Vacuum brewed beverage machine and vacuum brewing method

Abstract

The desired amount of coffee grounds, tea leaves, herbs or other beverage making material is placed in a chamber of glass vessel located on a moveable table top in its lowered position. The table top is then elevated until the upper edge of the vessel seals against a top seal. With the top sealed, the desired amount of water of about 185°-212° F. is introduced into the chamber through a port in the top. Thereafter, a vacuum is drawn in the chamber and is held within the range of about −5 to −20 Hg in. Using an external heat source, the brewing liquid is maintained at about 185°-212° F. Alternatively, the vacuum can be pulsed by turning it on and off several times during the brewing cycle. After the beverage has brewed for the desired amount of time, the heat and vacuum are removed, the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and the table top is lowered to release the vessel. The contents of the chamber are then strained to remove solids from the beverage.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for brewing beverages comprising:
 a vessel having a chamber for holding a quantity of a solid beverage brewing material;   a supply of water and means for introducing said water into said chamber;   means for sealing said chamber from the atmosphere, and   a vacuum source located outside of said chamber and connected to said chamber for creating a vacuum within said chamber and for maintaining said vacuum within said chamber while said beverage brewing material is brewing in said water.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said vessel is comprised of glass so that the contents of said chamber can be viewed during brewing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said vessel has an open top and wherein said means for sealing includes a lid for said top. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 14  further including means for moving said vessel and said lid toward each other in order to seal said lid onto the top of said vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said means for moving moves said vessel upwardly toward said lid. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said lid includes a port therein through which said water can be supplied to said chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said lid includes a port therein through which said vacuum can be supplied to said chamber 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said supply of water is a hot water supply. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said hot water is in the range of about 185° to about 212° F. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 19  further including a heat source for heating the contents of said vessel after the water is supplied thereto. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a filter at the bottom of the chamber, such that separation of at least part of the solid brewing material from the water occurs when the water is forced through the filter. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the separation is automated. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus for brewing beverages as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the supply of water is around or below room temperature. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for brewing beverages comprising:
 a vessel having a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid;   a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and   a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber, wherein said vacuum source is positioned outside of said sealable chamber.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said vessel comprises glass. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a lid for said chamber, wherein said lid includes at least one port for introducing said liquid or reducing pressure in said sealable chamber. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said lid seals said chamber when in contact with the top of said vessel. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising a lift for lifting said vessel upwardly to contact said lid. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a heat source for heating said liquid prior to introduction into the chamber. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a heat source for heating said liquid after introduced into the chamber. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said vacuum source is a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said vacuum source is a venturi. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a filter for removing at least a portion of the brewing material from said liquid.