A hot beverage preparation system and related method of use. The system includes a brewing machine that can deliver a finished brewed beverage such as coffee or tea accompanied by frothed supplementary liquid such as milk or milk substitute. The supplementary liquid is heated and frothed by a superheated jet or stream of water in liquid state dispensed from a nozzle the machine. This permits a less volume of water to be used to heat liquid which minimizes dilatation of the brewed beverage. The superheated water is injected directly into the supplementary liquid without contact with the nozzle which prevents cross-contamination. The system may use tandem water boiler to progressively heat the water to superheated conditions. A flow bypass may be provided which extracts and mixes heated water output from each of two boilers at different temperatures during the brewing cycle which follows the supplementary liquid heating/frothing step.
A beverage brewing system which includes a container and a beverage brewing apparatus. The container may include a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage ingredient. The body portion may be flexible so that when it is unimpeded during a beverage vend is can expand from an initial volume to a maximum volume. The beverage brewing apparatus may support the container and may include an expansion limiter that can limit the expansion of the container during the beverage vend. The beverage brewing apparatus may operate in a first mode whereby the expansion limiter does not impede the container and the container expands from the initial state to the maximum expanded state during the beverage vend. The beverage brewing apparatus may operate in a second mode whereby the expansion limiter impedes the container and prevents the container from expanding to the maximum expanded state during the beverage vend.
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
A47J 31/46 - Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
A beverage brewing system which includes a container and a beverage brewing apparatus. The container may include a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage ingredient. The body portion may be flexible so that when it is unimpeded during a beverage vend is can expand from an initial volume to a maximum volume. The beverage brewing apparatus may support the container and may include an expansion limiter that can limit the expansion of the container during the beverage vend. The beverage brewing apparatus may operate in a first mode whereby the expansion limiter does not impede the container and the container expands from the initial state to the maximum expanded state during the beverage vend. The beverage brewing apparatus may operate in a second mode whereby the expansion limiter impedes the container and prevents the container from expanding to the maximum expanded state during the beverage vend.
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
5.
BEVERAGE MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRIMING A BEVERAGE MACHINE
A method for priming a beverage machine prior to vending a beverage. The beverage machine may include a reservoir tank, a hot tank, and a recirculation conduit that form a recirculation loop. The method may include measuring a temperature of a liquid in a hot tank of the beverage machine at boot-up. Upon the beverage machine being instructed to vend a beverage, the method may include priming the beverage machine by circulating a priming volume of the liquid through the recirculation loop. The priming volume may be a first volume when the temperature of the liquid in the hot tank is below a first threshold temperature and a second volume when the temperature of the liquid in the hot tank is above the first threshold temperature, the first volume being greater than the second volume. Idle time of the beverage machine may result in adjustments to the priming volume.
A programmable carbonated beverage preparation system (100) and related method of use. The system includes a gas source (118) containing carbon dioxide fluidly coupled to a carbonation chamber (302). The chamber holds an inventory of chilled water with its level controlled by a level sensor (117) and pump (116) fluidly coupled to a water source (114) through a cold block (302) in one embodiment. The chamber (302) may be formed within the cold block (302) which includes parallel coolant and chilled water passageways (312), (320) for chilling water from the water source. A regulator (119) reduces gas pressure from the source (118) which then partially fills the chamber (302). When a user selects a beverage size via a controller (200), the system dispenses carbonated water until a pre-programmed setpoint pressure ratio is reach which is indicative of a volume of carbonated water dispensed corresponding to the selected beverage size. Initial moles of gas in the chamber need not be known for performing the process.
A hot beverage preparation system and related method of use. The system includes a brewing machine that can deliver a finished brewed beverage such as coffee or tea accompanied by frothed supplementary liquid such as milk or milk substitute. The supplementary liquid is heated and frothed by a superheated jet or stream of water in liquid state dispensed from a nozzle the machine. This permits a less volume of water to be used to heat liquid which minimizes dilatation of the brewed beverage. The superheated water is injected directly into the supplementary liquid without contact with the nozzle which prevents cross-contamination. The system may use tandem water boiler to progressively heat the water to superheated conditions. A flow bypass may be provided which extracts and mixes heated water output from each of two boilers at different temperatures during the brewing cycle which follows the supplementary liquid heating/frothing step.
A method, apparatus, and/or system may be provided for dispensing a beverage. In an example, a beverage preparation machine may include a container compartment for receiving a beverage packet comprising beverage ingredients. An outlet may be configured to dispense a beverage flavored by the beverage packet. A communication interface may be configured to receive a wireless signal from an electronic device, the wireless signal comprising an identifier of the electronic device. A processor may be operably coupled to the communication interface. The processor may be configured to receive the identifier of the electronic device; associate the identifier of the electronic device with a user and a beverage preference of the user; and cause the beverage dispensed by the outlet to be based on the beverage preference of the user.
A method, system, and device (e.g., dispensing nozzle) for providing a fluid to beverage ingredients located within a receptacle is described. A dispensing nozzle may contain two or more inlets and an outlet. A first inlet may be configured to receive the fluid having a first temperature at a first pressure or a first velocity. A second inlet may be configured to receive the fluid having the first temperature at a second pressure or a second velocity. A third inlet may be configured to receive the fluid having a second temperature at the first pressure or the first velocity. A fourth inlet may be configured to receive the fluid having the second temperature at the second pressure or the second velocity; and the outlet may be configured to dispense the fluid having the first or second temperatures or the first or second pressures or velocities.
G07F 13/10 - Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing of fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
G07F 13/06 - Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing of fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
A47J 31/46 - Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
10.
BEVERAGE MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRIMING A BEVERAGE MACHINE
A method for priming a beverage machine prior to vending a beverage. The beverage machine may include a reservoir tank, a hot tank, and a recirculation conduit that form a recirculation loop. The method may include measuring a temperature of a liquid in a hot tank of the beverage machine at boot-up. Upon the beverage machine being instructed to vend a beverage, the method may include priming the beverage machine by circulating a priming volume of the liquid through the recirculation loop. The priming volume may be a first volume when the temperature of the liquid in the hot tank is below a first threshold temperature and a second volume when the temperature of the liquid in the hot tank is above the first threshold temperature, the first volume being greater than the second volume. Idle time of the beverage machine may result in adjustments to the priming volume.
A method for priming a beverage machine prior to vending a beverage. The beverage machine may include a reservoir tank, a hot tank, and a recirculation conduit that form a recirculation loop. The method may include measuring a temperature of a liquid in a hot tank of the beverage machine at boot-up. Upon the beverage machine being instructed to vend a beverage, the method may include priming the beverage machine by circulating a priming volume of the liquid through the recirculation loop. The priming volume may be a first volume when the temperature of the liquid in the hot tank is below a first threshold temperature and a second volume when the temperature of the liquid in the hot tank is above the first threshold temperature, the first volume being greater than the second volume. Idle time of the beverage machine may result in adjustments to the priming volume.
Described herein is a beverage preparation ingredient for cold-brewing, the beverage preparation ingredient comprising a blend of a water-insoluble drink powder and a water-soluble drink powder.
Described herein is a beverage preparation ingredient for cold-brewing, the beverage preparation ingredient comprising a blend of a water-insoluble drink powder and a water-soluble drink powder.
A nozzle, such as a nozzle for use as a part of a beverage preparation package. The nozzle may include a nozzle body with a conduit, the conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end. The nozzle may also include a plug that is connected to the nozzle body in a detachable manner. The plug and the conduit may be configured such that, when the plug is detached from the nozzle body, the plug is adapted to travel along the conduit and be retained within the conduit at the outlet end such that fluid can flow through the conduit from the inlet end towards the outlet end.
B65D 47/10 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubesClosures with discharging devices other than pumps with discharge nozzles or passages having frangible closures
B65D 75/58 - Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
B65D 85/804 - Disposable containers or packages with contents which are infused or dissolved in situ
A beverage preparation capsule including front and back sheets that are bonded together along a top edge, first and second side edges, and a bottom edge. A region of bonding along the bottom edge may be releasable to allow escape of beverage from the capsule during beverage preparation. There may be a transverse seal that is interrupted by a gap that provides fluid communication between a beverage ingredient chamber located above said gap and a beverage outlet chamber located below said gap. A folded filter strip extending across the capsule includes a fold extending transversely below said transverse seal and front and back side panels extending upwardly through said transverse seal that are bonded to the front and back sheets of the capsule, respectively. The front and back side panels may not extend more than about 10 mm into said beverage ingredient chamber above said transverse seal.
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
16.
CUP, STACK OF CUPS, AND BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE CONTAINING THE SAME
A vending cup, a stack of cups for a beverage vending machine, and a beverage vending machine containing one or more of the stacks of cups. The cups may be formed from paper and may include a bottom end, a rim, a floor, and a sidewall that includes a first portion extending from the floor to the rim and a second portion extending from the floor to the bottom end. The cups may include apertures in the second portion of the sidewall, which may be notches extending from the bottom end of the cup or through-holes having a closed-geometric shape. The second portion of the sidewall may be oriented obliquely relative to the first portion of the sidewall. Thus, the first and second portions of the sidewall may be noncoplanar.
G07F 13/10 - Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing of fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
B65D 85/816 - Disposable containers or packages with contents which are infused or dissolved in situ into which liquid is added, e.g. cups preloaded with powder or dehydrated food
B65D 21/02 - Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
17.
SMART BEVERAGE SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF USING SAME
A method for making and/or dispensing a beverage may be provided. For example, a beverage may be selected from a user interface of a beverage dispensing apparatus (100). A beverage pressure value may be provided. A package (120) containing a beverage preparation ingredient (122) may be inserted into the beverage dispensing apparatus (100). A type of the inserted package may be detected. A package pressure value for the inserted package may be determined based on the type of the inserted package. If the package pressure value corresponds to the beverage pressure value, the beverage dispensing apparatus may inject a liquid into the inserted package at the beverage pressure value. If the package pressure value does not correspond to the beverage pressure value, the beverage dispensing apparatus may inject the liquid into the inserted package at the package pressure value. The selected beverage and/or the modified beverage may be dispensed into a drinking vessel.
A method for making and/or dispensing a beverage may be provided. For example, a beverage may be selected from a user interface of a beverage dispensing apparatus (100). A beverage pressure value may be provided. A package (120) containing a beverage preparation ingredient (122) may be inserted into the beverage dispensing apparatus (100). A type of the inserted package may be detected. A package pressure value for the inserted package may be determined based on the type of the inserted package. If the package pressure value corresponds to the beverage pressure value, the beverage dispensing apparatus may inject a liquid into the inserted package at the beverage pressure value. If the package pressure value does not correspond to the beverage pressure value, the beverage dispensing apparatus may inject the liquid into the inserted package at the package pressure value. The selected beverage and/or the modified beverage may be dispensed into a drinking vessel.
A beverage vending system that is configured to vend a beverage in a paper cup and present the cup with the beverage therein to a consumer. The paper cup may be devoid of any plastic liner so that it can be recycled along with normal paper waste. The beverage vending system may include a beverage machine having scrolls that support the cups in a stack and, upon receipt of instructions to vend a beverage, cause the scrolls to rotate to dispense the cups. The cups may be pre-filled with a beverage ingredient. Distal surfaces of support ledges of the scrolls may contact an under rim portion of a lowermost cup in the stack, and such contact may help to ensure that the cups are consistently dispensed and vended without failure and without damage to the cup.
G07F 13/10 - Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing of fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
G07F 13/06 - Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing of fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
A47F 1/08 - Containers with arrangements for dispensing articles dispensing from bottom
B65H 3/26 - Separating articles from piles by separators engaging folds, flaps, or projections of articles
B65H 3/28 - Separating articles from piles by screw or like separators
B65H 3/30 - Separating articles from piles by escapement devicesSeparating articles from piles from staggered pilesSeparating articles from piles from piles of articles having staggered formations, e.g. cuts or perforations
B65H 3/42 - Separating articles from piles by two or more separators mounted for movement with, or relative to, rotary or oscillating bodies
A method, apparatus, and/or system may be provided for dispensing a beverage. In an example, a beverage preparation machine may include a container compartment for receiving a beverage packet comprising beverage ingredients. An outlet may be configured to dispense a beverage flavored by the beverage packet. A communication interface may be configured to receive a wireless signal from an electronic device, the wireless signal comprising an identifier of the electronic device. A processor may be operably coupled to the communication interface. The processor may be configured to receive the identifier of the electronic device; associate the identifier of the electronic device with a user and a beverage preference of the user; and cause the beverage dispensed by the outlet to be based on the beverage preference of the user.
A method, apparatus, and/or system may be provided for dispensing a beverage. In an example, a beverage preparation machine may include a container compartment for receiving a beverage packet comprising beverage ingredients. An outlet may be configured to dispense a beverage flavored by the beverage packet. A communication interface may be configured to receive a wireless signal from an electronic device, the wireless signal comprising an identifier of the electronic device. A processor may be operably coupled to the communication interface. The processor may be configured to receive the identifier of the electronic device; associate the identifier of the electronic device with a user and a beverage preference of the user; and cause the beverage dispensed by the outlet to be based on the beverage preference of the user.
According to one embodiment, a beverage preparation machine (100) includes a beverage dispenser (202), a cup holding region (110) located below the beverage dispenser (202), a light source (104) configured to transmit light across a portion of the cup holding region (110), and a receiver (108) configured to receive at least a portion the light transmitted by the light source (104). A processor (240) determines whether a transparent cup (220) has been sufficiently inserted into the cup holding region (110) or is at a desired height by detecting either a trough in a light level of the portion of the light received at the receiver (108), or an inverted trough in a light level of the light transmitted by the light source (104). Upon making the determination that the transparent cup (220) is not sufficiently inserted or at the desired height, the processor (240) prevents the beverage dispenser (202) from dispensing a beverage.
According to one embodiment, a beverage preparation machine (100) includes a beverage dispenser (202), a cup holding region (110) located below the beverage dispenser (202), a light source (104) configured to transmit light across a portion of the cup holding region (110), and a receiver (108) configured to receive at least a portion the light transmitted by the light source (104). A processor (240) determines whether a transparent cup (220) has been sufficiently inserted into the cup holding region (110) or is at a desired height by detecting either a trough in a light level of the portion of the light received at the receiver (108), or an inverted trough in a light level of the light transmitted by the light source (104). Upon making the determination that the transparent cup (220) is not sufficiently inserted or at the desired height, the processor (240) prevents the beverage dispenser (202) from dispensing a beverage.
A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.
B65D 85/804 - Disposable containers or packages with contents which are infused or dissolved in situ
A47J 31/14 - Coffee- or tea-making apparatus with filters placed in or behind pouring spouts
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
B65D 75/58 - Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
A47J 31/44 - Parts or details of beverage-making apparatus
A47J 31/40 - Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
The present invention relates to beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, and methods for the preparation of beverages. In one aspect, these include beverage preparation capsules for use in beverage preparation apparatus comprising a clamp assembly suitable for preparing espresso-type beverages.
The present invention provides a beverage preparation machine comprising a housing; a reservoir for containing a liquid, wherein the reservoir is situated within the housing; a dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid; a pump situated between the reservoir and the dispensing outlet; a user input means situated on an outer surface of the housing; and a pump controller configured to operate the pump for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid, wherein the input means is capable of communicating with the pump controller in order to initiate an operation of the pump; and the pump controller is configured to operate the pump based on a characteristic of the previous operation of the pump.
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
A47J 31/52 - Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
The present invention relates to a nozzle (240). In particular, a nozzle for use as part of a beverage preparation package. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body (246) with a conduit (242), the conduit having an inlet end (254) and an outlet end (256), and a plug (248) that is connected to the nozzle body in a detachable manner. The plug and the conduit are configured such that, when the plug is detached from the nozzle body, the plug is adapted to travel along the conduit and be retained within the conduit at the outlet end such that fluid can flow through the conduit from the inlet end towards the outlet end.
B65D 47/10 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubesClosures with discharging devices other than pumps with discharge nozzles or passages having frangible closures
B65D 75/58 - Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
A beverage preparation apparatus for preparation of a beverage from a capsule in a clamp assembly (30). The clamp assembly has a first clamp member (31) and a second clamp member, where the inner surfaces of the first clamp member and the second clamp member form a clamp chamber (33) for substantially enclosing and supporting a capsule (10) during beverage preparation. The second clamp member comprises a rigid peripheral frame (32) having a central void and a resilient layer (37) extending across said central void. There is a piston (36) positioned in the central void and resiliently coupled to the peripheral frame (32) to allow limited resilient movement of the rigid peripheral frame (32) relative to the piston (36).
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
A47J 31/44 - Parts or details of beverage-making apparatus
A tree collar includes a sleeve formed into a frusto-conical shape and having an inner facing surface, an outer facing surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end and a second end. The first and second ends overlap each other to adjust a diameter of the sleeve and a length of the band at the top edge is less than a length of the band at the bottom edge. A first clasp secures a portion of the top edge of the sleeve to a different portion of the top edge of the sleeve. A second clasp secures a portion of the bottom edge of the sleeve to a different portion of the bottom edge of the sleeve.
Provided herein is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from a capsule having at least one flexible wall. Embodiments of the clamp assembly comprise two or more clamp members, at least one clamp member being movable to open and close the clamp assembly, wherein respective inner walls of the clamp members in a closed position define a chamber adapted to substantially enclose and support the capsule during beverage preparation, the chamber having an inlet region for injection of water and an outlet region for escape of a beverage. The inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving a capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule. A beverage preparation apparatus, and a method of making a beverage using one or more of the clamp assemblies, are also provided.
A47J 31/06 - Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers
A47J 31/24 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure
B65D 81/34 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs intended to be cooked or heated within the package
B65D 85/804 - Disposable containers or packages with contents which are infused or dissolved in situ
patents
