov 8, 2016

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 screen 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;
wherein a first orientation of the pod holder indicates to the brewing apparatus a first packet retainer in use and a second orientation of the pod holder indicates to the brewing apparatus a second packet retainer in use; and
wherein the necked element of the flange cooperates with the brewing apparatus to lock the pod holder in the brewing apparatus.

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

3. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a shape determining indictor.

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

5. 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.

6. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , wherein the wall includes first and second indicators located on opposite sides of the screen.

7. The multi-purpose beverage pod holder of claim 1 , wherein the beverage pod holder is adapted to be inserted horizontally into the brewing apparatus.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A47J31/3633

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

• 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