Improvements in brewing
AssigneeThe Greater Good Fresh Brewing Co Ltd
InventorsRalph BROADBENT, Alex DIXON, Simon MAWBEY, Jed TAYLOR, Duncan GORDAN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for brewing and dispensing a beverage comprising a fermentation container for containing and fermenting a beverage, the fermentation container comprising a first outlet, and a collector for collecting waste from the fermentation container, the collector being attachable to and detachable from the fermentation container at the first outlet.
Claims99
An apparatus for brewing and dispensing a beverage, such as an alcoholic beverage, comprising:
- a fermentation container for containing and fermenting a beverage, the fermentation container comprising a first outlet;
- and
- a collector for collecting waste from the fermentation container, the collector being attachable to and detachable from the fermentation container at the first outlet, wherein the first outlet is moveable between:
- a first position in which the first outlet is configured to form a pressure-tight seal to seal the fermentation container when the collector is not attached to the fermentation container;
- and
- a second position in which the first outlet is configured to allow fluid communication between the fermentation container and the collector when the collector is attached to the fermentation container so that waste from the fermentation container collects in the collector.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outlet comprises a plug that is moveable between a first position in which the first outlet is in its first position and a second position in which the outlet is in its second position.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tap assembly that is attachable to and detachable from the fermentation container for dispensing a beverage from the fermentation container.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fermentation container further comprises a safety valve for allowing gas to exit the fermentation container during fermentation.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fermentation container further comprises a dosing valve for injecting brewing ingredients into the fermentation container whilst maintaining the pressure within the fermentation container.
The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fermentation container is configured to use the CO2 produced during primary fermentation to carbonate the beverage.
A collector for collecting waste from a fermentation container, the collector comprising;
- a chamber for containing waste;
- and
- an inlet for allowing waste to enter the chamber,
- wherein the inlet is movable between:
- a first configuration in which the inlet is sealed and waste is prevented from entering the chamber;
- and
- a second configuration in which the inlet is unsealed and waste is allowed to enter the chamber.
A method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising;
- a fermentation container for containing and fermenting a beverage;
- and
- a collector for collecting waste from the fermentation container, the collector being attachable to and detachable from the fermentation container;
- fermenting a beverage in the fermentation container and collecting waste in the collector;
- and
- carbonating the beverage in the fermentation container.
A package containing ingredients for brewing an alcoholic beverage, wherein the package is shaped and sized so that it can fit through a standard domestic letterbox.
A tap assembly for a fermentation apparatus comprising:
- an aperture for allowing passage of a fluid therethrough;
- a moveable component that is moveable between a first position in which the moveable component completely blocks the aperture to a plurality of second positions in which the moveable component only partially blocks the aperture or does not block the aperture;
- and
- an actuator for moving the moveable component.
A tap assembly for a fermentation apparatus comprising:
- an aperture for allowing passage of a fluid therethrough;
- and
- a hood operably connected to the outlet, wherein the hood is configured to prevent sediment from blocking the outlet.
A tap assembly for a fermentation apparatus comprising:
- an outlet for allowing passage of a fluid therethrough;
- an actuator for permitting or preventing passage of a fluid through the outlet;
- and
- a handle configured to be attached to and detached from the actuator,
- wherein the handle is attachable to the actuator magnetically.
A tap assembly for a fermentation apparatus comprising:
- a first conduit for allowing passage of a fluid therethrough;
- a second conduit for allowing passage of a fluid therethrough;
- and
- a movable component that is movable between a first position in which passage of fluid is only permitted through the first conduit and at least one second position in which passage of fluid is permitted through the first conduit and the second conduit.
A tap assembly comprising:
- a tap holder;
- and
- a tap that is removably attachable to the tap holder,
- wherein the tap is rotatable relative to the tap holder between a locked position in which removal of the tap from the tap holder is prevented and an unlocked position in which removal of the tap from the tap holder is permitted.
A valve for a fermentation container comprising:
- an aperture;
- a stopper configured to at least partially seal the aperture;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the stopper,
- wherein the actuator is configured to apply variable force to the stopper to vary the resistance of the valve.
A fermentation apparatus comprising:
- a fermentation container;
- and
- a cap that is attachable to the fermentation container and is configured to seal the fermentation container when the cap is attached to the fermentation container,
- wherein the cap comprises a handle, and
- wherein the handle is movable between a first position in which the handle is graspable by a user and a second position in which the cap is prevented from being removed from the fermentation container when the cap is attached to the fermentation container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.