Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsLukasz D. Skalski, Tiemen T. Van Dillen
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Abstract
Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
Claims20
A system for guiding liquid through an enhanced beverage preparation process comprising:
- a. means for supplying a flow of liquid having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a source of liquid and an outlet adapted for fluid communication with a beverage receiving point;
- b. means in the flow of liquid comprising:
- i. a flow-through mode having an enhancement flow path connected in fluid communication with the source of liquid, the enhancement flow path having a chamber adapted for housing an enhancement component;
- and
- ii. a parallel flow mode having a liquid flow path connected in fluid communication with the source of liquid and an enhancement flow path with a chamber adapted for housing an enhancement component;
- c. said means in the flow of/liquid configurable to either:
- i. the flow-through mode to prepare an enhanced beverage;
- or
- ii. the parallel flow mode to prepare the enhanced beverage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.