Apparatus for brewing beverages such as coffee and the like

Apparatus for brewing a beverage, which comprises:

• a) a generally cylindrical housing having an inner storage compartment concentric therewith for receiving and retaining brewed beverage;
• b) a water reservoir adjacent to and generally concentric with said inner chamber, for receiving water;
• c) a rotatable brew valve positioned within said housing and above said inner storage compartment for supporting brewing ingredients for brewing the beverage, said brew valve being rotatable between a first inactive position for reception of brewing ingredients, and a second brewing position for receiving heated water for brewing the beverage, and for permitting the brewed beverage to exit said brew valve;
• d) means for heating the water contained in said water reservoir;
• and
• e) a water tube positioned within said water reservoir for directing heated water from said water reservoir to said brew valve and onto said brewing ingredients to brew the beverage,
• whereby, when said brew valve is rotated to the brewing position, said heating means is activated to heat the water in said water reservoir, such that heated water flows to said brew valve and onto said brewing ingredients to produce the brewed beverage, and the brewed beverage is permitted to exit said brew valve and flow into said storage compartment.

Apparatus for brewing coffee, which comprises:

• a) a generally cylindrically shaped housing having a lower housing portion and a removable upper housing portion, said lower housing portion having an inner storage compartment concentric therewith for receiving and retaining brewed coffee;
• b) a water reservoir adjacent to and generally concentric with said inner chamber, for receiving water;
• c) a spherically shaped brew valve positioned within said upper housing portion and adapted for supporting coffee grounds, said brew valve being rotatable between an upright brewing position for supporting the coffee grounds in position for brewing coffee, and an opposite position for gaining access therein for depositing coffee grounds and for cleaning said brew valve;
• d) an electrical coil for heating the water contained in said water reservoir;
• e) means to activate said electrical coil for heating the water contained in said water reservoir when said brew valve is rotated to said upright position;
• f) a water riser tube positioned within said water reservoir for directing heated water from said water reservoir to said brew valve and onto said coffee grounds;
• and
• g) a pour spout capable of being opened and closed for selectively pouring coffee from said inner storage compartment,
• whereby, when said brew valve is rotated to said upright brewing position, said heating means is activated to heat the water in said water reservoir, such that heated fluid flows to said brew valve and onto said coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee, and the brewed coffee is permitted to exit said brew valve and flow into said inner chamber.

A method for brewing coffee in an apparatus having a housing having an inner storage compartment for receiving and retaining brewed coffee, a water reservoir adjacent to and generally surrounding said inner storage compartment for receiving water, means for heating the water contained in said water reservoir, a spherically shaped brew valve positioned above said inner chamber, said brew valve being rotatable between a first inactive position for receiving coffee grounds, and a second active brewing position for activating said water heating means, and for receiving heated water onto the coffee grounds for brewing coffee and for permitting the brewed coffee to exit said brew valve, and a water riser tube for directing heated water from said water reservoir to said brew valve, comprising:

• a) pouring water into said water reservoir;
• b) rotating said brew valve to said second active brewing position to activate said heating means such that the water heated thereby rises in said riser tube to said brew valve and deposits onto the coffee grounds before exiting said brew valve;
• and
• c) collecting the brewed coffee in said inner chamber.

Apparatus for brewing coffee, which comprises:

• a) a housing having an inner chamber for receiving and retaining brewed coffee;
• b) a water reservoir adjacent to and generally surrounding said inner chamber for receiving water;
• c) means for heating the water contained in said water reservoir;
• d) a brew valve positioned above said inner chamber for supporting coffee grounds, said brew valve comprising a spherical member which includes a coffee filter screen which is removable to provide access to the inner space of said brew valve for adding coffee grounds, cleaning and the like, said brew valve being movable between a first inactive position and a second active position for brewing coffee;
• e) a fluid riser tube associated with said water reservoir for receiving heated water to be directed to said brew valve, said riser tube being associated with at least one pressure activated valve to permit heated water to rise to said brew valve;
• and
• f) means for directing heated water from said water reservoir to said brew valve and to said coffee grounds,
• whereby, when said brew valve is in said active position, said heating means may be activated to heat the water in said water reservoir, such that heated water flows to said brew valve and to said coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee, and into said inner chamber.