WO2017214062A1

WO2017214062A1 - Beverage maker

Info

Publication number: WO2017214062A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/036006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce D. Burrows
Original assignee: Remington Designs, Llc
Priority date: 2016-06-06
Filing date: 2017-06-05
Publication date: 2017-12-14

Abstract

The brewing system disclosed herein includes pre-heating a beverage medium in a beverage cartridge. The pre-heating may be performed using air, liquid, and/or vapor and may be performed using heated conduits and/or devices within the brewing system. The system also has a brew head which comprises a lid that is movable between an open and closed position. One or more sensors may be used to sense the position of the lid. Information from said sensors may be used by a processor to control various processes and functions of the brewer.

Description

BEVERAGE MAKER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/346,463 to Burrows, filed on June 6, 2016 and entitled "Beverage Making Machines and Methods"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/351,901 to Burrows, filed on June 17, 2016 and entitled "Beverage Making Machines and Methods"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/352,365 to Burrows, filed on June 20, 2016 and entitled "Beverage Maker"; each of these applications is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0002] The following applications contain subject matter which can be incorporated into embodiments of the present disclosure: U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/977,069, filed on 8 April 2014 and entitled "Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same"; U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/060,282, filed on 6 October 2014 and entitled "Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same"; U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/069,772, filed on 28 October 2014 and entitled "Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same"; U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/136,258, filed on 20 March 2015 and entitled "Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same"; and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/230,508, filed on 5 June 2015, entitled "Beverage Brewing Systems and Methods for Using the Same," and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/174,443, filed on 11 June 2015, entitled "Beverage Brewing Systems and Methods for Using the Same."

[0003] The following applications also contain subject matter which can be incorporated into embodiments of the present disclosure: PCT/US15/15971 filed 13 February 2015;

PCT/US 15/25013 filed 8 April 2015; PCT/US 15/45146 filed on 13 August 2015;

PCT/US 15/54312 filed on 6 October 2015; PCT/US16/16884 filed on 5 February 2016; PCT/US 16/44576 filed on 28 July 2016; and PCT/US 16/47356 filed on 17 August 2016; and U.S. Pat. App. No. 15/076,144 filed on 21 March 2016.

[0004] The disclosures, figures, and subject matter of each of the above- identified patent applications is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatuses and methods for liquid or fluid infusion. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to apparatuses

configured to extract soluble portions of slurries through infusion, and methods related thereto.

Background

[0006] Infusion of leaves, herbs, and other slurries (e.g., solid, semi-solid, and/or liquid substances) for medicinal purposes has been part of human cultures for centuries. The process of infusion, e.g., adding a slurry to a liquid (i.e., a solvent), or a solvent to a slurry, under certain temperature and/or pressure conditions may extract one or more solutes (i.e., soluble portions of the slurry), has also entered other fields of endeavor.

[0007] Solutes of many slurries have been extracted for flavor as well as other properties.

Leaves from certain laurel trees, such as the California Laurel or Indian Laurel (sometimes known as "bay leaves"), may be steeped in sauces or stews to add fragrance and/or a subtle flavor similar to cinnamon. Infusion of other laurel leaves, such as the Mountain Laurel, could produce solutes that are poisonous to humans. Although non- toxic bay leaves are often left in the sauce or finished dish, mastication of even non-toxic bay leaves may produce a bitter taste, and the texture of the bay leaf may cause irritations to the digestion tract. Such taste, texture, toxicity, and/or other characteristics of the slurry and/or solutes may be undesirable in the solution.

[0008] To avoid some unwanted by-products in the desired solution, some slurries may be substantially separated or removed from and/or by the infusion process after a desired quantity of and/or desired solute (extracted material) has been infused with the solvent (fluid). Examples of slurry separation after infusion are the removal of the slurries of coffee grounds or tea leaves from solution after the desired solute infusion has occurred. This separation may vary based on the desired end product, e.g., weak or strong tea, bitter or smooth coffee, etc. The slurries and/or other undesired material may be removed from the infusion by one or more devices and/or methods, e.g., filtration, containment of the solid, decanting, etc.

[0009] In some apparatuses, such as coffee makers or brewers, single and/or multi-serving packages of slurry material, also referred to as a beverage medium, (e.g., ground coffee), may be provided in a container or cartridge for easy infusion to form a consumable beverage solution. In coffee brewers of this type, water (e.g., the solvent) may be heated by the apparatus to a desired temperature and introduced into the cartridge. The solvent, and perhaps other fluids, infuse with the slurry (e.g., coffee grounds) in the cartridge, and the solute and solvent mixture (e.g., the beverage formed) is removed at a desired time from the infusion for consumption. The slurry (coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc.) may remain in the container or cartridge to reduce introduction of unwanted flavors, textures, additional solute extraction, or other deleterious properties of the slurry into the solution (solvent-solute mixture).

[0010] These apparatuses may use a stationary inlet port that pierces the cartridge and injects a relatively constant stream of solvent (e.g., water) toward the slurry (e.g., coffee grounds) into the cartridge. This solvent stream may channel or tunnel through the slurry and not fully extract solute from some portions of the slurry, while over-extracting solute from other portions of the slurry, resulting in a solvent-solute solution comprising undesirable solute properties, e.g., bitter taste, undesirable after-taste, etc. To remedy the presence of undesirable solutes and/or other slurry properties in solution, other solutes may be added to mask the undesirable solutes and/or other properties that have been infused into the solution. Examples of added solutes are sugar, cream, etc., which may be used to mask the bitter and/or other undesirable solutes in the solvent-solute solution produced by apparatuses using stationary solvent inlet ports.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0011] The present disclosure describes beverage and/or brewing systems, and specifically systems for rotating, spinning or vertically oscillating an inlet nozzle within the interior of a beverage cartridge (e.g., a single-serve cartridge), wherein the moving inlet nozzle delivers a stream or spray of fluid, e.g., water, that wets and fiuidizes at least a portion of the beverage medium therein to create a brewed beverage (e.g., a cup of coffee).

[0012] The above summary has outlined, rather broadly, some features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, briefly described below:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage brewer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage brewer, illustrating a lid of a brewer head in an open position in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the brewer head taken about circle 6 in FIG. 2, further illustrating rotation or spinning motion of an inlet nozzle;

[0017] FIGS. 4 A - 4C illustrate a beverage cartridge that may be employed with the beverage brewer in an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brewer head taken about the line 7-7 in FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view of the brewer head, illustrating a motor for rotating the inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 9 is across-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0023] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a brewer head in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a beverage brewer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 19 illustrates a flow diagram showing possible steps used in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 20 illustrates an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0034] FIG. 21 illustrates a first position of the lid in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 22 illustrates an intermediate position of the lid in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 23 illustrates a second position of the lid in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 24 illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0038] FIG. 25 illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0039] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts. As described herein, the use of the term "and/or" is intended to represent an "inclusive OR", and the use of the term "or" is intended to represent an "exclusive OR".

Overview of Single-Serve Beverage System

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage brewer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0041] A beverage brewer 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be designed for use with

container-based beverage cartridges, such as single-serve coffee cartridges. The beverage brewer 10 may include a generally upright housing 12 having a base or platen 14 extending out at the bottom and positioned generally below an outwardly extending brewer head (also referred to as a "beverage head" herein) 16.

[0042] The vertical distance between the platen 14 and the brewer head 16 (also referred to as a "brew head 16" or a "beverage head 16" herein) can adequately accommodate a coffee mug or other external receptacle for delivery of the beverage from the beverage brewer 10. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the receptacle may be capable of retaining at least 6 oz. of beverage, and possibly 10 oz. or more of beverage. The housing 12 may further comprise a rear housing 18 having a gravity-fed and/or other type of water reservoir 20 on one side and an outer shell 22 that houses or protects the internal features of the beverage brewer 10, including, for example, the conduit system between the water reservoir 20 and the brewer head 16. Such features within the housing 12 of the beverage brewer 10 may generally include a fluid conduit system, a pump, and/or a heating element, in order to deliver a fluid from the reservoir 20 (or other source) to the brewer head 16 and/or to the receptacle external to the beverage brewer 10.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beverage brewer, illustrating a lid of a brewer head in an open position (also referred to as a first position, second position, and/or access position herein) in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the brewer head 16 may be a clam-shell structure including a stationary lower support member 24 and a movable upper member or lid 26 that pivots relative to the lower support member 24 about a hinge 28. The scope of the present disclosure includes embodiments where the lower support member 24 and the lid 26 may both be movable, or that the lower support member 24 may be movable relative to a stationary lid 26. Additionally, the lower support member 24 and/or the lid 26 may pivot or rotate about the common hinge 28, or separate hinges or points within the beverage brewer 10.

[0044] The lower support member 24 and the lid 26 are selectively opened and closed and form a brew chamber therebetween during a brew cycle (also known as a preparation cycle) for selective retention of a beverage cartridge 32 in a receptacle 30 of the brewer head 16. The beverage cartridge 32 may include any liquid medium known in the art, including, but not limited to, liquid and/or beverage medium used to form various types of coffee, espresso, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade and other fruit-based drinks, carbonated drinks such as soda, soups and other liquid foods, etc.

[0045] In this respect, FIG. 1 illustrates the lid 26 engaged with the lower support member 24 such that the brewer head 16 is in the closed or locked position. A jaw lock 176 includes an externally accessible release button 172 which may be at or near the brewer head 16 and configured for hand manipulation. To open the brewer head 16, a user presses or otherwise activates the release button 172. Activation of the release button 172 selectively disengages the jaw lock 176 when the brewer head 16 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Once the release button 172 is pressed, so long as the brewer head 16 is not in a preparation cycle or other operational mode that prevents opening of the brewer head 16, the lid 26 is able to pivot away from the lower support member 24 which allows access to the receptacle 30. In the position shown in FIG. 2, a user may selectively insert or remove a beverage cartridge 32.

[0046] To close the brewer head 16, the user may again activate the release button 172, and/or may push on the lid 26 to move the lid 26 closer to the lower support member 24. If the beverage brewer 10 senses a beverage cartridge 32 in the receptacle 30, or upon a user initiating closure of the lid 26 and/or a preparation cycle, the jaw lock 176 may selectively lock during a brew cycle and/or preparation cycle to prevent any liquid delivered by the beverage brewer 10 from being expelled by the beverage brewer 10 external to the receptacle located proximate to the platen 14. In this respect, the contact between the lower support member 24 and the jaw lock 176 selectively holds the brewer head 16 closed as shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] The beverage brewer 10 also comprises an inlet nozzle 44 that generally extends downwardly out from underneath the lid 26, as shown within the brewer head 16. The inlet nozzle 44 is coupled to, e.g., in fluid communication with, a conduit system, e.g., the pump 134, for injecting at least a first fluid, such as turbulent or laminar hot water and steam, a liquid such as water and/or milk, or other gas and/or other liquid in a fluid or semi-fluid form, into the beverage cartridge 32 through the inlet nozzle 44. Although described as the inlet nozzle 44 herein, the inlet nozzle 44 may be a needle, spine, spout, spigot, jet, projection, spike, and/or other inlet means for delivering the at least first fluid to a beverage medium 78.

Preparation Cvcle for Making Beverages

[0048] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the brewer head taken about circle 6 in FIG. 2, further illustrating rotation or spinning motion of an inlet nozzle in an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0049] As mentioned above, to prepare the beverage brewer 10 for a brew cycle (also referred to a preparation cycle), the lid 26 is moved from a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) to an open position (shown in FIG. 2). When in an open or first position, the beverage cartridge 32 can be inserted into and/or removed from the receptacle 30. The receptacle 30 is configured to selectively receive and accept the beverage cartridge 32 within the receptacle 30 of the brewer head 16 when the brewer head 16 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2. The beverage cartridge 32 generally comprises a sealed container including an outer surface and an inner volume or chamber, although the beverage cartridge 32 can also include unsealed containers. A beverage medium 78, such as coffee, tea, soup, chocolate, etc., is contained within the inner volume of the beverage cartridge 32.

[0050] The lid 24 of the beverage brewer 10 may comprise an encapsulation cap 46 having a diameter sized for at least partial slide-fit insertion over the receptacle 30 to encapsulate and retain the beverage cartridge 32 therebetween. The beverage cartridge 32 may thus be held in a substantially stationary position with respect to the beverage brewer 10 device while the brewer head 16 is in the closed position, although it is understood that the beverage cartridge 32 can be held in a substantially stationary position via other means, and/or can be non-stationary.

[0051] FIGS. 4A - 4C illustrate a beverage cartridge that may be employed with the beverage brewer in an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0052] It is understood that a beverage cartridge, such as the beverage cartridge 32, is not required for operation of systems and methods according to the present disclosure. A beverage cartridge 32 may be employed within an aspect of the present disclosure. Further, other types of containers or uncontained mediums can also be used in embodiments of the present disclosure, such as soft pods, sealed or unsealed packets containing a liquid medium (e.g., coffee grounds), tea bags, grounds or leaves, etc. Beverage cartridge 32 may allow for easier brewing or making of beverages. Beverage cartridge 32 may comprise an outer surface 48 and an inner chamber 50. Beverage medium 78 may be contained or otherwise located within the inner chamber 50 (also referred to as an inner volume herein) of the beverage cartridge 32. Other features, such as a filter, etc., may also be included in the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32, to filter coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc., that may be part of the beverage medium 78 not desired in a final beverage or liquid.

[0053] FIG. 4A illustrates an open or exposed inner chamber 50. As shown in FIG. 4B, beverage cartridge 32 may also comprise a cover 49. Cover 49 may comprise foil or other material to seal the beverage cartridge 32 from external environments that may be deleterious to the beverage medium 78 in the inner chamber 50. As such, beverage cartridge 32 may be sealed against air, water, or other external hazards until one or more entry points are made to access the inner chamber 50. Beverage cartridges 32, such as those that comprise a cover 49 and/or comprise one or more sealed inner chambers 50, may use a needle or other instrument, such as inlet nozzle 44, to direct a fluid into and/or out of the inner chamber(s) 50 of the beverage cartridge 32. Beverage cartridge 32 also comprises a height 51, also referred to as a vertical height herein. It is understood that while the beverage cartridge 32 is a sealed container, many different types of cartridges and/or mediums can be used.

[0054] FIG. 4C illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure where the beverage cartridge 32 is accessed by the inlet nozzle 44 and/or the outlet conduit 400. The outlet conduit 400 is coupled to the brewer head 16, and is selectively coupled to the beverage cartridge 32 when the brewer head 16 is in a certain position. The outlet conduit 400 can comprise a point 402 that, when the lid 26 is pushed downward toward the lower support member 24 or the lid 26 is otherwise closed as shown by arrow 404, the beverage cartridge 32 is pressed onto the point 402, and the outlet conduit 400 now has access to the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32. Alternatively, the beverage cartridge 32 may be pressed onto the point 402 upon user placement of the beverage cartridge 32 into the brewer head receptacle 30. Many different embodiments are possible as would be understood by one of skill in the art, and it is also contemplated that an outlet conduit according to the present disclosure can access a medium, such as a medium within a beverage cartridge, with or without a point 402.

[0055] The lid 26 can be pushed downward toward the lower support member 24 such that the inlet nozzle 44 is placed proximate the beverage medium 78, and in some embodiments, at least below a level of the height 51 of the beverage cartridge 32. In one such system and method according to the disclosure, the lid 26 is pushed downward toward the lower support member 24 and/or is closed, e.g., such that the lid 26 is locked and/or otherwise sealed against the lower support member 24 as shown in FIG. 1. In embodiments where the beverage medium 78 is contained in a soft pod, bag, filter, or other device where beverage cartridge 32 is not used, the inlet nozzle 44 may be placed proximate to the beverage medium 78 to direct the fluid from the flow port 74 toward the beverage medium 78. In embodiments where the beverage cartridge 32 comprises a cover 49, the inlet nozzle 44 may pierce the beverage cartridge 32, either through the cover 49 or through another portion of the outer surface 48, which provides the flow port 74 with access to the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32. Where the beverage cartridge 32 is open, e.g., does not comprise cover 49 or the beverage medium is otherwise accessible to the inlet nozzle 44 without breaking or puncturing beverage cartridge 32, the inlet nozzle 44 may be placed proximate to the beverage medium 78 in the beverage cartridge 32. The proximate placement of inlet nozzle 44 to the beverage medium 78 includes the inlet nozzle 44 being partially or fully immersed in the beverage medium 78 as well as being maintained at a level above and/or near a top of the beverage medium 78, whether or not the beverage medium 78 is contained in a beverage cartridge 32. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the inlet nozzle 44 pierces the beverage cartridge 32 approximately on a center line 406 of the beverage cartridge 32, e.g., through the cover 49, although it is understood that, in other embodiments, an inlet nozzle 44 may puncture the beverage cartridge 32 in off-center locations or other locations of the outer surface 48 of the beverage cartridge 32. At a desired time, the inlet nozzle 44 may be rotated as shown by arrow 408 while coupled to the inner chamber 50. In such situations, the beverage cartridge may be substantially stationary with respect to the beverage brewer 10, as motion of both the inlet nozzle 44 and the beverage cartridge 32 may result in fluid from the beverage cartridge 32 being directed somewhere other than the outlet conduit 400. However, in other embodiments, it may be desirable to move both the inlet nozzle 44 and the beverage cartridge 32, e.g., simultaneously. For many applications, delivery of fluid from the beverage cartridge somewhere other than outlet conduit 400 is undesired.

Operation of the Beverage Brewer

[0056] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brewer head taken about the line 7-7 in FIG. 2 in an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates at least some of the internal fluid, e.g., water, steam, etc., flow paths in the beverage brewer 10 that pass through the brewer head 16, the inlet nozzle 44, and a plurality of flow ports 74, and into the inner chamber 50 of a container-based beverage cartridge 32. As described with respect to FIG. 4C, When the lid 26 is pivoted to the closed position shown in FIG. 1, the inlet nozzle 44 is correspondingly moved into a position to puncture or otherwise pass through an outer surface 48 of the beverage cartridge 32 and extend down into an inner beverage medium-filled chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32.

[0058] When the brewer head 16 is in the closed position, the inlet nozzle 44 may be rotated by a motor 52 or other means coupled to the inlet nozzle 44 for at least a portion of the time while fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container or for at least a portion of the time that the beverage brewer 10 is in the closed position. The same or different motor or means may also selectively vertically move or position the inlet nozzle 44 with respect to the beverage cartridge 32 and/or the beverage medium 78.

[0059] The inlet nozzle 44 in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure may comprise a blunt or rounded nose 54 that force pierces the surface 48 to permit entry of the inlet nozzle 44 into the interior of the beverage cartridge 32. The nose of the inlet nozzle 44 may be sharpened, e.g., with jagged edges, having a point on the inlet nozzle 44, etc., to make the piercing of the outer surface 48 easier, but such a sharp or jagged edge may be less desirable since such an embodiment carries an inherently higher risk of user injury when the inlet nozzle 44 is exposed to the user as shown in FIG. 2.

[0060] The brewer head 16 may further include a gasket 56 having a concentric aperture with an inner diameter sized to snugly slide-fit around the exterior surface diameter of the inlet nozzle 44. The gasket 56 may be made from any sealing material, e.g., rubber, silicone, other food-safe materials, etc. In an aspect of the present disclosure, FIG. 5 shows the gasket 56 with a generally larger mushroom-shaped head 58 forming a ledge or step 60 that has a relatively smaller diameter neck 62 including an outer diameter sized for snug slide-fit reception into a corresponding aperture 64 in the brewer head 16 permitting extension of the inlet nozzle 44 into the beverage cartridge 32. In this respect, the gasket 56 pressure seals the inlet nozzle 44 relative to the interior of the brewer head 16 and related hot water conduit system. Other shaped gaskets are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] A fluid conduit 66 (also referred to as a hot water conduit 66 herein) terminates at an upper end 68 of the inlet nozzle 44 and is generally aligned with an inlet channel 70 bored into the exterior diameter of the inlet nozzle 44. The inlet channel is coupled to, e.g., in fluid

communication with, a central shaft 72 that channels fluid water from the upper end 68 toward the nose 54 and out through one or more flow ports 74. O-rings 76, 76' may be positioned on each side of the inlet channel 70 to assist in minimizing leakage from pressurized fluid leaving the fluid conduit 66 for flow into the inlet channel 70.

[0062] The inlet channel 70 may be a reduced diameter bore that remains coupled with the fluid conduit 66 during the preparation cycle, and may remain coupled to the fluid conduit 66 while the inlet nozzle 44 spins or rotates within the beverage cartridge 32. As such, any fluid delivered to the beverage cartridge 32 through the inlet nozzle 44 while the inlet nozzle 44 is spinning or rotating may cause the beverage medium 78 to move as described herein. Accordingly, in this arrangement, a motor 52 couples to the upper end 68 and rotates or spins the inlet nozzle 44 during a brew cycle to rotate or spin the one or more flow ports 74 within the beverage cartridge 32 to more thoroughly mix the fluid delivered through inlet nozzle 44 with the beverage medium 78. A secondary fluid, comprising a mixture of the fluid delivered through the inlet nozzle 44 and a portion of the beverage medium 78, is thus created during the preparation cycle. The secondary fluid may be, for example, coffee, tea, etc., where the secondary fluid does not include, or includes only limited, solids from the beverage medium 78 (e.g., coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc.). In other words, some of the beverage medium 78 may remain in the beverage cartridge 32 after mixture with the fluid delivered through the inlet nozzle 44, whether or not the inlet nozzle 44 is rotated or otherwise moved while coupled to the inner chamber of the beverage cartridge 32. This secondary fluid may be referred to as a "fluidized mixture" herein.

[0063] The embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 5 illustrates four flow ports 74, but the inlet nozzle 44 may have as few as one flow port 74 or more than four flow ports 74 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The ports 74 may be structured or otherwise designed to inject fluid (e.g., hot water) into the beverage cartridge 32 in a variety of different ways, including an upward stream or spray and/or a downward stream or spray. Rotational movement of the inlet nozzle 44 and the injection stream or spray of hot water from the nozzle 44 may create a fluidized mixture of hot water and coffee within the interior of the beverage cartridge 32. As such, an aspect of the beverage brewer of the present disclosure described herein helps minimize channeling and/or overexposure of beverage medium (e.g., coffee grounds) during the preparation cycle. At least with respect to coffee, this may substantially reduce unwanted flavors and/or tastes, such as the bitter taste often associated with single-serve coffee brewers. Further, rotation of the inlet nozzle 44 within the beverage medium 78 in an aspect of the present disclosure may also produce a noticeable layer of coffee crema after the brewed coffee dispenses from the brewer head 16 into the receptacle (e.g., mug, cup, etc.) proximate the platen 14.

Nozzle Rotation

[0064] FIG. 6 is a top view of the brewer head, illustrating a motor for rotating the inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0065] From the perspective of FIG. 6, the top view of the brewer head 16 illustrates a top mounted motor 52 that may be used to rotate the inlet nozzle 44 (which is located opposite the view shown in FIG. 6) 360 degrees at a constant speed (typically measured in revolutions per minute, or RPMs) or at variable speeds (e.g., higher RPMs when the brew cycle first initiates and relatively slower RPMs closer to the end of the brew cycle, or vice versa). Alternatively, the motor 52 may only partially rotate or pivot the inlet nozzle 44 (e.g., 300 degrees), then stop and reverse rotation (e.g., an opposite 300 degrees). This same or similar partial rotational feature may also be accomplished through use of a solenoid (not shown), as opposed to the motor 52.

[0066] The motor 52 is shown next to the entry point of the hot water conduit 66. In this embodiment, hot water flow to the brewer head 16 may be regulated by a solenoid 83. FIG. 6 also illustrates the extension spring 45 coupled within the interior of the lid 26, which urges the lid 26 to pivot from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2 when the jaw clip 36 is released.

[0067] For example, and not by way of limitation, the inlet nozzle 44 may rotate at variable speeds within a brew cycle, or may rotate at a constant speed for part of a brew cycle and for another portion of the brew cycle the inlet nozzle 44 may rotate at variable speeds or in a different direction. As discussed herein, the present disclosure also envisions that the inlet nozzle 44 may do more than rotate about its own central axis; the inlet nozzle 44 may oscillate, nutate, rotate about a non-central axis such as an axis remote from the inlet nozzle 44 itself, or otherwise move within the brewer head 16 (including combinations of the movements mentioned above), whether or not the inlet nozzle 44 is inserted into the beverage cartridge 32, at least in part to agitate, move, or otherwise assist in the infusion of the fluids from the inlet nozzle 44 with the beverage medium 78. The inlet nozzle 44 may be moved, rotated, nutated, oscillated, vibrated, or subjected to any combination of various motions based on the brew cycle duration, type of beverage cartridge 32, water temperature, or other factors as desired to create a desired mixture of the beverage medium 78 with one or more fluids delivered through the inlet nozzle 44.

[0068] Further, a "rotation" may only be a partial rotation, rotation or motion in a different direction, or movement about one or more different axes of the inlet nozzle 44 or about an axis of another device (e.g., the motor 52) of the beverage system 10. The present disclosure also envisions various methods for moving the inlet nozzle 44. As described with respect to FIG. 8, the inlet nozzle 44 may be attached to a motor 52, and thus the inlet nozzle 44 is rotated as the motor 52 is energized. However, the inlet nozzle 44 may be stationary and attached to another device that is part of the beverage system that moves. In this particular embodiment, the inlet nozzle 44 may move with respect to the beverage medium 78, the inner chamber 50, and/or the beverage cartridge 32. In one such embodiment, the beverage cartridge 32 is substantially stationary relative to the beverage brewer 10.

Inlet Nozzle Configurations [0069] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 7 illustrates a pressurized fluid flow 84, e.g., hot water, steam, or other fluids as provided by a pump or other pressure source internal or external to beverage brewer 10, flowing through the interior of the inlet nozzle 44 toward the nose 54. In this embodiment, the

pressurized hot water flow 84 contacts an angled or concave interior portion of the nose 54 as shown and is ejected out therefrom as the stream or spray 80 through one or more of the flow ports 74'. In this respect, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the interior of the nose 54 can be shaped as desired to obtain the desired direction and intensity of directional outflow or spray 80. The inlet nozzle 44 may rotate about its axis, or otherwise move, such that the stream or spray 80 fiuidizes and rotates the beverage medium 78 (e.g., ground coffee) in the beverage cartridge 32.

[0071] FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment wherein the shaft of the inlet nozzle 44 is stationary and includes a spinning or rotating platform 86 designed to disperse the incoming flow 84 into the aforementioned stream or spray 80. In this embodiment, the platform 86 may include a shaft 88 coupled to the motor 52 and driven at a constant or variable rate (RPM) to attain substantial rotational fiuidized mixture of the hot water and beverage medium 78 in the beverage cartridge 32. The platform may be coupled to the nose 54 if desired. The platform 86 may also have serrations or other surface features to disperse the incoming flow 84 as desired.

[0073] FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, a modified platform 86' may include one or more straight or angled fans or blades 90 attached or otherwise extending therefrom and configured to be hydraulically driven by the pressurized fluid flow 84 travelling through the interior of the inlet nozzle 44. In this embodiment, the fluid flow 84 contacts the blades 90 and causes the modified platform 86' to spin or rotate about its shaft 88' in a comparable manner as if driven by the motor 52 in response to the fluid flow 84 contacting the blades 90. This embodiment may be employed as a mechanism for saving energy and/or cost related to the installation, use and power requirements of the motor 52.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0076] FIG. 10 illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure wherein four flow ports 74 are positioned generally horizontal and perpendicular to the vertical length of the inlet nozzle 44 and generally opposite one another. The embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 10 provides for a stream or spray 80 exiting the inlet nozzle 44 that is generally tangential to the inlet nozzle 44. More than or less than four flow ports 74 can be used.

[0077] FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0078] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein four flow ports 74' " channel the fluid flow 84 out from the inlet nozzle 44 at an acute angle. The discharge angle from the inlet nozzle may vary between the generally tangential flow (e.g., 90 degree turn) shown in FIG. 9 and near parallel flow (e.g., on the order of 5 or 10 degrees) as shown in FIG. 1 1 (not to scale). The discharge angle of the flow ports could, of course, be the reverse of the acute angles shown in FIG. 11, or at any desired angle with respect to the inlet nozzle 44. As shown in FIG. 11, the inlet nozzle 44 produces a downwardly projecting stream or spray of incoming fluid flow 84 into the beverage cartridge 32. Rotation or other movement of the inlet nozzle 44 then changes location that the discharge from the inlet nozzle 44 contacts the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32, which may aid in the fiuidization of the beverage medium 78 in the inner chamber.

[0079] FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of inlet nozzles in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein a plurality of flow ports 74" " are oriented to direct the stream or spray 80 in an upward manner at angles larger than 90 degrees relative to the incoming flow 84, and upwards of 170 or 175 degrees relative to the incoming fluid flow 84. Other angles of stream or spray 80 are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 13, the inlet nozzle 44 could include a mixture of the fiowports 74- 74"". FIG. 13 illustrates an inlet nozzle 44 comprising horizontal flow ports 74 that produce tangential outward flow of the stream or spray 80, the downwardly facing or acute flow ports 74' " that direct the stream or spray 80 in a downward or acute manner relative to the incoming fluid flow 84, and upwardly facing or obtuse flow ports 74"" that direct the stream or spray 80 in an upward or obtuse manner relative to the incoming fluid flow 84. Of course, each of the flow ports 74-74"" can be mixed and matched as desired along the length of the inlet nozzle 44 or the nose 54 to attain the desired outward flow of fluid to adequately mix and fluidize the beverage medium 78 within the beverage cartridge 32 during the preparation cycle. The pressure delivered to the flow ports 74-74" " can also be constant or variable during the course of the preparation cycle.

[0082] The beverage brewer 10 may initiate incoming fluid flow 84 through the inlet nozzle 44 prior to rotation or movement of the inlet nozzle 44 to prevent clogging any of the flow ports 74- 74"" at the start of the preparation cycle. In some embodiments, the flow ports 74-74" " maybe of a shape and size such that they may collect beverage medium 78 as the inlet nozzle 44 spins, similar to a scoop or receptacle. The collected beverage medium 78 may occlude the flow ports 74-74" ", thereby substantially occluding or otherwise preventing fluid from adequately exiting the inlet nozzle 44. Initiating fluid flow 84 may allow the pressurized fluid 84 to establish an exit stream that otherwise prevents beverage medium 78 from entering the flow ports 74-74" ", to substantially reduce or eliminate the potential for the beverage medium 78 to block any one of the flow ports 74-74" ". Similarly, the beverage brewer 10 may stop rotation of the inlet nozzle 44 before stopping the flow of fluid flow 84 water through any of the flow ports 74-74" " to flush any beverage medium 78 away from the flow ports 74-74"" at the end of the preparation cycle. In some embodiments, the delay after fluid flow exiting the inlet nozzle 44 and the before the beginning of inlet nozzle 44 movement can be a non-zero time of less than two seconds. In another embodiment, this time is 0.1 to 1.0 second, and in another embodiment this time is 0.5 second. Similarly, in some embodiments, the delay between cessation of inlet nozzle 44 movement and the cessation of fluid flow can be a non-zero time of less than two seconds; 0.1 to 1.0 second; and/or 0.5 second. Under certain circumstances, this goal can be achieved by beginning fluid flow and inlet nozzle 44 movement simultaneously. Additionally, it may be advantageous to initiate fluid flow when the flow ports 74-74"" are at a position above the beverage medium 78 (e.g., before the flow ports 74-74" " are in contact with the beverage medium 78), and then move the inlet nozzle 44 into contact with the beverage medium 78 and/or move the inlet nozzle 44 to a position proximate to the beverage medium 78 after flow has begun. [0083] FIG. 14 is an alternative cross-sectional view of the inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment wherein the flow ports are elongated and form one or more exit channels 92. The exit channels 92 may be particularly configured to attain a wider or open flow of the stream or spray 80 as shown in FIG. 14. The elongated channel 92 may track the vertical height 51 (shown in FIG. 4B) of the beverage cartridge 32 by as little as 50% of the vertical height 51 and by as much as 95% of the vertical height 51, although embodiments of less than 50% and above 95% are contemplated. The elongated channels 92 may be centered within the inner chamber 50, but the channels 92 may also be at a staggered height relative to the beverage cartridge 32 sidewalls, or staggered relative to each other if more than one channel 92 is configured in the inlet nozzle 44. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 14, the elongated channel 92 may be able to better disperse fluid flow 84, e.g., laminar or turbulent hot water, into the inner chamber 50 such as, e.g., when the inlet nozzle 44 rotates, spins, or otherwise moves within the beverage cartridge 32.

[0085] FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of the inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 15, the flow port of the inlet nozzle 44 may be in the form of a downwardly extending spiral channel 94 that generally tracks the outer periphery of the inlet nozzle 44. The number and orientation of the flow ports 74-74" ", the elongated channels 92 and the spiral channel 94 may be mixed and matched as desired in a given beverage brewer 10 to obtain the desired stream or spray 80 exiting the inlet nozzle 44. For example, and not by way of limitation, the flow ports 74-74"" or the channels 92, 94 could be staggered,

positioned opposite one another, or positioned at various angles (e.g., every 30, 60 or 90 degrees) along a given inlet nozzle 44.

[0087] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. [0088] FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the inlet nozzle 44, including at least one, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, a plurality of serrations 178 disposed or otherwise formed along the outer periphery of the inlet nozzle 44 for agitating the beverage medium 78 in the cartridge 32. The serrations 178 preferably act as paddles that stir or otherwise move the beverage medium 78 and heated water in the beverage cartridge 32 during the preparation cycle. Such agitation with the serrations 178 may enhance fiuidized mixing of the beverage medium 78 with the incoming fluid flow 84, which may provide a more homogeneous wetting and/or heating of the beverage medium 78 and more consistent flavor extraction. The serrations 178 may be any shape known in the art (e.g., rectangular, triangular, hemispherical, blade-shaped, etc.). Moreover, the serrations 178 may extend outwardly from the periphery of the inlet nozzle 44 or may be cut into the periphery thereof. The periphery of the inlet nozzle 44 may also be smooth, or may comprise some smooth portions and some serrations 178 as desired to produce a desired flow of incoming fluid flow 84 with the beverage medium 78 and/or a desired agitation or extraction of flavors from beverage medium 78.

[0089] Any combination of the flow ports, channels, and/or serrations shown in FIGS. 7 through 16 is possible with a moving inlet nozzle 44 within the scope of the present disclosure.

Additional and/or Alternate Nozzle Movement

[0090] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the brewer head in an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment where the inlet nozzle 44 vertically oscillates instead of, or in addition to, spinning and/or rotating. The beverage brewer 10 may comprise an inlet nozzle solenoid 174 that causes the inlet nozzle 44 to vertically oscillate as generally illustrated in FIG. 17. The inlet nozzle 44 slidably or otherwise couples to the lid 26 and is generally spring biased in an upper position. The solenoid 174 may extend an oscillation shaft 176 down into contact with the inlet nozzle 44, thereby forcing the inlet nozzle 44 downwardly against the return force of the spring and into an extended position. [0092] The solenoid 174 then retracts the oscillation shaft 176, and the spring-bias returns the inlet nozzle 44 to the upper position. The beverage brewer 10 may pulse the solenoid 174, thereby causing the inlet nozzle 44 to move up and down at a predetermined or desired rate. In one embodiment, the inlet nozzle 44 may move up and down at a rate of 50-70 Hertz, such as a rate of 60 Hertz, as 60 Hertz is the frequency used for power delivery in the United States, thereby simplifying the coupling of the solenoid 174 to a frequency source. The inlet nozzle 44 may vertically oscillate at any rate within the scope of the present disclosure, and the vertical oscillation rate may change during the course of a brew cycle. The beverage brewer 10 may alternately use a cam or other means to vertically oscillate the inlet nozzle 44 in accordance with the embodiments described herein. In another alternative embodiment, the inlet nozzle 44 may also simultaneously vertically oscillate and rotate, as described above, at least in part to assist in the agitation or movement of beverage medium 78. Indeed, many different combinations of inlet nozzle 44 movement as described herein are possible.

Processor Control of Beverage Brewer

[0093] FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a beverage brewer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0094] Beverage brewer 10, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 18, may be coupled to a fluid source 500. The fluid source 500 may be a reservoir that is included within and/or attached to a beverage brewer 10, but such a fluid source may also be the water supply for a home or building, a filtered water supply, a carbon dioxide (C0₂) line, or other fluid source as desired. Further, more than one fluid source 500 may be coupled to the beverage brewer 10.

[0095] A pump 502 is coupled to the fluid source 500. The pump may provide pressure to the fluid 504 within the beverage brewer 10, such that the pump 500 delivers the fluid 504, e.g., water, milk, CO2, etc., at a desired, known, and/or predetermined pressure to the remainder of the beverage brewer 10.

[0096] The pump 502 is coupled to a heater 506, and delivers fluid 504 to heater 506 for those fluids 504 that may need to be heated prior to delivery to the beverage cartridge 32. Heater 506 heats (or optionally cools) the fluid 504 as desired. Heater 506, when employed by the beverage brewer 10, delivers the heated or otherwise processed fluid 504 to the inlet nozzle 44.

[0097] When the brewer head 16 is in the proper position (i.e., the closed position shown in FIG. 1), at least a portion of the inlet nozzle 44 is coupled to the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 44. Fluid 504 that is delivered to the inlet nozzle 44 may then be delivered to the inner chamber of the beverage cartridge 32.

[0098] During at least a portion of the time that the brewer head 16 is in the closed position, motor 52 and/or other means within beverage brewer 10, may spin, rotate, nutate, vibrate, oscillate, or otherwise move inlet nozzle 44, such as the movements previously described. Fluid 504 delivered through the moving inlet nozzle 44 may then move the beverage medium 78 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 16) to assist in the fiuidizing and/or mixture of fluid 504 with beverage medium 78.

[0099] The outlet conduit 400 is also coupled to the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32 when the brewer head is in the closed position. As such, as the fluidization of fluid 504 and beverage medium 78 occurs, a secondary fluid 508 is delivered from the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32 to a receptacle 510, e.g., a coffee mug, glass, cup, or other container that may be external to the beverage medium 10. The beverage brewer 10 may also comprise receptacle 510, e.g., a carafe, etc., however, in many applications the receptacle eventually is used externally to the beverage brewer 10.

[00100] The pump 502, motor 52, heater 506, brewer head 16, and, optionally, the fluid source 500, are coupled to a processor 512. The processor 512 is further coupled, either internally or externally, to a memory 514. The processor 512 provides computer-based control of the pump 502, motor 52, and heater 506, and may control other components within beverage brewer 10.

[00101] For example, and not by way of limitation, the processor 512 may receivea signal or other input from a sensor coupled to the fluid source 500, to indicate to the beverage brewer 10 that there is not enough fluid 504 available to brew a beverage. The processor 512 may then prevent the beverage brewer 10 from initiating a preparation cycle for a beverage cartridge 32.

[00102] Further, the processor 512 may sense a particular type of beverage cartridge 32 present in the brewer head 16. Once the type of beverage cartridge 32 is known, the processor 512 may provide different inputs to the pump 502, motor 52, heater 506, or other components in the beverage brewer 10 to change one or more variables in the mixture of fluid 504 and the beverage medium in the particular beverage cartridge 32. The processor 512 may increase or decrease the speed of rotation of motor 52, may insert the inlet nozzle 44 further into the beverage container 32, provide pulsed or different types of current to the pump 502 and/or heater 506, or may change some path for the fluid 504 prior to introduction into the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32. Additionally, the processor 512 may select a particular kind of inlet nozzle 44 motion or combination of motions based on the type of beverage cartridge 32 that is sensed or a specific user input. These and/or other inputs to the processor 512 may cause the processor 512 to access memory 514 to provide such instructions to various components of the beverage brewer 10.

Process Flow

[00103] FIG. 19 is a process diagram 1900 illustrating possible steps used in an

embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00104] Block 1902 illustrates configuring a beverage head comprising a receptacle to selectively receive a sealed container when the beverage head is in a first position (e.g., open). Block 1904 illustrates configuring an inlet nozzle to pass through an outer surface of the sealed container and coupling at least a portion of the inlet nozzle to an inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in a second position (e.g., closed). Block 1906 illustrates maintaining the beverage container substantially stationary with respect to the single-serve beverage device while the beverage head is in the second position. Block 1908 illustrates delivering at least a first fluid to a beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed container through the inlet nozzle. Block 1910 illustrates selectively rotating the inlet nozzle with respect to the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container, and when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container for at least a portion of a time that the beverage head is in the second position. Block 1912 illustrates creating an at least second fluid comprising at least a portion of the at least first fluid and at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium during operation of the single-serve beverage making device.

Block 1914 illustrates coupling an outlet conduit to the inner volume of the sealed container of beverage medium. Block 1916 illustrates directing at least a portion of the second fluid through the outlet conduit to a receptacle external to the beverage head.

[00105] FIG. 20 illustrates an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[00106] In an aspect of the present disclosure, pump 502 may direct fluid 2000, which may be one or more fluids, to one or more conduits 2002-2008 at specified times. As an example, and not by way of limitation, pump 502 may deliver fluid 2000 to conduit 2002 for a first time period, then discontinue delivery of fluid 2000 to conduit 2002 and begin delivering fluid 2000 to conduit 2004 for a second time period. It is also understood that delivery of the fluid 2000 to different conduits may overlap; for example, delivery of the fluid 2000 to conduit 2002 may end after delivery of fluid to another conduit, e.g. the

conduit 2004, has begun. By alternating or staggering the flow of fluid 2000 to different conduits 2002-2008 during different time periods, fluid 2000 may be selectively delivered through channels 2010-2016 in inlet nozzle 44 to flow ports 74a-74b. Flow port 74a is shown in phantom lines to indicate that flow port 74a is on a surface not visible from the perspective of FIG. 20. Further, flow ports 74b and 74d are shown as being approximately in the plane of perspective of FIG. 20, and flow port 74c is shown as facing the perspective plane of FIG. 20. There may be fewer or additional flow ports 74a-d, and the flow ports

74a-d may be at any angle, location, or orientation with respect to each other or with respect to the inlet nozzle 44 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00107] As the fluid 2000 is selectively delivered to one or more of flow ports 74a-74b, a sequence of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be created. Although a sequence of fluid flows 2018- 2024 may be sequential, e.g., first fluid flow 2018, then fluid flow 2020, then fluid flow 2022, then fluid flow 2024 (also referred to as a "chaser" sequence), any sequence of fluid flows 2018- 2024 including but not limited to exclusive and/or overlapping fluid flows may be employed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[00108] The sequencing of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be obtained by, for example, pump

502 comprising and/or being coupled to a manifold that has a rotating or movable plenum that selectively directs the fluid 2000 to one or more of the conduits 2002-2008. Other means for obtaining selective delivery of fluid 2000 to one or more of the conduits 2002-2008 are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[00109] With or without rotating or otherwise moving the inlet nozzle 44, the fluid flows

2018-2024, through sequencing, upon introduction or proximity to beverage cartridge 32 and/or beverage medium 78 as shown by arrow 2026, may create a fluid flow, agitation, or other movement of beverage medium 78 with the fluid flows 2018-2024. Further, control of the sequencing of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be performed by processor 412, and the speed, order, and pressure of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be varied or constant during a preparation cycle, or may be combined with rotational, vibrational, and/or other motion of inlet nozzle 44 to create a preferred time, concentration, and/or other mixture or agitation of fluid 2000 with beverage medium 78. The control of the order, speed, and pressure of fluid flows 2018-2024 may also be based on other factors, such as the type of beverage medium 78, the presence or absence of a beverage cartridge 32, the presence or absence of a cover 49 on the beverage cartridge 32, manual inputs or overrides to the beverage brewer 10, or other factors.

Lid Position Indication/Determination

[00110] There are three positions for lid 26 (also referred to as the "jaw") in system 10.

Position 1 is an "open" position, such that brewer head 16 is accessible for insertion and/or removal of a beverage cartridge 48. Position 1 may be a fully opened position, or may be a position of lid 26 such that brewer head 16 is accessible. Position 2 is a "between open and closed" position, and Position 3 is a "closed" position, where the brewer head 16 is

inaccessible to the user. Position 1, where lid 26 is open, is shown in FIG. 21. Position 2 is illustrated in FIG. 22. Position 3 is shown in FIG. 23. [00111] Based on the position of lid 26, system 10 may perform specific actions and/or be prevented from performing specific actions. One or more sensors, switches, or other devices may be placed within system 10 such that the position and/or an approximate position of jaw 26 may be determined so that other actions may be allowed and/or disallowed within system 10.

Position 1 : Jaw Open

[00112] As shown in FIG. 21, lid 26 is open. Lid 26 pivots about a pivot axle or rod 548 in direction 549 such that lid 26 may move with respect to the beverage cartridge 48 and the receptacle 30. There may or may not be a beverage cartridge 48 placed in the receptacle 30. A sensor 2000 may be placed in the receptacle 30 to determine whether a beverage cartridge 48 is present. Sensor 2000 may also indicate whether a "reusable" beverage cartridge 48 is present in receptacle 30. Sensor 200 may be an optical, mechanical, or other type of sensor without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, and not by way of limitation, an aspect of the disclosure as shown in FIG. 21 illustrates a single-serve beverage cartridge 48 with a cover 49, where the cover 49 has not yet been pierced by the inlet nozzle 44 and the single-serve beverage cartridge 48 has not yet been pierced by the outlet conduit 400. A beverage cartridge 48 and cover 49 that has not been used in system 10 may be referred to as a "sealed" or "new" beverage cartridge 48 herein.

[00113] Sealed beverage cartridges 48 may be positively pressurized, withnitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other inert gases, to ensure that the beverage medium 78 is not oxidized and/or degraded by exposure to air. As such, cover 49 may a slight curvature upward because the pressure within the sealed beverage cartridge 48 is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside of the sealed beverage cartridge 48.

[00114] Lid 26 may also be in Position 1 at other times: when the receptacle 30 is empty, just after brewing and lid 26 has been opened (i.e., where a beverage cartridge 48 that has had fluid delivered to it and a beverage made from the beverage material 78 in the now "expended" beverage cartridge 48) is in the receptacle 30, and/or other times.

[00115] System 10 may determine whether lid 26 is in Position 1 by placement of one or more switches 550 and/or other sensors that detect position (e.g., optical sensors, mechanical sensors, etc.). In an aspect of the present disclosure, switch 550 may be a microswitch 550, and may be employed such that microswitch 550 opens (or closes) when lid 26 is in Position 1. The wiper of microswitch 550 may be moved or otherwise displaced by lid 26 to change the state of microswitch 550 at a desired point of travel of lid 26 when lid 26 is moved away from line 554 (e.g., where lid 26 is moved away from Position 3).

[00116] Since the microswitch 550 will either complete a circuit 556 (i.e., have minimal resistance) or break circuit 556 (i.e., have a large and/or infinite resistance) upon the wiper moving from one pole of microswitch 550 to the other, the resistance value of the circuit 556, which includes microswitch 550 and may also include resistor 552, may be employed as an indicator to system 10 of the position of lid 26.

[00117] For purposes of this example, microswitch 550 is open (i.e., has a large and/or infinite resistance) when lid 26 is in Position 1. This creates an open circuit for processor 512 to sense. If a "closed circuit" indicator is desired for Position 1, resistor 552 can be coupled to the other pole 551 of microswitch 550, or can be arranged differently within system 10, if a closed circuit indication is desired for Position 1. Because there is a difference in resistance value between an open circuit and a closed circuit (e.g., the difference between a large

(infinite) resistance and the resistance value of resistor 552), system 10, either via processor 512 or through other means, can determine that lid 26 is in Position 1.

[00118] When lid 26 is moved in direction 549 in a sufficient amount to move the wiper of microswitch 550 to the other pole, (which as shown in FIG. 21 would then close microswitch 550 and complete circuit 556), system 10 would determine that lid 26 is no longer in Position 1, as the resistance of the circuit 556 changed from a large value (open circuit) to a smaller value (either a short circuit or the value of resistor 552).

System Operations While in Position 1

[00119] Once power to system 10 is applied (and the "power" button is switched to deliver power to system 10) and system 10 determines that lid 26 is in Position 1, system 10 may begin preparing to brew a beverage. Such preparations may include heating fluid in heating tank 506 (shown in FIG. 24) to a pre-determined temperature. However, if other sensors in system 10 indicate that the fluid in heating tank 506 has already been heated, the pre -heating may not be performed. This heating of fluid in heating tank 506 may prepare system 10 for a "brew cycle." A brew cycle (or brewing cycle) is where a beverage is made through delivery of fluid from heating tank 506 to beverage material 78. System 10 may also maintain the temperature of the fluid in heating tank 506, and/or perform other functions, while lid 26 is in Position 1.

[00120] However, system 10 may not have sufficient information to determine all of the functions that system 10 may perform, or what type of beverage system 10 will be brewing, based solely on the information that lid 26 is in Position 1. For example, and not by way of limitation, system 10 may perform different functions based on the amount of fluid to be delivered to beverage cartridge 48. If only 4 ounces of fluid is to be delivered, system 10 may need to heat the fluid in heating tank 506 to a higher temperature than the pre-determined temperature before delivering the fluid to beverage cartridge 48. If 10 ounces of fluid is to be delivered, then delivering the fluid in heating tank 506 at the pre-determined temperature maybe sufficient to make the beverage desired. As such, different actions may be taken by system 10 based on subsequent inputs to system 10, and may also take different actions based on prior actions performed by system 10, when lid 26 is in Position 1. Further, such actions may be performed at different times, or not performed at all, and the performance and/or timing of such actions during a brewing cycle may be determined by the status of other sensors and/or the attainment of other positions of lid 26.

[00121] With lid 26 in Position 1, the user may access the receptacle 30 and place a beverage cartridge 48 into the receptacle 30. When lid 26 is in Position 1, system 10 is "armed" and/or in a state where system 10 is preparing to deliver fluid to beverage cartridge 48 via inlet nozzle 44. System 10 may also be "re-armed" after a brewing cycle is completed, e.g., a user must open lid to Position 1 to begin a brew cycle, which may limit the unknowing re -use of a beverage cartridge 48.

[00122] In Position 1, system 10, via processor 512 or through other means, may also verify other parameters and/or characteristics, such as sensors that indicate the amount ofwater in reservoir 20, the temperature of fluid in heater 506, etc., in preparation for the movement of lid 26 away from Position 1.

Position 2: Intermediate Position

[00123] Once lid 26 is moved from Position 1, system 10 is alerted to the movement of lid

26 by the change in state of circuit 556 (i.e., the opening and/or closing of microswitch 550). The amount of travel along direction 549 that lid 26 undergoes before the change in state of microswitch 550 may be adjusted by placement of microswitch 550, by adding a delay in system 10 a second microswitch 568 may be employed, to indicate that the lid 26 is in a specific position along direction 549 rather than merely indicating that the lid 26 is no longer in Position 1.

Depending on the granularity and/or specificity of the position of lid 26 that is desired, one or more additional microswitches 568 may be employed to determine not only the position of lid 26, but the direction of travel of lid 26. For example, and not by way of limitation, a single

microswitch 550 may indicate that the lid 26 is no longer fully open, and/or may indicate that the lid 26 is a certain distance away from an open position (Position 1) and/or closed position

(Position 3). The indication of lid 26 position, without indication of lid 26 directional movement, may provide enough information to system 10 to determine proper actions and/or functions to be performed within system 10. However, use of a single microswitch 550 in system 10 may provide enough granularity to determine actions to be performed when the lid 26 is not in Position 1 and not in Position 3. In some embodiments, proximity sensors may aslo be used to determine how far the lid has moved away from a given position, e.g., Position 1.

[00124] Second microswitch 568 (or the change in state of microswitch 550) maybe used to indicate the position of lid 26 is at Position 2. Position 2 may be defined as "not in Positions 1 or 3" and also may be defined as a certain distance from Position 1 and/or certain distance from Position 3. System 10 may use the current and/or prior readings of microswitch 550 to determine the direction of travel of lid 26, or may determine the state of microswitches 550 and 568 to determine the direction of travel of lid 26.

[00125] Position 2 may be assigned to be a location along direction 549 where inlet nozzle 44 just touches or is about to touch cover 49, but may be in other positions between Position 1 and Position 3 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As with microswitch 550, a timer may be employed to allow system 10 to wait a desired amount of time to perform functions once microswitch 568 changes state.

System Operations while in Position 2

[00126] Since system 10 (e.g., via processor 512) may determine the direction oftravel of lid 26, system 10 can perform different functions based on the direction of travel of lid 26.

When lid 26 is in Position 2, having just moved from Position 1, system 10 may provide air flow from an air pump to provide a positive pressure of air 572 in inlet nozzle 44. Such air flow will be described with respect to FIG. 24.

[00127] As shown in FIG. 22, Position 2 may be defined as a point along direction 549, away from Position 1, where the cover 49 is not yet pierced (or just about to be pierced) by the inlet nozzle 44, and the beverage cartridge 48 is not yet pierced by the outlet conduit 400. As such, the pressure inside of beverage cartridge 48 is higher than atmospheric pressure, and may be higher than the pressure inside of the hollow portion of inlet nozzle 44. Further, residual moisture may be present on inlet nozzle from a previous use of system 10. When lid 26 is closed (moved from Position 1 to Position 3, passing through Position 2), inlet nozzle 44 is forced into the beverage medium 78 when the beverage medium 78 is dry and the beverage cartridge 48 is pressurized.

[00128] This difference in pressure between the hollow portion of the inlet nozzle 44 and the positive pressure of the beverage cartridge 48, and the insertion of inlet needle into beverage medium 78, may moves particles of beverage medium 78 into the flow port 74 of inlet nozzle 44 and the hollow portion of inlet nozzle 44 as the particles move from a higher pressure zone to a lower pressure zone. When inlet nozzle 44 is wet, the dry particles of beverage medium 78 may become stuck on inlet nozzle 44 and/or in flow port 74, and not allow fluid to flow through inlet nozzle 44.

[00129] In an aspect of the present disclosure, once lid 26 attains Position 2 (having moved from Position 1, such that inlet nozzle is about to pierce cover 49), an air pump may be energized to pump air through the flow ports 74 of inlet nozzle 44. The air flowing through inlet nozzle 44 may be at a greater pressure than the pressure in the beverage cartridge 48. As such, particles of beverage medium 78 are less likely to become lodged in the inlet nozzle 44 while the positive pressure exists in the beverage cartridge 48, because the higher pressure inside of inlet nozzle 44 will reduce the possibility of the beverage medium 78 being drawn into the inlet nozzle 44.

Further, by providing the air flow through inlet nozzle 44, the beverage medium 78 will be dispersed from the volume within beverage cartridge 48 that inlet nozzle 44 will be occupying, which may further assist in the preparation of the beverage medium 78 for subsequent portions of the brewing cycle.

Position 3: Jaw Closed

[00130] Another microswitch 560 may be used to indicate that lid 26 is in a closed and/or almost closed position. Microswitch 560 may be coupled to resistor 562 in a circuit 564, which can also be sensed by processor 512 to determine whether lid is in Position 3. A post 568 may be used to push on wiper 566 to move wiper 566 from one pole to the other within microswitch 560. Further, system 10 may sense that microswitch 550 (Position 1), and optional microswitch 568 (Position 2), are also in states that indicate lid 26 is not in Position 1 and has traveled through Position 2 toward Position 3. Position 3 may not be a fully closed position, but may be defined as a position along direction 549 away from Positions 1 and 2 where cover 49 has been pierced by both inlet nozzle 44 and beverage cartridge 48 has been pierced by outlet conduit 400. Position 3 of lid 26 also indicates that the positive pressure in beverage cartridge 48 has been released.

System Operations While in Position 3

[00131] Either upon attainment and/or determination of the lid 26 being in Position 3, or after some delay time upon attainment and/or determination of the lid 26 being in Position 3, system 10 may perform various functions to ensure that inlet nozzle 44 is cleared. Further, system 10 may also allow certain functions to occur only when lid 26 is positively determined to be in Position 3, e.g., that a brew cycle may be undertaken by system 10. [00132] Once lid 26 is in Position 3, system 10 may cease and/or reduce the air flow through inlet nozzle 44, (further described with respect to FIG. 24) as the pressure differential between beverage cartridge 48 and inlet nozzle 44 is reduced. The pressure in beverage cartridge 48 has been released through the outlet conduit 400.

[00133] Further, system 10 may now accept inputs for the amount of fluid to be delivered to beverage cartridge 48. If a user changes the amount of fluid from 10 ounces to 4 ounces, and then presses the "brew" button, system 10 accepts this change in input and may perform different functions based on this input. A function performed by system 10 that may be independent of inputs is a pre-heating, either via air pre -heating and/or vapor pre -heating, of beverage material 78. Devices and components used individually or in combination to pre-heat the beverage material may be referred to generally as pre -heaters.

Brewing Cvcle

[00134] FIG. 24 illustrates an air and fluid pumping system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[00135] As discussed with respect to FIGS. 21-23, the brewing cycle for system 10 may be based on both user inputs and inputs that are determined by system 10. For example, a user may change the amount of fluid to be delivered to beverage cartridge 48, and system 10 may determine the temperature of the selected amount of fluid to be delivered and may also dynamically determine how much fluid has been delivered and how much additional fluid to be delivered based on fluid volume measurements made during a brewing cycle. Some portions of the cycle may also be performed regardless of user inputs, e.g., purging system 10 of remaining water in the conduits between heater tank 506 and beverage cartridge 48, etc.

[00136] As described above, system 10 may energize air pump 580 when lid 26 reaches

Position 2 having just moved from Position 1. The amount of time that air pump 580 is energized may be determined by a fixed time, attainment of Position 3, a time after Position 3 is attained, or other means. [00137] Upon system 10 receiving a "brew" command (i.e., the user presses the brew button), system 10 verifies the amount of fluid that the user has selected, as well as locking the lid 26 to keep brewing head 16 inaccessible to the user during brewing.

[00138] Because system 10 has been maintaining and/or heating the fluid in heating tank

506 since the lid 26 was in Position 1, the air near heating tank 506 is receiving the radiated heat from the heating elements used to heat the fluid, as well as receiving radiated heat from heating tank 506. As such, the air near heating tank 506 is warmer than the ambient air (i.e., the air outside of system 10). The air near heating tank 506 may be used as an input to air pump 580 to provide pre -heated air to inlet nozzle 44 through line 582, and/or may be delivered to outlet conduit 400 via line 584 and diverter 586.

[00139] Lines 584 and/or 586 may be coupled to a heat exchanger 588 that further heats the air being delivered to inlet nozzle 44 and/or outlet conduit 400. As such, the heated air in lines 582 and 584 may be delivered to beverage cartridge 48, and beverage medium 78, to raise the temperature of beverage medium 78. An in-line resistance heater 590 may also be employed to heat air and/or fluid being delivered to inlet nozzle 44, in addition to, in conjunction with, and/or as a replacement for the heat exchanger 588.

[00140] Air pump 580 may also provide air to lines 582 and/or 584 without passing air through heat exchanger 588, by providing air to lines 582 and/or 584 through bypass 592 and solenoid 594. For example, and not by way of limitation, system 10 may provide air to lines 582 and/or 584 via bypass 592 by placing solenoid 594 in a first position, such that the air in bypass 592 is not heated when air is delivered to inlet nozzle 44 (i.e., air flow 572) when inlet nozzle is between Position 2 and Position 3. However, solenoid 594 may be switched to a second position to deliver the air to lines 582 and/or 584 by line 596, where air passes through heat exchanger 588 before delivery to inlet nozzle 44 and/or outlet conduit 400.

[00141] Since heating tank 506 also has heated material (fluid), heating tank 506 may be heated beyond a pre-determined temperature to produce vapor, steam, or other gaseous/liquid mixtures that may also heat the beverage medium 78 prior to delivery of fluid for brewing. Such pre-heating/pre-wetting provided by the vapor, steam, and/or other gaseous/liquid mixtures may be provided to beverage medium 78 prior to the heated air in lines 582 and/or 584, after the heated air in lines 582 and/or 584, and/or during overlapping time periods as the heated air in lines 582 and/or 584, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00142] Providing heated air through lines 582 and/or 584 (whether or not the airis heated by heat exchanger 588 and/or inline resistance heater 590), and/or providing pre -heating from the gaseous/liquid mixture from heating unit 506, raises the temperature of the beverage medium 78 prior to brewing. By raising the temperature of the beverage medium 78 to a temperature at or near the brewing temperature (e.g., the pre-determined temperature of the liquid in heating unit 506, or a temperature above or below the pre-determined temperature), the liquid delivered during the brewing period may have a more uniform extraction of desired oils and/or flavors from the beverage medium 78. Further, raising the temperature of the beverage medium 78 to a desired temperature may place the beverage medium 78 at a more optimal temperature for extraction of the desired oils and/or flavors from beverage medium 78.

[00143] For example, and not by way of limitation, ambient temperature for a beverage cartridge 48 may be room temperature, which is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

Coffee is often brewed at 195 °F, and espresso drinks are often brewed at 210 °F. It may take two minutes of fluid delivery to deliver 10 ounces of brewed coffee, and/or may take one minute of fluid delivery to deliver 4 ounces of espresso. At the beginning of the brewing period (i.e., when fluid is delivered to the beverage medium 78), without pre -heating of the beverage medium 78, the temperature difference between the beverage medium 78 and the incoming fluid from heating tank 506 is approximately 125 °F for brewed coffee and

approximately 140 °F for espresso.

[00144] The efficiency and/or amount of extraction of oils and other flavors from beverage medium 78 are a function of temperature. The temperature difference between the incoming fluid and the beverage medium 78 means that at the beginning of the brewing period, the fluid extracts oils and other flavors from the beverage medium 78 at a first efficiency and/or amount of extraction. As the brewing period continues, the temperature of the beverage medium 78 rises, because thermal energy is transferred from the fluid to the beverage medium 78. As such, the efficiency and/or amount of extraction of the oils and/or other flavors changes throughout the brewing period, until the beverage medium 78 reaches the temperature of the incoming fluid.

[00145] In an aspect of the present disclosure, delivering air via lines 582 and/or 584 may also raise the temperature of the fluid in heating tank 506. The pressure of the air in lines 582 and/or 584 raises the pressure in the conduits in system 10, and therefore also raises thepressure in heating tank 506. The increase in pressure in heating tank 506 increases the temperature of the fluid in heating tank 506, similar to a pressure cooker, and may raise the temperature of the fluid above the normal boiling point of the fluid.

[00146] As shown in FIG. 24, the check valve is placed closer to the heating tank 506, and line 582 is coupled between the check valve and the inlet nozzle 44. In such an aspect of the present disclosure, this configuration of system 10 does not transfer heat of air heated by heat exchanger 580 to the thermal mass of the check valve, and thus provides more thermal energy in a shorter amount of time to the beverage medium 78. In another aspect of the present disclosure, line 582 and/or line 584 may be on the same side of the check valve as the heating unit 506, however, thermal energy from the heated air may be transferred to the check valve in such a configuration. If thermal energy is transferred to the check valve, it may take a longer period of time to heat the beverage medium to the desired temperature prior to fluid delivery (brewing) in system 10.

[00147] In an aspect of the present disclosure, pre-heating the beverage medium 78 to a temperature close to or at the temperature of the incoming fluid may create a more uniform extraction of oils and/or flavors from the beverage medium 78 throughout the brewing period.

[00148] Since extraction of the desired oils, dissolved solids, etc., from the beverage medium 78 is also a function of contact time of the fluid with the beverage medium 78 as well as the temperature and/or other factors, the changing temperature of the beverage medium from 70°F (ambient) during exposure to the incoming fluid during the brewing period may change the amount of extraction that can be derived from a beverage medium 78 at each point in time during the brewing period. By pre -heating the beverage medium 78 with air and/or vapor, the extraction of oils and/or flavors during the brewing period may be greater, as increased extraction efficiency may be attained when the difference in temperature between the beverage medium 78 and the incoming fluid is reduced. Further, pre-heating of the beverage medium 78 may create a more consistent extraction across a number of beverage cartridges 48 of the same type. The more constant the temperature of beverage medium 78 can be maintained during the brewing period, the extraction of oils and/or flavors (which result in total dissolved solids in the final beverage) may be more consistent and/or more efficient.

Cartridge Removal

[00149] When a beverage cartridge has been used (i.e., system 10 has delivered fluid to that cartridge 48 and has completed a brewing cycle), system 10 sensors will indicate that lid 26 is in Position 3. When the brewing cycle is completed, system 10 may then use air pump 580 to lower the level of fluid and beverage medium 78 in beverage cartridge 48. This air purge may be with heated air from line 582. Such a purge may reduce dripping of fluid from outlet conduit 400 into a user's cup or mug, and may reduce the possibility of beverage medium 78 particles remaining in contact with inlet nozzle 44. Further, the air purge may reduce the possibility of particles becoming lodged in inlet nozzle 44, which will allow for more reliable performance of system 10.

[00150] To remove a beverage cartridge 48, lid 26 is moved from Position 3 back to

Position 1. System 10 senses that a brewing cycle has just been completed, and may not allow a user to press the brew button again to re -use a beverage cartridge 48 until microswitch 560 changes state, microswitch 568 changes state, and microswitch 550 changes state, and the microswitches 560, 568, and 550 change state in the proper order. Once microswitch 560 changes state, system 10 may again energize air pump 580 to pump air through inlet nozzle 44, again to reduce the possibility that particles of beverage medium are lodged and/or otherwise attached to inlet nozzle 44. System 10 may energize air pump 580 for a certain length of time, or may energize air pump from the time microswitch 560 changes state until microswitch 568 changes state, as that would indicate that the lid 26 has moved from Position 3 to Position 2. Once in Position 2, system 10 may stop energizing air pump 580, as system 10 may be considered to have cleared inlet nozzle 44.

[00151] In an aspect of the present disclosure, system 10 may continue to energize air pump 580 as long as lid 26 is not in Position 3. System 10 may energize air pump 580 at a lower voltage and/or current, such that the air flow through inlet nozzle is at a lower pressure. In an aspect of the present disclosure, system 10 may employ heated air while the lid 26 is in other positions, such as Position 1, which may pre -heat the conduits and lines 582 and/or 584, to prepare system 10 for another brewing cycle. Such heated air delivery may be continuous, periodic, and/or timed, such that system 10 may transfer a larger amount of thermal energy to beverage medium 78. For example, and not by way of limitation, when a user opens lid 26 (from Position 3 to Position 1), system 10 may energize air pump 580 at a first voltage until lid 26 reaches Position 2, and then reduce the voltage to air pump 580 after reaching Position 2. The voltage provided to air pump 580 may be further reduced when lid 26 reaches Position 1, or may be maintained at the same voltage, and/or may be duty-cycled and/or timed such that lines 582 and/or 584 are supplied with heated air when lid 26 is in any position. Delivery of heated air during a preparation portion of a brewing cycle may increase and/or maintain the temperature of the conduits between air pump 580 and inlet nozzle 44. Such delivery of heated air may also heat and/or maintain the temperature of inlet nozzle 44. In such an aspect of the present disclosure, when a user places an unused beverage cartridge 48 into receptacle 30 and moves lid 26 from Position 1 to Position 3, system 10 will be able to transfer heat to beverage medium 78 without losing thermal energy to the heating of lines 582 and/or 584 and/or inlet nozzle 44.

[00152] In addition, sensors may be employed and/or look-up tables may be used by processor 512, in a feedback loop and/or as a background process, to determine the operational characteristics, e.g., voltage and/or duration, etc., for air pump 580 in maintaining and/or increasing the temperature of lines 582 and/or 584 as well as other conduits or devices between air pump 580 and inlet nozzle 44. Such maintenance of the temperature of these conduits may allow for more efficient and/or timely delivery of thermal energy to beverage medium 78, which may reduce the preparation and/or brewing time system 10 employs to produce a desired beverage.

[00153] Other functions may be performed by system 10 based on the position of lid 26 and the other inputs to system 10 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As an example, Table 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of the actions taken by system 10 based on the status (open, "O", or closed, "C") and/or position ("POS") of lid 26, and/or the status of microswitches ("SW") 550, 560, and/or 568. Other functions based on position of lid 26, whether or not in combination with other actions taken by system 10, are also possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is understood that Table 1 illustrates but one embodiment, and variations thereof are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, air flow could stop prior to reaching P3.

Table 1

BEFORE BREW (Starting with LID in PI)

SW1 SW2 LID POS POSSIBLE ACTION(S)

0 O O PI Arm system; begin heating air/water c O O P1 P2 System now knows direction of travel of jaw is toward P3 c c O P2 Start air flow to clear needle c c C P3 Stop air flow after x sec (x > 0); wait for brew button to be pressed

Possible Actions When Brew Button is Pressed:

1. Verify amount of fluid to be delivered and other settings from user

2. Hot air pre -heat

3. Steam/vapor pre -heat/pre -wet

4. Brew (variable)

5. Purge lines with air AFTER BREW (Starting with LID in P3)

SW1 SW2 LID POS POSSIBLE ACTION(S) c c C P3 Purge water from cartridge with air pump (timed) c c 0 P3/P2 System knows direction of travel is toward PI : air purge AGAIN c 0 0 P2 Air purge stops

0 0 0 PI Arm system; begin heating air/water if necessary

Beverage Material Heating

[00154] FIG. 25 illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

[00155] As described with respect to FIGS. 21-24, and in other aspects of the present disclosure, there may be one or more mechanisms employed by system 10 to heat the beverage medium 74. In an aspect of the present disclosure, heated air, which is pumped and/or moved by air pump 580 is heated by heat exchanger 588 and delivered to inlet nozzle 44 and/or outlet conduit 400. In another aspect of the present disclosure, an in-line resistance heater 590 may heat the air provided by air pump 580 independently of the heat being provided by heating tank 506 to heat exchanger 588.

[00156] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be a filament 2500 that is wrapped around one or more of the conduits that deliver air, fluid, and/or vapor to inlet nozzle 44. Filament 2500 may be internal to the conduit, wrapped around the conduit, and/or molded into the conduit as desired without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00157] Filament 2500 may be used to heat the material travelling through the conduit, or may be used to heat and/or maintain the temperature of the conduit itself. By maintaining the temperature of the conduit, which is inaccessible to the user, the temperature of fluid, air, or other material through the temperature-controlled conduit may be delivered to beverage cartridge 48, and thus beverage material 78, without losing thermal energy to the conduit itself. The conduit, check valve, inlet nozzle 44, and other materials of system 10 that contact beverage cartridge 48 and/or beverage medium 78 each act as a heat sink for materials being delivered to beverage medium 78. When heated fluid, air, and/or vapor travels through these devices, some of the heat of the fluid, air, and/or vapor is used to heat the devices between, e.g., the heating tank 506 and/or the air pump 580 and the inlet nozzle 44. As fluid, air, and/or vapor continues to flow through these devices, the temperature of these devices increases, and less heat is transferred from the fluid, air, and/or vapor to the devices themselves, thus delivering more thermal energy to the beverage medium 78.

[00158] By reducing the temperature difference between these devices, e.g., the conduits, valves, needles, and other surfaces that are in thermal contact with beverage medium 78, and the temperature of the fluid/air/vapor travelling through these devices, the beverage medium 78 may receive a larger amount of thermal energy in a shorter amount of time, thus reducing the time to heat the beverage medium 78. Further, controlling the temperature of the devices in system 10 that are used to deliver and/or control the delivery of heated fluids, air, and/or vapors may more precisely control the temperature of the fluid, air, and/or vapor as delivered to beverage medium 78. This may result in a more consistent beverage production from system 10. Filament 2500 may also heat inlet nozzle 44, since the thermal conductivity of conduits coupled to inlet nozzle 44 will conduct heat from filament 2500 through the conduit to inlet nozzle 44. Similar conduction paths may be used to heat outlet conduit 400 if desired without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00159] A heating element 2502 may be added to inlet nozzle 44, which may provide a heat source to pre -heat beverage medium 78 once inlet nozzle 44 is introduce to beverage cartridge 48. Further, beverage cartridge 48 may comprise a heater element 2504 that is coupled to cover 49, such that contacts within system 10 energize heater element 2504 at a desired time during the brewing cycle. Cover 49 is often made of aluminum, and electrical contacts may be made within lid 26 to connect to the cover 49 contacts. Since the orientation of cover 49 is somewhat random, the contacts may be made in a circular pattern, such that regardless of the orientation of the beverage cartridge 48, connections may be made to heater element2504.

[00160] Heating elements 2506 may also be employed within brewing head 16 to heat beverage medium 78. Heating elements 2506 may be energized based on lid 26 position as described with respect to FIGS. 21-24, or may be employed based on other inputs to system 10, e.g., pressing of the brew button, amount of fluid to be delivered to beverage cartridge 48, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00161] Although heating tank 506 may be boosted to deliver vapor and/or steam to inlet nozzle 44, a separate vapor generator 2508 may be employed to deliver vapor and/or steam to inlet nozzle 44 and/or outlet conduit 400. Such delivery may be a more efficient manner of thermal transfer to beverage medium 44, as the liquid portion of the vapor from vapor generator 2508 may transfer heat quicker to beverage medium 78 than air.

[00162] The devices and methods described herein are merely examples of methods and devices that may be employed by system 10 to pre-heat beverage medium 78 to a desired temperature before producing a beverage from beverage medium 78. In this respect, any of the devices disclosed herein for the purpose of pre -heating the beverage medium 78 may be referred to as pre-heaters. There may be other methods and/or pre-heater devices that may preheat the beverage medium 78 to a desired brewing temperature. These additional methods and/or devices are envisioned as within the scope of the present disclosure.

[00163] Further, depending on the beverage medium 78, one or more of the methods and/or devices for pre-heating the beverage medium 78 may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, and not by way of limitation, some beverage mediums 78 may produce undesirable taste and/or quality characteristics if the temperature is raised too rapidly. As such, system 10 may be programmed, either by the user or in advance, to raise the temperature on such beverage mediums 78 using air rather than vapor to reduce the possibility of producing the undesirable taste and/or quality characteristics. With other beverage mediums 78, a faster increase in the temperature may be desired. Heated air from heat exchanger 588, pumped by air pump 580 and delivered to beverage medium 78, along with steam from vapor generator 2508, steam from heating tank 506, as well as heating the conduits leading to inlet nozzle 44 and/or outlet conduit 400 with one or more filaments 2500, may be performed simultaneously to reduce the heating time of beverage medium 78. One or more of the preheating methods and/or devices described as within the scope of the present disclosure may be performed at any time during a brewing cycle, with and/or without user inputs to system 10.

[00164] System 10 may also employ one or more of the methods and/or devices that are considered within the scope of the present disclosure to pre -heat beverage medium 78. Such methods and/or devices may be used in a sequence, simultaneously, and/or overlapping in time, and may be of different durations and/or combinations of methods and/or devices as desired, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00165] The memory 514 may be implemented in firmware and/or software

implementation. The firmware and/or software implementation methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. A machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 514) and executed by a processor unit (e.g., processor 512). Memory may be implemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit. As used herein, the term "memory" refers to types of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to a particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

[00166] If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Examples include computer- readable media encoded with a data structure and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media includes physical computer storage media. A storage medium may be an available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk andBlu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer- readable media.

[00167] In addition to storage on computer readable medium, instructions and/or data may be provided as signals on transmission media included in a communication apparatus. For example, a communication apparatus may include a transceiver having signals indicative of instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to implement the functions outlined in the claims.

[00168] Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the technology of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, relational terms, such as "above" and "below" are used with respect to brewers. Of course, if the brewer is inverted, above becomes below, and vice versa. Additionally, if oriented sideways, above and below may refer to sides of a brewer. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding configurations described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

[00169] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00170] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general -purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more

microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[00171] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM,

EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The

processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal. [00172] In one or more exemplary designs, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store specified program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.

Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer- readable media.

[00173] The description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[00174] Although several embodiments have been described in detail forpurposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by the examples presented herein, but is envisioned as encompassing the scope described in the appended claims and the full range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A beverage brewing device, comprising:

a brewer head comprising a receptacle configured to receive a beverage medium;

an inlet nozzle which may be coupled to said receptacle, said inlet nozzle configured to deliver a fluid to said beverage medium when coupled to said receptacle;

an outlet conduit coupled to said receptacle, said outlet conduit configured to pass fluid from said brewer head;

a heating tank;

a pre-heater for delivering thermal energy to a beverage medium in said receptacle, in which a temperature of said beverage medium is increased by said delivered thermal energy prior to brewing a beverage from said beverage medium.

2. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, wherein said pre-heater comprises a conduit that is fiuidly coupled to said receptacle.

3. The beverage brewing device of claim 2, wherein said conduit is configured to be heated.

4. The beverage brewing device of claim 3, further comprising a heat exchanger that is thermally coupled to said conduit.

5. The beverage brewing device of claim 3, further comprising an in-line resistance heater that is thermally coupled to said conduit.

6. The beverage brewing device of claim 3, further comprising a heating filament that is thermally coupled to said conduit.

7. The beverage brewing device of claim 2, wherein said conduit is configured to deliver heated fluid from said heating tank to said receptacle.

8. The beverage brewing device of claim 7, wherein said heated fluid is air.

9. The beverage brewing device of claim 7, wherein said heated fluid is water vapor.

10. The beverage brewing device of claim 2, wherein said conduit is configured to deliver heated air from areas near said heating tank to said receptacle.

11. The beverage brewing device of claim 1 , wherein said pre-heater comprises an air pump configured to provide heated fluid to said receptacle via at least one conduit.

12. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, wherein said pre-heater comprises a heating element thermally coupled to said inlet nozzle.

13. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, wherein said pre-heater comprises one or more heating elements disposed within said brewer head.

14. The beverage brewing device of claim 1, further comprising a vapor generator that is fiuidly coupled to said inlet nozzle and/or said outlet conduit.

15. A beverage brewer comprising:

a brewer head comprising:

a lid capable of movement between a first position that is open, a third position that is closed, and a second position between said first and third positions;

a receptacle configured to receive a beverage medium;

an inlet nozzle coupled to said receptacle when said lid is in said third position, said inlet nozzle configured to deliver a fluid to said beverage medium when coupled to said receptacle; and

an outlet conduit coupled to said receptacle, said outlet conduit configured to pass from said beverage brewing device; and

a plurality of sensors configured to sense the position of said lid; and

a processor to control processes of said beverage brewer device.

16. The beverage brewer of claim 15, wherein said processor uses information from said sensors to control said processes of said beverage brewer device.

17. The beverage brewer of claim 15, said plurality of sensors comprising at least one microswitch.

18. The beverage brewer of claim 15, said plurality of sensors comprising three sensors, each of said three sensors configured to sense one of said first, second, and third positions of said lid.

19. The beverage brewer of claim 15, wherein said second position is an adjustable position between said first and third positions.

20. The beverage brewer of claim 15, further comprising an air pump fluidly coupled to said inlet nozzle, wherein said processor uses information from said sensors and energizes said air pump at an appropriate time as said lid moves into said third position, providing a flow of air as said inlet nozzle enters said receptacle.

21. The beverage brewer of claim 15, further comprising an air pump fluidly coupled to said inlet nozzle, wherein said processor uses information from said sensors and energizes said air pump as at an appropriate time as said lid moves from said third position to said second position, providing a flow of air as said inlet nozzle retracts from said receptacle.

22. The beverage brewer of claim 15, wherein said processor uses information from said sensors to initiate a pre -heating cycle to heat a beverage medium within said receptacle prior to brewing a beverage.

23. A beverage brewing process, comprising:

providing a beverage medium;

pre-heating said beverage medium prior to the introduction of a brewing liquid to said medium; and introducing said brewing liquid to said beverage medium.

24. The beverage brewing process of claim 23, wherein said pre -heating comprises preheating with air and/or water vapor.