Beverage machine, beverage tablet, and method of forming a beverage
AssigneeKeurig Green Mountain, Inc.
InventorsMatthew James Maille, Jordan Cormier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects described herein relate to improvements in beverage machines and methods of brewing beverages therein. According to some embodiments, a beverage tablet includes one or more voids configured to physically interact with one or more contact pins of a beverage machine. The interaction between the tablet of beverage material and the beverage machine may physically configure mechanical flow controls that establish the parameters for brewing the beverage specific to the composition of the tablet.
Claims27
A beverage machine, comprising:
- a brew chamber configured to receive a beverage tablet comprising beverage ingredients;
- at least one contact pin, wherein the at least one contact pin is configured to physically contact the beverage tablet, and wherein the at least one contact pin is moveable relative to the brew chamber such that contact between the contact pin and the tablet causes the at least one contact pin to move a displacement distance relative to the brew chamber;
- and
- at least one fluid port configured to introduce fluid from a liquid supply into the brew chamber,
- wherein the displacement distance moved by the at least one contact pin due to contact between the at least one contact pin and the beverage tablet mechanically sets a fluid flow rate from the at least one fluid port.
A beverage tablet comprising:
- a first end of the beverage tablet;
- a second end of the beverage tablet displaced by the first end by a thickness;
- and
- a blind hole having a depth extending from the first end of the beverage tablet toward the second end of the beverage tablet only partially through the thickness, the blind hole having an interior contact surface configured to abut against a contact pin of a beverage machine.
23-30. (canceled)
A beverage forming arrangement comprising:
- a beverage machine;
- and
- a beverage tablet comprising a blind hole having a depth extending only partially through a thickness of the beverage tablet, the blind hole having an interior contact surface configured to abut against a contact pin of the beverage machine, wherein the depth of the blind hole determines a displacement distance of the contact pin during abutment of the interior contact surface against the contact pin,
- wherein the displacement distance moved by the contact pin mechanically sets a fluid flow rate from at least one fluid port of the beverage machine.
32-38. (canceled)
A method of forming a beverage comprising:
- inserting a beverage tablet into a beverage machine;
- bringing at least one contact pin of the beverage machine into contact with the beverage tablet, causing the at least one contact pin to move a displacement distance due to contact with the beverage tablet, wherein the displacement distance moved by the at least one contact pin mechanically sets a fluid flow rate from at least one fluid port of the beverage machine;
- and
- actuating the beverage machine to output liquid through the at least one fluid port at the fluid flow rate into contact with the beverage machine to form a beverage.
40-46. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.