USRE45476E1 - Coffee brewer - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved coffee brewer and brewing method are provided for producing brewed coffee with improved flavor. The coffee brewer includes a brew basket having jet ports connected to a source of heated water and positioned to deliver hot water streams into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of coffee grounds contained therein. These hot water streams turbulently agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds for improved flavor extraction and enhanced aroma. This fluidized bed is directed against one or more mesh filter elements forming a wall portion of the brew basket for outward passage of the thus-brewed coffee which is then directed into an underlying carafe or the like. In one preferred form, a portion of the brew basket may incorporate a window to permit visual observation of the fluidized bed therein.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/471,926, filed May 19, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to improvements in devices and systems for brewing coffee or the like. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved coffee brewer utilizing streams of heated water for turbulently agitating and stirring coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds, to yield brewed coffee having improved flavor and enhanced aroma and other characteristics.

Drip-style coffee brewers are available in a wide range of different configurations and sizes for use in residential or commercial environments to produce brewed coffee. Such coffee brewers commonly include a water reservoir from which a controlled volume of water is heated and then dispensed downwardly by dripping or spraying onto coffee grounds contained within an underlying, upwardly open brew basket. The hot water intermixes with the coffee grounds to produce the desired brewed coffee beverage which is drained from the brew basket through a filter element into an underlying coffee pot such as a carafe or decanter. In one common form, the brewer includes a refillable water reservoir from which the water is delivered through a heating element for drip-flow dispensing into the brew basket. Alternately, the brewer may be coupled directly to a tap water supply or the like.

While drip-style coffee brewers of the above described type have been used extensively for many years, the flavor and other characteristics of the brewed coffee is inconsistent and, in many cases, can be of marginal or unacceptable quality. Such problems are believed to stem from inadequate and/or inconsistent intermixing of the hot water with the coffee grounds contained in the brew basket, resulting in brewed coffee exhibiting inconsistent flavor and body traits, often including unacceptable bitter taste attributes. In this regard, the downward dispensing of hot water onto the initially dry coffee grounds in the underlying brew basket can produce erosion-type channels through the coffee grounds, wherein such channels can permit a significant portion of the water volume to pass through the coffee grounds and drip from the brew basket without significantly wetting or otherwise adequately intermixing therewith. While this channeling problem can sometimes be mitigated by carefully pre-distributing the coffee grounds substantially uniformly within the brew basket, significant attention to this aspect of the coffee brewing process is seldom given.

A variety of modified coffee brewers and related brewing processes have been provided in an attempt to overcome these problems and disadvantages by providing improved intermixing between the heated water and the coffee grounds within a filtered brew basket. In general, such concepts utilize mechanical stirring devices for improving thorough contact between the heated water and the coffee grounds. While such concepts may provide brewed coffee with enhanced and/or more consistent flavor characteristics, they inherently incorporate moving parts that increase the overall complexity and cost of the coffee brewer, and are susceptible to occasional break-down to require periodic repair or replacement.

There exists, therefore, a continuing need for further improvements in and to coffee brewers and related coffee brewing processes for achieving significantly improved intermixing between heated water and coffee grounds, for providing brewed coffee of consistent high quality and improved flavor and other desirable attributes, without requiring mechanical stirring devices and their attendant disadvantages. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an improved coffee brewer and brewing method are provided for producing brewed coffee with improved flavor. The coffee brewer includes a removably mounted brew basket having jet ports connected to a source of heated water and positioned to deliver hot water streams into the brew basket at a location for turbulently agitating and stirring coffee grounds contained therein to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds for improved flavor extraction. This fluidized bed is directed against one or more mesh filter elements forming a wall portion of the brew basket for outward passage of the thus-produced coffee which is then directed into an underlying carafe or the like.

In one preferred form, the coffee brewer includes a water reservoir coupled via a first check valve for flow in heat transfer relation with a heating unit. The heating unit elevates the temperature of the water substantially to the boiling point, whereupon the heated water flows through a second check valve to the brew basket. The heated water flows to and through the jet ports into the interior of the brew basket, with at least some of the jet ports being disposed at a position beneath the level of coffee grounds contained therein. As a result, the heated water is jetted or sprayed into and thoroughly wets the coffee grounds with an agitating and stirring action that is effective to lift, suspend, and turbulently stir the grounds in a manner to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne grounds. In the preferred form, the jet ports are oriented for rotationally stirring the coffee grounds with a substantial spinning or orbital path of motion.

The fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds provides improved and consistent intermixing of the heated water with the coffee grounds for enhanced flavor extraction with minimal bitter and/or other undesirable attributes. This spinning fluidized bed is directed by centrifugal action in a generally radially outward direction against an inboard side wall of the brew basket, a portion of which is defined by the mesh filter element or elements which permit outward flow-through passage of the brewed liquid coffee while substantially preventing outward passage of the coffee grounds. The brewed coffee passed through the filter element or elements is directed further as by gravity flow into an underlying coffee pot such as a carafe or decanter.

In accordance with a further preferred aspect of the invention, a frontal portion of the brew basket side wall comprises a substantially transparent window visible from the exterior of the coffee brewer, when the brew basket mounted is thereon. During a brewing cycle, the spinning fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds within the brew basket is thus externally observable.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view illustrating a coffee brewer in accordance with the present invention, with a carafe positioned beneath an overlying head of the coffee brewer for drip-flow reception of brewed coffee;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the coffee brewer ofFIG. 1, with the carafe removed;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the coffee brewer, with a hinged lid on the brewer head disposed in an open position to expose an underlying reservoir for pour-in reception of a volume of water for use in brewing coffee;

FIG. 4 is another top perspective view similar toFIG. 3, but depicting additional removal of a brew basket and cap therefor, to expose an upwardly open cavity on the brewer head for removably supporting the brew basket;

FIG. 5 is another top perspective view similar toFIG. 4, but showing further removal of an upper housing member of the brewer head, to exposed underlying water flow conduits;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the coffee brewer;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the brew basket;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the brew basket;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the brew basket;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line10-10 ofFIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmented sectional view showing a jet port in accordance with one preferred form of the invention, wherein heated water is jetted through the jet port into the brew basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the exemplary drawings, an improved coffee brewer referred to generally inFIGS. 1-6 by thereference numeral10 is provided for rapid and consistent high quality brewing of coffee. Thecoffee brewer10 includes a brew basket12 (FIGS. 4-10) for receiving a selected quantity of ground coffee (not shown). In accordance with a primary aspect of the invention, thebrew basket12 is adapted for connection to a source of heated water, and includes at least one and preferably a plurality of jet ports14 (FIGS.7 and9-11) positioned for agitating and turbulently stirring the coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of suspended and water-borne coffee grounds within thebrew basket12. This fluidized bed results in substantially improved and intimately thorough wetting contact and intermixing between the hot water and the coffee grounds, for achieving enhanced flavor extraction to consistently produce a high quality, fuller-bodied and more robust coffee beverage.

The improvedcoffee brewer10 of the present invention is shown generally in one preferred form inFIGS. 1-6. As depicted, thecoffee brewer10 comprises a relativelycompact base16 having aplaten18 formed or carried thereon with a size and shape suitable for secure rested support of acoffee pot20 such as a carafe or decanter or the like. An on-off button22 is exposed at a front side of thebase16 and may be depressed manually when brewing of a pot of coffee is desired, as will be described in more detail. A power cord24 (FIG. 1) protrudes rearwardly from thebase16 for connecting thebrewer10 to a suitable electrical power source.

Asupport post26 extends upwardly from a rear side of thebase16 to support anupper brewer head28 in a positioned generally cantilevered over the upwardlyopen coffee pot20 supported on thebase platen18. In general terms, thebrewer head28 comprises a relatively compact housing structure defining a water reservoir30 (FIGS. 3-4) for receiving a selected volume of water for use in brewing a pot of coffee, in combination with an upwardly open cavity32 (FIGS. 4-6) for removably supporting thebrew basket12. Upon depression of the on-offbutton22, water within thereservoir30 is delivered in heat exchange relation with aheating unit34 shown mounted within thebase16 as viewed inFIG. 6, and further to the brewerbasket jet ports14 for delivery into the interior of thebrew basket12 in the form of a plurality of pressurized or jetted hot water streams. These hot water jets turbulently stir and intermix with coffee grounds contained within thebrew basket12 to produce the fluidized bed or suspension of coffee grounds within a spinning and swirling body of water within the brew basket, to produce the improved, high quality, and consistent coffee beverage in accordance with the invention. This coffee beverage is filtered and delivered from the brew basket to the underlying coffee pot orcarafe20, ready for immediate use and enjoyment.

More particularly, as shown in more detail inFIGS. 3-6, theillustrative brewer head28 includes anupper housing bowl29 with an internal, generally vertically orienteddivider wall36 subdividing thebrewer head28 into the upwardlyopen water reservoir30 occupying a rearward region of thehead28, and thebrewer basket cavity32 at a forward region of thehead28. A rear hingedlid38 is provided on thebrewer head28 for normally closing thewater reservoir30, but thislid38 is adapted for quick and easy pivoting movement to an open position (as viewed inFIGS. 3-4) to permit a selected volume of water to be poured into thereservoir30. In a typical residential coffee maker, thereservoir30 may be sized for receiving a standardized volume of water, such as a water volume sufficient to brew a standardized volume of coffee, such as 8, 10 or 12 cups. Alternately, thebrewer head28 may include volumetric gradation marks (not shown) indicating the volume of water contained therein, to facilitate brewing of different selected volumes of coffee. As a further alternative, persons skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that thecoffee brewer10 may be connected directly to a tap water source or the like, in lieu of thereservoir30 for pour-in reception of a selected water volume.

Theupper housing bowl29 defining thewater reservoir30 is mounted on a lower housing shell39 (shown best inFIGS. 5-6) which is supported at an upper end of thesupport post26 in cantilevered relation spaced above thebase16. Water within thereservoir30 is coupled through aport40 formed in a bottom wall of the upper bowl29 (FIG. 6) to anunderlying receiver44 which is mounted on thelower shell39 within acompartment46 defined cooperatively between theupper bowl29 andlower shell39. Thisreceiver44 may include a spring-loaded valve positioned for engagement by theupper bowl29 for movement to an open position permitting downward water flow from thereservoir30, when theupper bowl29 is mounted on thelower shell39. Such downward water flow proceeds through thereceiver44 and further through a short supply conduit48 (FIGS. 5-6) which couples the water downflow to apassage50 formed in thesupport post26 and further to theheating unit34. A first check valve45 (FIG. 6) is mounted along thispassage50 within thesupport post26 to permit water downflow, but to prevent upward backflow from theheating unit34 toward thereservoir30.

Theheating unit34, although depicted generally inFIG. 6 by dotted lines, comprises a standard dual pathway device of the type known in the art for use in coffee brewers. In particular, theheating unit34 incorporates an electrical resistance heating element mounted within one annular pathway and disposed in heat transfer relation with water flow through an adjacent annular pathway. One exemplary dual pathway heating unit of this general type is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,956, which is incorporated by reference herein. With this construction, the water downflow through thepost passage50 is circulated though the water pathway of theheating unit34 which heats the water substantially to boiling. A downstream end of the water pathway through theheating unit34 is coupled to a second flow passage52 (FIG. 6) for upward or return flow to thebrewer head28.

The upwardreturn flow passage52 through thesupport post26 delivers the heated water through ashort transition conduit54 to an inverted, generallyU-shaped turn56 positioned within thewater reservoir30 and disposed at least slightly above a maximum fill level of the reservoir. This inverted and elevated conduit turn56 prevents water within thereservoir30 from draining past theturn56 when the reservoir is filled with water. A downstream end of the inverted conduit turn56 is coupled by anadditional supply conduit58 to asecond check valve60 mounted at the underside of theupper bowl29 to permit one-way flow-through passage of water from thesupply conduit58 to brewbasket12, but prevents backflow of water to theconduit58.

More particularly, thesecond check valve60 is positioned in aligned relation with an inflow port62 (FIGS. 3 and 6) formed in the bottom wall of theupper housing bowl29, at a location generally centered within thebrew basket cavity32. In this regard, as shown best inFIGS. 8 and 10, thebrew basket12 includes a downwardlyopen feed port64 having a size and shape for seated reception on theunderlying inflow port62, when thebrew basket12 is positioned within thebrew cavity32. Thisfeed port64 communicates water inflow from thesecond check valve60 to thejet ports14 of thebrew basket12.

Thebrew basket12 may comprise a generally bowl-shaped component constructed primarily from lightweight molded plastic or the like, to provide a generally upwardly open geometry defined by abottom wall66 joined to anupstanding side wall68 of generally cylindrical configuration. Thebottom wall68 is formed to include the downwardlyopen feed port64 for communicating hot water inflow upwardly into a false bottom or plenum chamber70 (FIG. 10) which distributes the hot water flow to at least one and preferably a plurality ofhollow ribs72 formed in theside wall68. In the preferred configuration as shown, three of saidhollow ribs72 are formed in theside wall68 at approximate 120° intervals, and each of theseribs72 includes a closed upper end and has at least one and preferablymultiple jet ports14 formed along the height thereof for jetting hot water streams into the interior of thebrew basket12.FIGS. 6-7 and9-10 illustrate eachhollow rib72 with a pair of vertically spacedjet ports14 positioned and aimed for jetting water streams generally tangentially in a common swirling direction (clockwise, as viewed inFIG. 9) into the brew basket interior.

At least thelower jet ports14 on thehollow ribs72 are positioned at a level below a normal level or upper surface of a bed of dry coffee grounds placed into thebrew basket12 for brewing coffee, as indicated approximately by the dottedline74 inFIG. 10. Thus, when the hot water is jetted through thejet ports14, at least a portion of the hot water stirs and agitates the body of coffee grounds to initiate a swirling or spinning action to create the fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds. That is, upon initial supply of hot water into thebrew basket12, water passing through thelower jets14 stirs and agitates the initially dry coffee grounds, whereas the upper jets may be disposed above the upper surface of the coffee grounds and thereby initially spray onto and wet that upper surface. As hot water flow continues, thebrew basket12 gradually fills substantially with water, while the agitating and stirring action of the lower jets continues. As the brew basket fills with water, the water level eventually increases to a point higher than theupper jets14, as indicated approximately by the dottedline76 inFIG. 10, whereby the upper andlower jets14 cooperatively stir and agitate the combined body of coffee grounds and water to suspend and swirl the coffee grounds in the form of a water-borne fluidized dispersion. Such action exposes the entire volume of the coffee grounds to the heated water thoroughly and substantially uniformly, and for substantially for the entire period of the brew cycle, to result in a significantly improved and consistently high quality brewed coffee beverage. Aremovable cap77 is normally provided to close the top of thebrew basket12 and thereby prevent undesired spilling of water or coffee grounds therefrom during the brewing procedure.

In one preferred form as illustrated inFIG. 11, thejets ports14 formed along thehollow ribs72 of thebrew basket12 may be designed for minimizing or eliminating undesirable inflow or ingestion of particle-laden coffee when the supply of hot water to thejet ports14 terminates. As shown inFIG. 11, eachjet port14 can be shaped to define a tapered profile with a cross sectional size that reduces toward a downstream or discharge end thereof, in combination with afilter screen15 which can be formed as by in-place plastic molding generally at an upstream or inlet end of thejet port14. Upon supply of hot water to the jet port, the water passes freely through thefilter screen15 and then outwardly through thejet port14 at a substantial velocity for intermixing with the coffee grounds within the brew basket. Upon cessation of the hot water flow, any particulate grounds which may flow or be drawn into thejet port14 are collected on the downstream side of thefilter screen15, where they cannot clog internal flow passages of the coffee maker apparatus. Instead, such collected grounds are retained on thescreen15 where they are hydraulically delivered back into thebrew basket12 during a subsequent brew cycle. Alternative structures for capturing ingested coffee grounds and/or for preventing backflow of such coffee grounds into and/or through thejet ports14 will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

The thus-produced fluidized bed is swirled by centrifugal action against the inboard side of the brewbasket side wall68, a portion of which is defined by one or more mesh or mesh-like filter elements78.Such filter elements78 are supported by thebrew basket12 in slightly spaced relation to theadjacent divider wall36 to define a flow pathway for brewed coffee to pass therebetween to a drip outlet port79 (FIG. 6) formed in theupper bowl29 and an underlying drip outlet port80 (FIGS. 5-6) formed in thelower shell39. Thislatter outlet port80 is positioned over the upwardlyopen coffee pot20, whereby the brewed coffee flows downwardly for collection within thepot20.

As viewed inFIGS. 1-6, thebrew basket cavity32 formed in theupper housing bowl29 may intersect and thereby interrupt a forward region of thebowl29, to form anarcuate recess83 to expose a frontal portion orsegment82 of thebrew basket12 at a front side of thebrewer head28. In this regard, this exposedfrontal segment82 of thebrew basket12 is desirably formed from a transparent or partially transparent material to permit visual observation of the swirling and spinning fluidized bed during the brewing procedure. A lower margin of therecess83 in theupper bowl29 is disposed above thedrip outlet port79. Theremovable cap77 may also be formed from a transparent or partially transparent material.

In use, to brew a pot of coffee, a selected volume of water is poured into thewater reservoir30, and thebrew basket12 containing a selected quantity of ground coffee is placed into the associatedbrew basket cavity32 in thebrewer head28. A portion of the water within thereservoir30 will flow downwardly through thefirst check valve45 to fill the associated pathway within theheating unit34. Then, upon depression of the on-off button22, theheating unit34 is energized to raise the temperature of the water therein substantially to boiling, resulting in pressure-forced pumping the hot water upwardly through the inverted and elevatedinverted conduit turn56 and further through thesecond check valve60 to thejet ports14 within thebrew basket12. This upwardly pumped water is replaced by continued water downflow from thereservoir30, for heating by theheating unit34, until thereservoir30 reaches a substantially empty condition. The hot water is jetted into the interior of thebrew basket12 via thejet ports14, as described, to generate the swirling turbulent fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds. The thus-brewed coffee is filtered through themesh filter elements78 for delivery into the underlyingpot20, wherein the brewed coffee may be retained in a heated state by suitably controlling theheating unit34 for heating theplaten18. Alternately, theheating unit34 may be designed to de-activate and the brewed coffee may be retained within an insulated decanter. Following this brew cycle, thebrew basket12 may be removed from thebrewer head28 for appropriate cleaning and discarding of the spent coffee grounds retained on the filter elements. Thereafter, thebrew basket12 may be refilled with coffee grounds for a subsequent brew cycle.

Theimproved coffee brewer10 of the present invention thus produces brewed coffee by means of intimately thorough and consistent intermixing between the hot water and coffee grounds, to produce a coffee beverage of repeatable high quality taste and other characteristics. In addition, because the heated water passes directly into the coffee grounds, the resultant steam rising from the fluidized bed is believed to carry enhanced or intensified coffee aroma, thereby producing an enhanced of more enjoyable coffee brewing experience.

A variety of further modifications and improvements in and to thecoffee brewer10 of the present invention will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (19)

What is claimed is:

1. A coffee brewer, comprising:

a brew basket for receiving a quantity of ground coffee;

a plurality of jet ports for introducing a plurality of hot water streams into said brew basket, at least one of said jet ports being positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein, whereby the hot water streams introduced into said brew basket agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee; and

at least one filter element for passage of the brewed coffee substantially without passage of the coffee grounds;

said brew basket defining a plenum chamber in flow communication with said jet ports, and an open feed port for receiving a supply of hot water into said plenum chamber;

said brew basket having an upwardly open configuration defining a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall, said bottom wall defining said open feed port for receiving a supply of hot water into said plenum chamber, said side wall defining a plurality of hollow upstanding ribs in flow communication with said plenum chamber and each further defining at least one of said jet ports positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein.

2. The coffee brewer ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one filter element defines a wall portion of said brew basket.

3. The coffee brewer ofclaim 1 further including means for directing the brewed coffee from said at least one filter element for flow into a coffee pot.

4. The coffee brewer ofclaim 1 wherein said brew basket further includes a substantially transparent window to permit visual observation of the water-agitated coffee grounds contained therein.

5. The coffee brewer ofclaim 1 wherein said jet ports are positioned and aimed for jetting water streams generally tangentially into said brew basket in a common swirling direction.

6. The coffee brewer ofclaim 1 wherein each of said hollow ribs defines a plurality of said jet ports, at least one of which is positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein.

7. The coffee brewer ofclaim 1 further including a brewer head defining an upwardly open brew cavity for removably receiving and supporting said brew basket, said brewer head further including a drip outlet port for guided drip flow passage of brewed coffee passing through said at least one filter element into a coffee pot.

8. The coffee brewer ofclaim 7 wherein said brewer head further includes a hot water inflow port for seated engagement with said brew basket feed port, when said brew basket is positioned within said brew cavity.

9. A coffee brewer, comprising:

a brew basket for receiving a quantity of ground coffee:

a plurality of jet ports for introducing a plurality of hot water streams into said brew basket, at least one of said jet ports being positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein, whereby the hot water streams introduced into said brew basket agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee;

at least one filter element for passage of the brewed coffee substantially without passage of the coffee grounds;

said brew basket defining a plenum chamber in flow communication with said jet ports, and an open feed port for receiving a supply of hot water into said plenum chamber;

a brewer head defining an upwardly open brew cavity for removably receiving and supporting said brew basket, said brewer head further including a drip outlet port for guided drip flow passage of brewed coffee passing through said at least one filter element into a coffee pot; and

further including a base platen for removably supporting a coffee pot in position for drip flow reception of brewed coffee passing through said drip outlet port.

10. The coffee brewer ofclaim 9 further including a support post for supporting said brewer head in spaced relation above said base platen.

11. The coffee brewer ofclaim 9 wherein said base platen further includes a heating element.

12. A coffee brewer, comprising:

a brew basket for receiving a quantity of ground coffee;

a plurality of jet ports for introducing a plurality of hot water streams into said brew basket, at least one of said jet ports being positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein, whereby the hot water streams introduced into said brew basket agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee;

at least one filter element for passage of the brewed coffee substantially without passage of the coffee grounds;

said brew basket defining a plenum chamber in flow communication with said jet ports, and an open feed port for receiving a supply of hot water into said plenum chamber; and

further including a reservoir for receiving a supply of water, a heating element, a first check valve for permitting unidirectional flow of water from said reservoir into heat exchange relation with said heating element to produce hot water, and a second check valve for permitting unidirectional flow of said hot water to said at least one jet port.

13. A coffee brewer, comprising:

a brew basket for receiving a quantity of ground coffee;

a plurality of hollow, generally upstanding ribs positioned within said brew basket, each of said ribs being coupled to a supply of hot water, and each of said ribs including at least one jet port for introducing a plurality of hot water streams into said brew basket, at least one of said jet ports on at least one of said ribs being positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein to agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee; and

at least one filter element carried by said brew basket for passage of the brewed coffee substantially without passage of the coffee grounds.

14. The coffee brewer ofclaim 13 further including a brewer head defining an upwardly open brew cavity for removably receiving and supporting said brew basket.

15. The coffee brewer ofclaim 14 wherein said brewer head further defines a hot water inflow port for seated engagement with said brew basket and in flow communication with each of said hollow ribs, when said brew basket is positioned within said brew cavity.

16. The coffee brewer ofclaim 14 wherein said hollow ribs are positioned within said brew basket when said brew basket is positioned within said brew cavity.

17. The coffee brewer ofclaim 14 wherein said hollow ribs are formed integrally with said brew basket.

18. The coffee brewer ofclaim 13 wherein each of said hollow ribs includes at least one jet port positioned to deliver a hot water stream into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of ground coffee contained therein.

19. The coffee brewer ofclaim 13 wherein said jet ports are positioned and aimed for jetting water streams generally tangentially into said brew basket in a common swirling direction.

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