US 6,142,063 · Granted 2000-11-07

The Patent Behind Keurig's Single-Serve Brewing Revolution

Keurig invented an automated system that measures out exact amounts of water using compressed air instead of traditional pumps, then forces that water through grounds to brew a perfect cup every time. A computer watches the air pressure to know when the right amount has been delivered, then refills automatically for the next brew.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

The claim covers an automated brewing system where a sealed metering chamber sits partly submerged in a water tank and uses compressed air to push a precise measured amount of liquid out through an outlet port. What's protected here is the specific method of using air pressure instead of mechanical pumps to meter and dispense liquid, combined with the controller's ability to monitor pressure drops to determine when the correct volume has been delivered, and the automatic refill cycle triggered by venting the chamber to ambient pressure.

Why it matters

This patent represents core technology behind Keurig's single-serve coffee brewing system, which disrupted the coffee industry by making pod-based brewing mainstream. The air-pressure metering approach allows for reliable, repeatable brewing without complex mechanical pumps, making compact home machines practical and affordable. This kind of precision-dosing technology became fundamental to Keurig's competitive advantage in the single-serve market.

Real-world use

Every time you drop a K-Cup into your Keurig machine and press brew, this patented air-metering and pressure-sensing system is precisely measuring and delivering hot water through your coffee grounds.

Original USPTO abstract

An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces a predetermined amount of liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of the predetermined amount of liquid from the metering chamber. The controller then commands the pump off several seconds after detecting a drop in air pressure within the chamber, indicating that the predetermined amount of liquid has been delivered to the brewing chamber. The chamber is then vented to ambient pressure, which opens the sealable liquid inlet port and refills the chamber.

Patent details

Publication number: US 6,142,063
Filing date: 1999-01-19
Grant date: 2000-11-07
Assignee: Keurig, Inc.
Inventor(s): BEAULIEU; RODERICK H., WUERTELE; JAMES W., SWEENEY; RICHARD P., SYLVAN; JOHN E., FOCHT; KENNETH A., KWO; JENNIE
CPC class: A47J31/56

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