US 2,002,129,712 · Filed 2002-03-15

How Procter & Gamble Automated the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Imagine a coffee maker that orchestrates every step—heating water to the right temperature, pumping it through grounds at the perfect speed, and controlling the whole thing through a smart interface. That's what this patent covers: a fully automated brewing system where a central controller manages the reservoir, heater, pump, and even water filters to make consistently excellent coffee at the push of a button.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

What's protected here is an automated beverage brewing system where a central controller coordinates multiple components—a fluid reservoir, heating element, pump, and directional valve—to brew beverages under programmed conditions. The claims cover the specific arrangement and communication between these parts, including optional purification stages and user interface controls that allow someone to initiate and customize a brewing cycle without manual intervention at each step.

Why it matters

This patent represents the shift from manual coffee-making to fully automated, repeatable brewing at home. By patenting the integrated system architecture—not just one component—Procter & Gamble protected a design approach that competitors would have to work around if they wanted to offer a similarly smart, coordinated brewer. The patent covers the intelligence layer that ties together plumbing, heating, and user input, which became central to modern pod-based and programmable coffee systems.

Real-world use

Every time you walk past a Keurig machine or similar single-serve brewer that remembers your temperature preference and brews at the touch of a button, you're using technology shaped by patents like this one that automated the entire brewing choreography.

Original USPTO abstract

The present disclosure relates to beverage brewing systems which are useful for preparing fresh brewed beverages from a beverage brewing device. In particular, the present invention relates a brewing system comprising a system controller for directing the operation of a fluid reservoir, pump, heater, a fluid direction mechanism, fluid insertion devices, and a user interface. Optionally, the system may provide a fluid purification device. Theses systems are especially advantageous in the preparation of brewed coffee beverages.

Patent details

Publication number: US 2,002,129,712
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Grant date: Application — not yet granted
Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
Inventor(s): WESTBROOK ANNE MARIE, DALTON DAVID ANDREW
CPC class: A47J31/369

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