Beverage machine and methods of forming beverages from beverage tablets

Abstract

A beverage machine is provided, where the beverage machine may, in some embodiments, be configured to have a brew chamber configured for receiving beverage tablets. The beverage machine may include a first crush plate and a second crush plate configured to hold, compress, and deform the beverage tablet. The beverage machine may include piercing needles configured to pierce the beverage tablet. At least one of the first and second crush plates may include an annular surface. At least some piercing needles of the beverage machine may be disposed below the annular surface, such that the at least some piercing needles may not immediately pierce the beverage tablet when the beverage tablet contacts the annular surface. At least one surface of the beverage tablet may be configured to conform to the annular surface of the at least one of the first and second crush plates during a brew operation.

Description

BEVERAGE MACHINE AND METHODS OF FORMING BEVERAGES FROM BEVERAGE TABLETSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application serial number 63 / 564,222, filed March 12, 2024, and U.S. provisional application serial number 63 / 565,932, filed March 15, 2024, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are related to beverage machines for forming beverages from package-free beverage tablets and methods of forming beverages with package-free beverage tablets.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tablets of compacted beverage ingredients can be used for forming a beverage. In some arrangements, such beverage tablets are mixed directly with hot water to form a beverage. In some arrangements, water is permitted to percolate through beverage tablets to form a beverage.SUMMARY

[0004] A beverage machine is provided, the beverage machine comprising a liquid supply configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage, a chamber configured to hold a beverage tablet having a beverage material for combining with liquid from the liquid supply to form a beverage, wherein the beverage tablet comprises a body of compressed beverage material, a crush plate comprising an annular surface, one or more inlet needles, and one or more outlet needles disposed below the annular surface of the crush plate. The crush plate is configured to compress and deform the beverage tablet. The one or more inlet needles are configured to pierce the beverage tablet to allow for introduction of liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage tablet to expand the tablet. The one or more outlet needles areconfigured to pierce the beverage tablet as the beverage tablet expands to allow the beverage to exit the beverage tablet.

[0005] A method of forming a beverage is provided, the method comprising compressing and deforming the beverage tablet with an annular surface of a crush plate, piercing the beverage tablet with one or more inlet needles, introducing a volume of liquid from a liquid supply into the beverage tablet through the plurality of inlet needles, wherein introducing the volume of liquid into the beverage tablet causes the beverage tablet to expand, and piercing the beverage tablet with one or more outlet needles disposed below the annular surface of the first crush plate to allow the beverage to exit the beverage tablet.

[0006] It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various nonlimiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a beverage machine according to an embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a brew chamber of the beverage machine of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 in a partially closed configuration;

[0011] FIG. 4 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 in a partially closed configuration closer to the closed configuration than shown in FIG. 3;

[0012] FIG. 5 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 in a partially closed configuration closer to the closed configuration than shown in FIG. 4;

[0013] FIG. 6 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 in a closed configuration;

[0014] FIG. 7 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 with a beverage tablet in a compressed configuration;

[0015] FIG. 8 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 with a beverage tablet in an expanded configuration;

[0016] FIG. 9 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 2 with a beverage tablet in an ejected configuration;

[0017] FIG. 10 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG.2 with a beverage tablet in a compressed configuration, where the beverage tablet is taller than the beverage tablet of FIG. 7;

[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an upstream fluid system of a beverage machine according to an embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a brew chamber of a beverage machine according to an embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the brew chamber of FIG. 12 with a hydraulic chamber of the brew chamber in a filled configuration;

[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a brew chamber fluid system according to an embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a brew chamber including a first crush plate according to an embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a brew chamber including a second crush plate according to an embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion of the brew chamber of FIG. 16;

[0025] FIG. 18A is a front view of the portion of the brew chamber of FIG. 16;

[0026] FIG. 18B is a front view of the portion of the brew chamber of FIG. 15; and

[0027] FIG. 19 shows a cross sectional side view of a portion of a brew chamber according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Aspects herein relate to a beverage machine configured to form beverages using beverage tablets such as the beverage tablets disclosed in embodiments below. Many brewed beverages are conventionally prepared by enclosing an amount of loose particles of beverage ingredient, such as loose coffee grinds or tea leaves, into a beverage machine. Use of loose particles of beverage ingredient to prepare brewed beverages may be inconvenient as it may require additional steps of measuring out a specific amount beverage of ingredient. Additionally, loose particles of beverage ingredient carries the potential for spillage while preparing and transporting the desired amount of beverage ingredient to and from the beverage machine. Additionally, many brewing machines that use loose particles of beverage ingredient require cleaning after each use to remove loose particles from the inside of the machine.

[0029] Single serve beverage pods have been implemented to alleviate some of these concerns. However, such beverage pods generally contain loose beverage ingredient in a disposable packaging. Utilizing such packaging may generate additional waste.

[0030] The inventors have therefore recognized benefits of providing package-less beverage consumables that can be used with a beverage machine to form a beverage. In some embodiments, a beverage consumable comprises a tablet which includes beverage ingredient compacted into a desired shape and density. The tablet may be at least partially surrounded by a coating. Such beverage tablets may allow for the increased convenience of single-serve beverage consumables while reducing waste.

[0031] The beverage tablet may be able to hold its own shape, and thus may not require individual packaging to prevent dispersing of the beverage material prior to use in forming a beverage. The beverage tablet may be configured to be received within a beverage machine without packaging such that the beverage tablet (e.g. the beverage ingredients and / or coating) directly contacts the beverage machine (e.g. a brew chamber) during a brewing process (e.g. without requiring the beverage machine to pierce through or otherwise open packaging to access the beverage ingredients).

[0032] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises a solid body comprising a beverage ingredient. For example, one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet may be formed into a solid body by compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any ofa variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients.

[0033] In some embodiments, a package-less beverage consumable (e.g., a beverage tablet) may include a coating disposed along at least a portion of the outer surface at the periphery of the consumable. In some embodiments, the coating may bind the beverage ingredients within the interior of the consumable. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredients held within the coating may be loose, such as loose ground coffee, or compacted. The coating may be a food grade binder, an alginate, edible, soluble, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the coating may serve as a barrier to reduce infiltration of oxygen and / or moisture such as to maintain freshness of the beverage ingredients. Material of the package-less beverage consumable, including a coating of the consumable if one is present, may directly contact some portion of the beverage machine, such as the brew chamber, before brewing the beverage, without intervening packaging in-between.

[0034] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may be formed in a variety of sizes, and the beverage machine may be capable of receiving and forming beverages from beverage tablets in the variety of sizes. In some embodiments, the beverage machine may be configured to form different styles of brewed beverages (e.g. espresso, double-shot espresso, drip coffee, iced coffee, etc.) from different sized beverage tablets. For instance, a smaller beverage tablet may be configured to form an espresso, while a larger beverage tablet may be configured to form drip coffee, and an even larger beverage tablet may be used to form iced coffee. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may be generally cylindrical, and different sizes of beverage tablet may be formed by altering a height of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have generally flat end surfaces. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have domed end surfaces.

[0035] In some embodiments, the beverage machine may include a brew chamber configured to receive a beverage tablet in an open configuration and to move to a closed configuration, where the beverage material inside the beverage tablet is mixed with water from a liquid supply to form a beverage. The brew chamber may be configured to receive beverage tablets having different heights.

[0036] In some embodiments, to form a beverage, the beverage tablet may first be received between first and second crush plates in a brew chamber of the brew chamber. Insome embodiments, the first crush plate may include an annular surface. The annular surface may be configured to contact a portion of the beverage tablet along a perimeter of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet is deformed (as discussed further below), a surface of the beverage tablet is configured to conform to the shape of the annular surface of the first crush plate.

[0037] In some embodiments, to form a beverage, the beverage tablet may first be received between first and second crush plates in the brew chamber. A brew chamber fluid system may then be used to perform various operations to form the beverage.

[0038] In some embodiments, water may be delivered to the brew chamber to pre- wet the beverage tablet via a pre wet flow path. Pre-wetting the beverage tablet may soften the coating of the beverage tablet. After the beverage tablet is pre-wet, the water may be drained from the brew chamber into a disposal unit. Water may then be pumped into a hydraulic chamber adjacent to the brew chamber via a hydraulic chamber flow path. As water is pumped into the hydraulic chamber, the chamber expands to accommodate the water. A wall of the brew chamber may be operatively connected to the second crush plate, such that the wall and the second crush plate are pushed towards the first crush plate as the hydraulic chamber is filled. Movement of the second crush plate towards the first crush plate may compress and deform the beverage tablet between the first crush plate and the second crush plate. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet is compressed and deformed, the body of beverage material in the beverage tablet is fractured and breaks into smaller pieces. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a coating that contains the pieces of the fractured tablets within an enclosed space such that the tablet pieces do not disperse into the brew chamber. In some embodiments, an inlet piercing mechanism (e.g. inlet piercing needles) may pierce the beverage tablet as the beverage tablet is compressed and deformed. Water may then be pumped into the beverage tablet though the inlet needles via an inlet needle flow path and mix with the beverage material to form the beverage.

[0039] In some embodiments, pre- wet flow path, hydraulic chamber flow path, and inlet needle flow path may diverge upstream of the brew chamber and hydraulic chamber. In some embodiments, flow between the flow paths is controlled by actively or passively controlled check valves, or by a combination of controllable check valves (e.g. solenoidcheck valves, electric ball valves, etc.) and passive check valves. In some embodiments, flow along the pre-wet flow path is controlled via a controllable check valve, while flow along the hydraulic chamber flow path and inlet needle flow path is controlled via passive check valves disposed on each respective flow path. In some embodiments, the check valve on the hydraulic chamber flow path has a lower cracking pressure than the check valve on the inlet needle flow path.

[0040] In some embodiments, introducing water into the beverage tablet may cause the beverage tablet to expand until the beverage tablet contacts an outlet piercing mechanism (e.g. outlet piercing needles), which may then pierce the beverage tablet and allow the beverage to exit the beverage tablet. The outlet piercing mechanism may be fluidly connected to a brew chamber outlet, allowing the beverage to exit the brew chamber. In some embodiments, the outlet piercing mechanism may be disposed below the annular surface of the first crush plate, such that the outlet piercing mechanisms do not pierce the beverage tablet until the beverage tablet expands. In other embodiments, the outlet piercing mechanism may contact the tablet at the same time as the inlet piercing mechanism. In yet other embodiments, the outlet piercing mechanism may contact the tablet after the inlet piercing mechanism, but before the beverage tablet is expanded.

[0041] In some embodiments, the brew chamber outlet may be fluidly connected to a high pressure outlet flow path and a low pressure outlet flow path, the outlet flow paths configured to provide a variable brew pressure for forming different types of brewed beverages which require different brew pressures (e.g. espresso, drip coffee, etc.). In some embodiments, the high pressure flow path may include a valve configured to create sufficient brew pressure to allow for the formation of crema. In some embodiments, the low pressure outlet flow path may include a valve. In some embodiments, the high pressure flow path check valve is a passive valve, and the low pressure flow path valve is a controllable valve. When the low pressure valve is open, the beverage is directed along the low pressure flow path to a dispensing outlet, which results in a beverage formed with a lower brew pressure. When the low pressure valve is closed, the beverage is directed along the high pressure outlet flow path to a dispensing outlet, which results in a beverage formed with a higher brew pressure.

[0042] In some embodiments, the beverage machine may be configured to automatically eject the beverage tablet from the brew chamber after a brew operation is completed. In some embodiments, the second brew chamber section may translate away from the first brew chamber section, exposing an opening below the brew chamber. The used beverage tablet may fall through the opening into a disposal unit.

[0043] In some embodiments, the beverage machine may include an upstream fluid system configured to condition and deliver water to the brew chamber fluid system. The upstream fluid system may be capable of delivering water with different parameters (e.g. pressure, temperature, volume, etc.) In some embodiments, the beverage machine may include a sensor system configured to detect a physical dimension of the beverage tablet, such as height. Based on this detected physical dimension, a controller of the upstream fluid system may then display certain associated options to a user on a user interface and / or control parameters of the water delivered to the brew chamber.

[0044] Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually and / or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.Brew Chamber Structure and Operation

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a beverage machine in an open configuration according to an embodiment. As discussed above, it may be desirable for beverage machine 100 to be capable of forming a beverage from beverage tablets comprised of compressed beverage material, as such beverage tablets may be more convenient than loose beverage material, but may require less packaging than conventional beverage cartridges. Beverage machine 100 may include a brew chamber 200 configured to receive a beverage tablet 400 and form a beverage using the beverage tablet 400. As will be discussed below, brew chamber 200 may be configured to receive a beverage tablet in an open configuration and form the beverage in a closed configuration. Beverage machine 100 may also include an upstream fluid system 300 configured to condition and deliver water from a liquid supply 302 to operate the brew chamber 200 and mix with beverage material in thebeverage tablet 400 to form the beverage. In some embodiments, brew chamber 200 and upstream fluid system 300 may be at least partially contained in housing 108.

[0046] In some embodiments, beverage machine 100 may include a lid 102. Lid 102 may be configured to move between an open position to permit a beverage tablet to be placed in the brew chamber 200, and a closed position in which the brew chamber 200 is in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, when the lid is in the closed position, the brew chamber 200 is fully enclosed in the housing 108. In some embodiments, lid 102 is operatively connected to the brew chamber 200 via linkages, such that moving the lid from the open position to the closed position moves the brew chamber 200 between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

[0047] In some embodiments, an imaging device 104 may be disposed on lid 102 and configured to image a portion of the beverage tablet 400. This portion of beverage tablet 400 may include surface indicia configured to be read by controller 301 and interpreted as corresponding to a type of beverage tablet 400 (e.g. size, roast level, etc.). Controller 301 may then present brew parameter options (e.g. volume, brew pressure, brew strength, brew temperature) to a user on a user interface 110 and / or otherwise control the upstream fluid system according to the type of beverage tablet detected.

[0048] In some embodiments, the beverage machine 100 may include a dispensing flow path 106 configured to receive the beverage from the brew chamber 200 and allow the beverage to exit the housing 108 through a dispensing outlet disposed at an end of the dispensing flow path 106. In some embodiments, dispensing flow path 106 may include various conditioning chambers configured to condition various fluid parameters (e.g. temperature, turbulence, flow rate, etc.) of the beverage prior to dispensing the beverage.

[0049] As mentioned above, beverage tablet 400 may include a body 402 formed of compacted beverage material. Body 402 may be generally cylindrical, with first end 406 and second end 408. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the ends of the beverage tablet 400 may be substantially identical, such that either end may be the first end 406 or the second end 408. In some embodiments, first and / or second ends are domed. In some embodiments, beverage tablet 400 includes at least one coating 404 configured to at least partially encapsulate the body 402. Coating 404 may be configured to soften when wetted, permitting the coating to stretch without ripping or fracturing.

[0050] FIGS. 2-6 show simplified cross section views of a brew chamber in various stages of closing. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the brew chamber 200 to receive the beverage tablet 400 in a vertical orientation (as seen in FIG. 2), and then rotate the beverage tablet 400 to a horizontal orientation for performing a brew operation (as seen in FIG. 6). Such a configuration may allow for capturing an image of surface indicia on the first or second end 406 or 408 when a beverage tablet is first received into the brew chamber by the imaging device 104. Such a configuration may also ensure proper positioning and alignment of the beverage tablet during a brew operation. In some embodiments, such a configuration may allow for redirection of compressive forces on the beverage tablet away from the lid 102 to avoid requiring lid 102 to be strong enough to resist these compressive forces.

[0051] Brew chamber 200 may include first brew chamber section 202 and second brew chamber section 204. Brew chamber 200 may have an open configuration, where first brew chamber section 202 is disconnected from the second brew chamber section 204, and a closed configuration, where the first brew chamber section 202 is connected to the second brew chamber section 204 to form an enclosed brew chamber volume 201, as seen in FIG. 6.

[0052] First brew chamber section 202 may be rotatably disposed in the housing 108, such that the first brew chamber section 202 rotates from a first, vertical-facing position (FIG. 2) to a second, horizontal-facing position (FIG. 6) as the brew chamber moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the first brew chamber section may rotate approximately 90° between the first position and the second position. Second brew chamber section 204 may be slidably disposed in the housing 108, such that the second brew chamber section 204 translates from a retracted position (FIG. 2) to an extended position (FIG. 6) as the brew chamber moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

[0053] First brew chamber section 202 may include a first crush plate 206 configured to receive the beverage tablet 400 in a generally vertical orientation when the first brew chamber section 202 is in the vertical-facing position. In some embodiments, first crush plate 206 may be an annular surface configured to contact a perimeter of first end 406 of beverage tablet 400. Second brew chamber section 204 may include a plunger assembly 205, back wall 208, and sidewalls 210. The plunger assembly 205 may be slidably disposed inside thesecond brew chamber section, such that the plunger assembly may slide relative to the back wall and sidewalls. The plunger assembly may include a plunger 212, with a plunger head 214 and a plunger shaft 216, a second crush plate 207 operatively connected to the plunger head 214, and a spring 218 connecting the plunger shaft 216 to the back wall 208.

[0054] As seen in FIGs. 3 and 4, as the first brew chamber section 202 rotates, the second brew chamber section 204 translates towards the extended position. In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 3, the first brew chamber section 202 begins rotating before the second brew chamber section begins translating. In some embodiments, the second brew chamber section 202 begins translating as soon as the first brew chamber section begins rotating. As the first brew chamber section 202 rotates from the vertical-facing position to the horizontal-facing position, grippers 220 may contact the beverage tablet 400 to hold the beverage tablet 400 against the first crush plate 206. As a result, as the first brew chamber section rotates from the first, vertical-facing position to the second, horizontal-facing position, the beverage tablet 400 also rotates from the vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, the horizontal orientation of the beverage tablet is approximately perpendicular to the vertical orientation of the beverage tablet.

[0055] As mentioned above, it may be desirable for the beverage machine 100 to be configured to accept beverage tablets having different volumes to allow for more flexibility in beverage parameters such as volume or brew strength. In some embodiments, beverage tablets 400 may therefore be scalable along a height H. This allows for an increase in volume of the beverage tablet 400, while maintaining the same surface area of first and second ends 406 and 408. This allows the beverage tablet 400 to align with first crush plate 206 and be grasped by the grippers 220, regardless of the height (and thus the size) of the beverage tablet 400 inserted.

[0056] As seen in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the first brew chamber section 202 reaches the horizontal-facing position before the second brew chamber section 204 reaches the extended position. As or after the first brew chamber section 202 reaches the horizontalfacing position, second crush plate 207 contacts second end 408 of the beverage tablet 400. As the second brew chamber section 204 continues to translate towards the extended position, the plunger assembly 205 stops translating due to the contact between the second crush plate 207 and the second end 408. Because back wall 208 continues to translate towards theextended position, spring 218 is compressed between back wall 208 and plunger shaft 216. Spring 218 thus pushes second crush plate 207 against the second end 408 of the beverage tablet, resulting in a compressive force exerted on the beverage tablet 400 due to contact between the first and second crush plates 206 and 207. This compressive force may be sufficient to hold the beverage tablet 400 between the first crush plate 206 and second crush plate 207, but not sufficient to significantly deform the beverage tablet. Because a shorter beverage tablet would cause the spring 218 to compress less than a taller beverage tablet would, spring 218 may have mechanical properties (e.g. stiffness and length) sufficient to allow for beverage tablets having different heights to be inserted. The mechanical properties of the spring 218 may be selected such that the shortest desired beverage tablet is held with sufficient force between the first and second crush plates, and such that the tallest desired beverage tablet is not held with a compressive force sufficient to cause significant deformation of the beverage tablet.

[0057] In some embodiments, once the beverage tablet is held against the first crush plate 206 by the second crush plate 207, the grippers 220 may release from the beverage tablet 400. In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 5, sidewalls 210 may push the grippers 220 away from the beverage tablet 400 and out of the brew chamber volume 201. Grippers 220 may be configured to lock into a gripper open position, such that the grippers 220 are prevented from moving back towards the beverage tablet 400 until the brew chamber 200 is moved back towards the open configuration.

[0058] The second brew chamber section 204 then slides to the fully extended position, where sidewalls 210 contact sealing ring 211 on the first brew chamber section, creating an enclosed brew chamber volume 201 as seen in FIG. 6.

[0059] Because the beverage tablet 400 is held against the first crush plate either by the grippers or by the crush plates as the brew chamber moves to the closed configuration, beverage tablet 400 is approximately centered inside brew chamber volume 201 when in the closed configuration, such that an approximately equal gap G extends from an outer perimeter of the beverage tablet 400 to an inner perimeter of the sidewalls 210 along the entire outer perimeter of the beverage tablet 400.

[0060] In some embodiments, first brew chamber section 202 includes a brew chamber outlet 222 configured to connect to dispensing flow path 106 when the first brewchamber section 202 is in the horizontal-facing position, and to disconnect from the dispensing flow path 106 when the first brew chamber section 202 is not in the horizontalfacing position. Such a configuration may allow the brew chamber 200 to be connected to the dispensing flow path 106 without requiring flexible tubing or some other bending channel structure. In some embodiments, a sealing gasket may be positioned between brew chamber outlet 222 and dispensing flow path 106 to prevent the beverage from leaking.

[0061] FIGS. 6-9 show simplified cross section views of a brew chamber 200 in various stages of a brew operation. In some embodiments, as will be discussed further below, the beverage machine 100 may include a brew chamber fluid system 500. The brew chamber fluid system 500 may be configured to control the flow of water throughout the brew chamber 200 to perform various aspects of the brew operation.

[0062] Once the brew chamber 200 is in the closed configuration, the beverage tablet 400 may be pre- wet. Pre-wetting the beverage tablet allows for the coating 404 of the beverage tablet 400 to soften, allowing the coating 404 to be pierced and stretched without cracking or fracturing.

[0063] To pre- wet the tablet, water is introduced into the brew chamber 200. In some embodiments, water is introduced into the brew chamber 200 through inlet puncture needles 232. In other embodiments, water is introduced into the brew chamber 200 via a different inlet. In some embodiments, sidewalls 210 include a vent 246 disposed in an upper portion of the sidewalls 210, where the vent is configured to be opened while water is being introduced into the brew chamber 200. Such a vent 246 may allow ambient air in the brew chamber 200 to escape the brew chamber, allowing liquid to flow into the brew chamber. The beverage tablet 400 is then soaked for a suitable amount of time. In some embodiments, the suitable amount of time is 1-5 seconds. The water is then at least partially drained from the brew chamber via a drain 248 disposed in a lower portion of the sidewalls 210. In some embodiments, the drain leads to a disposal unit. In some embodiments, as discussed further below, water is introduced into the brew chamber 200 and drained from the brew chamber 200 via the brew chamber fluid system 500.

[0064] Once the beverage tablet is prewet, the plunger 212 is configured to move towards the beverage tablet. This causes first and second crush plates 206 and 207 to exert a compressive force on the beverage tablet 400 and causes the beverage tablet 400 to deform,as seen in FIG 7. In some embodiments, the vent 246 and drain 248 are open during deformation of the beverage tablet 400 in order to allow any remaining water from prewetting to exit the brew chamber 200.

[0065] In some embodiments, hydraulic pressure may be used to push the plunger 212. Water may be pumped into a hydraulic chamber 226 between plunger head 214 and hydraulic wall 228. The water expands the size of the hydraulic chamber 226 by pushing the plunger 212 towards the beverage tablet 400. In some embodiments, as discussed further below, brew chamber fluid system 500 may be configured to supply water to the hydraulic chamber 226. However, it is contemplated that any suitable mechanism may be used to push the plunger, such as a motor.

[0066] In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet 400 deforms, the beverage tablet diameter / width increases for at least a portion of the tablet, reducing gap G between the outer perimeter of the beverage tablet and the inner perimeter of the sidewalls 210. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet deforms, the first end 406 conforms to the shape of first crush plate 206 and / or the second end 408 conforms to the shape of the second crush plate 207, sealing the beverage tablet against the first crush plate 206 and / or the second crush plate 207. More details regarding the crush plates 206 and 207 will be discussed further below.

[0067] The inlet piercing needles 232 are coupled to move with the plunger head 214, and are aligned with openings 213 (see FIG. 16) in the second crush plate 207. In some embodiments, initially, as seen in FIGS. 1-6, the inlet piercing needles 232 do not pass through the openings in the second crush plate 207, as the springs 230 bias the plunger head 214 away from the second crush plate 207. Thus, in some embodiments, prior to deformation of the beverage tablet, the inlet piercing needles 232 are not exposed in the brew chamber and do not make contact with the beverage tablet. Instead, the inlet piercing needles 232 are positioned behind the second crush plate 207. As the beverage tablet 400 deforms, the force exerted by the plunger 212 is sufficient to compress springs 230 between second crush plate 207 and the plunger head 214. This causes the plunger head 214 to move towards the second crush plate 207 as the beverage tablet 400 is deformed, exposing inlet piercing needles 232. In alternative embodiments, inlet piercing needles 323 may be always disposed above the surface of second crush plate 207. More details regarding the inlet piercing needles will be discussed further below.

[0068] Inlet piercing needles 232 then fully pierce the coating 404 at the second end 406 and enter body 402 of the beverage tablet 400. In some embodiments, inlet piercing needles 232 are hollow needles fluidly connected to the upstream fluid system 300. In some embodiments, outlet piercing needles 234 may partially pierce the beverage tablet 400 when the beverage tablet 400 is deformed.

[0069] In some embodiments, water is then introduced into the beverage tablet 400 through the inlet piercing needles 232. This allows the water to contact the beverage material inside of the beverage tablet and form a beverage. This also causes the beverage tablet 400 to expand as water is pushed into the beverage tablet, as seen in FIG. 8. The beverage tablet expands until the first end contacts the outlet piercing needles 234. The outlet piercing needles 234 then pierce the beverage tablet, allowing the beverage to exit the brew chamber 200 via brew chamber outlet 222, and flow along dispensing flow path 106 to exit the housing 108. In some embodiments, as discussed further below, water is introduced into the beverage tablet 400 via the brew chamber fluid system 500.

[0070] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 8, as the beverage tablet 400 expands, a portion of first end 406 expands into a recess 252 of the first crush plate 206, conforming to the shape of the first crush plate 206. The portion of first end 406 may therefore have a smaller diameter than the portion of the beverage tablet 400 which does not expand into the recess 252. As seen in FIG. 9, which shows the ejected beverage tablet after brewing, the resulting beverage tablet may have a stepped down portion 405 having a smaller diameter than the rest of the body 407. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to include blocker plate 236 configured to selectively cover the outlet piercing needles 234. Such a blocker plate may reduce the likelihood of a piercing injury to the user as they load the beverage tablet into the beverage machine (as seen in FIG. 2). Also, in some embodiments, such a blocker plate may increase backpressure in the beverage tablet 400 during a brew operation, as pressure in the beverage tablet 400 must reach a pressure sufficient to push the blocker plate 236 and expose the outlet piercing needles 234. The blocker plate may include springs 238 configured to bias the blocker plate in an expanded configuration, where the blocker plate 236 covers the outlet piercing needles 234. As the beverage tablet 400 expands, springs 238 are compressed and the blocker plate 236 is pushed towards a compressed configuration, exposing the outletpiercing needles 234. More details about the outlet piercing needles 234 will be discussed below.

[0071] As seen in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to automatically eject the beverage tablet 400 from the brew chamber 200 once a brew operation is complete without any interaction from the user. For instance, in embodiments where lid 102 is linked to the brew chamber 200, as discussed above, it may be desirable to eject the beverage tablet 400 from the brew chamber 200 without requiring actuation of the lid back to the open position. Therefore, hydraulic chamber 226 may be drained (as discussed further below) and the second brew chamber section 204 may be disengaged from a linkage connecting the second brew chamber section 204 with the rest of the brew chamber 200 and / or lid 102. In some embodiments, a solenoid is used to disconnect the second brew chamber section. The second brew chamber section 204 may then be moved towards the retracted position, e.g. via a biasing spring. As the section brew chamber section is retracted, the compressive force on the beverage tablet is removed and an opening 240 is exposed below the brew chamber 200. As mentioned above, grippers 220 may be in a locked position until the brew chamber 200 is moved towards the open position, so the grippers 220 may not re-grasp the beverage tablet 400. Springs 238 may then push the blocker plate 236 towards the expanded configuration, pushing the beverage tablet 400 off of the outlet piercing needles 234 and away from the first brew chamber section and towards the opening 240. Alternatively, or in addition, springs 230 may push the second crush plate 207 to an expanded configuration, pushing the beverage tablet off of the inlet piercing needles 232 and away from the second brew chamber section and towards the opening. The beverage tablet 400 then falls through opening 240 into a disposal unit 250. In some embodiments, the disposal unit is the same unit where water drains from the brew chamber during the pre- wetting operation and / or from the void after the brew operation is completed.

[0072] Once the rest of brew chamber 200 is moved back to the open configuration, e.g. by moving the lid 102 from the closed position to the open position, second brew chamber section 204 may be reconnected with the linkage, allowing the brew chamber to be reset for another brew operation.Sensor System for Tablet Size Detection

[0073] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, beverage tablet 400 may be scalable along a height H and beverage machine 100 may be configured to form a beverage with beverage tablets 400 having different heights. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to control the upstream fluid system 300 to deliver water to the brew chamber fluid system 500 with different flow parameters (e.g. volume, pressure, etc.) and / or to control the brew chamber fluid system 500 to deliver water along different flow paths depending on the height of the beverage tablet 400 inserted. It may therefore be desirable for the beverage machine 100 to be configured to recognize which beverage tablet is placed in the beverage machine in order to control the upstream fluid system 300 and / brew chamber fluid system 500 accordingly.

[0074] While the imaging device 104 may be configured to recognize beverage tablet height, it may nevertheless be desirable to have an additional sensor system 241 configured to measure beverage tablet height to function as a backup (e.g. if the indicia on the beverage tablet is removed or not read by the imaging device), or to function as a 2-step verification of the beverage tablet height. FIG. 7 shows the sensor system 241 detecting a shorter beverage tablet, and FIG. 10 shows the sensor system 241 detecting a taller beverage tablet.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second brew chamber section 204 may include a microswitch 242 and a trigger 244. One of the microswitch 242 or the trigger 244 may be disposed on sidewalls 210 or some other portion of the second brew chamber section 204, and the other of the microswitch 242 or trigger 244 may be disposed on the plunger 212. As the beverage tablet 400 is deformed, trigger 244, which in the embodiment of FIG. 7 is coupled to the plunger 212 to move with the plunger, moves towards the microswitch 242. If a shorter beverage tablet 400 is in the brew chamber, as in FIG. 7, the trigger 244 will contact and trigger the microswitch, which will send a signal to a controller 301 indicating that a shorter beverage tablet is in the beverage machine 100. If a taller beverage tablet 400 is in the brew chamber, as in FIG. 10, the trigger 244 will not trigger the microswitch, and the controller 301 will then interpret receiving no signal from the microswitch 242 as detecting the presence of a taller beverage tablet 400. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the sensor system 241 may be configured such that the microswitch 242 is triggered by a taller beverage tablet, and not triggered by a smaller beverage tablet.

[0076] While the above microswitch and trigger system may only distinguish between two different beverage tablet heights, it may be desirable to detect more than two heights. Therefore, in some embodiments, the microswitch 242 may be replaced by a different sensor, such as a potentiometer. The potentiometer may be linked to the plunger 212, such that the plunger 212 may adjust the electrical resistance of the potentiometer depending on the position of the plunger 212. This change in resistance may then be interpreted as a position by the controller.

[0077] Of course, any suitable mechanism for detecting the position of the plunger 212 may be used. For instance, if a motor is used to drive the plunger 212 against the beverage tablet 400, motor position may be monitored to determine plunger position. Alternatively, the volume of water entering the hydraulic chamber 226 may be monitored (e.g. by measuring pump revolutions of a pump 312 of the upstream fluid system 300). Alternatively, a hall effect sensor, or any other suitable position sensing system may be used, as the present disclosure is not so limited.Upstream Fluid System

[0078] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an upstream fluid system 300 of a beverage machine in an illustrative embodiment. As mentioned above, beverage machine 100 may include an upstream fluid system 300 located upstream of brew chamber 200. Upstream fluid system 300 may be configured to condition and deliver liquid from liquid supply 302 to the brew chamber fluid system 500, which may then deliver liquid to various components of the brew chamber 200. The upstream fluid system 300 may include, for example, a liquid supply, a liquid heater, pumps, and valves, to name a few components. The beverage machine 100 may include a controller 301 configured to receive a user’s input from a user interface 110 and control the upstream fluid system 300 to deliver liquid to the brew chamber fluid system 500 with the desired brew parameters (e.g., temperature, volume, flow rate, etc.). Controller 301 may also be used to control various controllable valves (e.g. solenoid valves, electric ball valves, etc.) in the brew chamber fluid system 500 in order to direct fluid flow along various flow paths, as discussed further below.

[0079] The upstream fluid system 300 may include a liquid supply 302, such as a cold-water tank. In general, the liquid supply may include a reservoir configured to holdliquid. The water level of the cold-water tank may be monitored by a sensor 304. If the sensor 304 detects that there is insufficient water in the cold-water tank, the sensor may send a signal to a user interface 110 to alert a user. Water from the cold-water tank may pass through a filter 308 and a check valve 310 before being pumped by a pump 312 into a hot water tank 314. The water may be heated within the hot water tank 314 (e.g., via a heating element inside the hot water tank 314), and / or may be heated while traveling along the pathway to the hot water tank 314 (e.g., via an in-line heater). An air pump 322 may be connected to the hot water tank 314 to introduce air into the hot water tank 314 for delivery of hot water to the brew chamber, and for purging the hot water tank and brew chamber fluid system of water and / or beverage. The beverage machine may include a pressure release valve 316 that may be connected to a pressure transducer 318 that monitors pressure levels. In the case that the pressure transducer determines that pressure levels are too high, the pressure release valve may reduce the pressure levels through a vent 320. In some embodiments, the vent 320 is passive, and not controllable. In embodiments in which the vent is controllable, the vent may be directly connected to the hot water tank.

[0080] While the above embodiments of upstream fluid system 300 disclose pump 312 as delivering water to hot water tank 314, and separate air pump 322 moving water from the hot water tank 314 and though brew chamber fluid system 500, it is contemplated that a single pump may move water through the entire upstream fluid system 300 and through the brew chamber fluid system 500. It should be understood that the upstream fluid system 300 disclosed in embodiments above is only exemplary, and that any upstream fluid system configured to condition and / or deliver liquid and / or air to a brew chamber may be used.

[0081] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to deliver unheated water to the brew chamber fluid system 500, e.g. to pre-wet the beverage tablet or to operate the hydraulic system. The upstream fluid system 300 may include a bypass valve 324 between pump 312 and hot water tank 314. In some embodiments, the bypass valve 324 may be controlled by the controller. In other embodiments, the bypass valve 324 may be passive. In some embodiments, the upstream fluid system 300 may not include bypass valve 324, and heated water is used to pre- wet the beverage tablet and / or operate the hydraulic system.

[0082] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to detect the beverage tablet height H using sensor system 241. In some embodiments, the controller may controlthe upstream fluid system to deliver water to the brew chamber fluid system 500 with parameters (e.g. pressure, volume, etc.) and / or control the brew chamber fluid system to deliver water along different flow paths based on the detected height. In some embodiments, the controller may present various options to a user (e.g. beverage volume options) based on the detected height H.

[0083] The beverage machine 100 may include a user interface 110 to allow a user to control the beverage machine. A user interface may include one or more of the following: a display, one or more buttons, and one or more indicator lights. The user may provide commands to the beverage machine through the user interface 110 by, for example, pressing a button or touching a touch screen. The beverage machine may activate a beverage forming cycle, or may perform various other functions in response to the commands from the user. For example, a beverage having a first set of brew parameters (e.g. temperature, volume, strength, etc.) may be formed by the beverage machine 100 in response to a user inputting a first set of commands via the user interface, while a beverage having a second set of brew parameters may be formed by the beverage machine 100 in response to a user inputting a second set of commands via the user interface. Information may be communicated to the user through a display or indicator lights of the user interface.

[0084] It should be understood that a user interface may include any number or combination of the above-mentioned components, or any other appropriate components. In some embodiments, a user interface may include only a single touch screen that both receives commands from a user and communicates information to the user. In other embodiments, a user interface may include multiple buttons and multiple indicator lights. A user interface may include knobs, scroll wheels, mechanical switches, microphones, touch sensors, light sensors, or any other suitable components configured to receive input from a user. Additionally, a user interface may include displays, lights, speakers, haptic devices, or any other suitable components configured to provide information to a user.Brew chamber Fluid System

[0085] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the beverage machine may have a brew chamber fluid system configured to receive water from the upstream fluid system and control the flow of the water to various components of the brew chamber 200 to performvarious steps for forming the beverage (e.g. pre-wetting the beverage tablet, compressing and deforming the beverage tablet, delivering water into the beverage tablet to form the beverage, and dispensing the beverage out of the dispensing outlet.) FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment of a brew chamber 200 with inlets and outlets configured to link the brew chamber 200 to the brew chamber fluid system 500. FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation of the brew chamber fluid system 500. It should be understood that the brew chamber configuration shown in FIGS. 12-14 and described herein may be incorporated into the previously described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11. It should also be understood that features of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11 may be incorporated into the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14. For example, the rotating brew chamber section arrangement and / or grippers described in FIGS. 1-11 may be used in the FIGS. 12-14 arrangement.

[0086] Pump 312 and / or air pump 322 may be configured to deliver water from the upstream fluid system 300 to the brew chamber fluid system 500. In some embodiments, the brew chamber fluid system may then split into a plurality of flow paths.

[0087] In some embodiments, the brew chamber fluid system may include a pre-wet flow path 501. Pre-wet flow path 501 may be fluidly connected to brew chamber inlet 512, and may be configured to deliver water into the brew chamber 200 during pre- wetting of the beverage tablet 400. The pre- wet flow path 501 may include a pre-wet valve 502. The prewet valve 502 may be a controllable valve, such as a solenoid valve or an electric ball valve. When pre- wet valve 502 is closed, liquid is prevented from flowing to brew chamber inlet 512. When pre- wet valve 502 is open, liquid is permitted to flow to brew chamber inlet 512.

[0088] In some embodiments, the brew chamber fluid system may include an inlet needle flow path 503. The inlet needle flow path 503 may be fluidly connected to needle inlet 518, and may be configured to deliver water through the inlet needles and into the beverage tablet during formation of the beverage. Inlet needle flow path 503 may include inlet needle valve 504. In some embodiments, inlet needle valve is a controllable valve. In some embodiments, inlet needle valve is a passive valve with a preset cracking pressure. Inlet needle valve may have a higher cracking pressure than pre-wet valve 502 when pre- wet valve 502 is open. In some embodiments, inlet needle valve 504 has a cracking pressure between 50 psi and 100 psi, although any suitable cracking pressure is contemplated.

[0089] In some embodiments, pre- wet flow path 501 may fluidly connect a portion of the inlet needle flow path 503 upstream of the inlet needle valve 504 with a portion of the inlet needle flow path 503 downstream of the inlet needle valve 504. In this way, pre-wet flow path may act as a bypass of inlet needle check valve 504, with pre- wet valve 502 permitting or preventing bypass of inlet needle valve 504. In these embodiments, water may be delivered through the inlet needles 232 in order to pre- wet the beverage tablet.

[0090] In some embodiments, the brew chamber fluid system may include a hydraulic chamber flow path 505. The hydraulic chamber flow path 505 may be fluidly connected to hydraulic chamber inlet 516, and may be configured to deliver liquid to the hydraulic chamber to compress and deform the beverage tablet. Hydraulic flow path 505 may include hydraulic chamber valve 506. In some embodiments, the hydraulic chamber valve is a controllable valve. In some embodiments, the hydraulic chamber valve is a passive valve with a preset cracking pressure. The hydraulic chamber valve 506 may have a higher cracking pressure than pre-wet valve 502, but a lower cracking pressure than inlet needle valve 504. In some embodiments, hydraulic chamber valve 506 has a cracking pressure of between 15 psi and 35 psi, although any suitable cracking pressure is contemplated.

[0091] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and discussed below, the brew chamber fluid system may include all three of the pre-wet flow path, inlet needle flow path, and hydraulic chamber flow path. However, in other embodiments, a pre- wet flow path is not included, and only an inlet needle flow path and hydraulic chamber flow path is included. In yet other embodiments, a hydraulic chamber flow path is not included, and only a pre- wet flow path and an inlet needle flow path is included.

[0092] When liquid is initially delivered to the brew chamber fluid system 500 from the upstream fluid system 300, liquid may flow along all three flow paths 501, 503, and 505 until the liquid reaches valves 502, 504, and 506. During the pre-wetting phase, pre-wet valve 502 is opened. Liquid therefore flows along the pre- wet flow path 501, through pre-wet inlet 512, and into the brew chamber 200. In some embodiments, liquid may be delivered to brew chamber 200 in a steady flow. In some embodiments, the liquid is delivered to the brew chamber in a series of pulses. In some embodiments, 1-3 pulses are used to deliver the liquid to the brew chamber 200. In some embodiments, delivering liquid to the brew chamber 200during pre- wetting may cause the liquid to mix with ambient air in the brew chamber, compressing the ambient air and increasing the internal pressure in the brew chamber. During or after pre- wetting is completed, pre-wet valve 502 is closed to prevent liquid from continuing to flow through prewet flow path 501. In some embodiments, once pre- wetting is complete, the beverage machine may have a chamber drain valve 507 that is then opened to allow the liquid in the brew chamber to drain into disposal unit 250. In some embodiments, chamber drain valve 507 is a passive valve with a cracking pressure above ambient pressure when the chamber drain valve is open, such that liquid in the brew chamber 200 must be above ambient pressure in order to flow through chamber drain valve when the chamber drain valve is open.

[0093] Once pre-wet valve 502 is closed, pressure in the flow paths 501, 503, and 505 upstream of valves 502, 504, and 506 builds up until pressure in the hydraulic chamber flow path 505 reaches the cracking pressure of the hydraulic chamber valve 506 and opens the hydraulic chamber valve, allowing water to flow into hydraulic chamber 226 through hydraulic chamber inlet 516. Alternatively, in some embodiments, hydraulic chamber valve 506 is a controllable valve, and is opened once the pre-wet operation is completed. In some embodiments, water mixes with ambient air in the hydraulic chamber, forming an air / water mix in the hydraulic chamber. As seen in FIGs. 12-13, as liquid flows into hydraulic chamber 226, the plunger 212 is pushed against the beverage tablet 400. Pressure buildup in the hydraulic chamber causes the plunger 212 to continue to move towards the beverage tablet, compressing and deforming the beverage tablet and piercing the beverage tablet with inlet piercing needles 232.

[0094] During compression and deformation, pressure in the hydraulic chamber 226, and thus in the flow paths 501, 503, and 505 continues to increase until the pressure in the inlet needle flow path 503 is high enough to reach the cracking pressure of the inlet needle valve 504 and open the inlet needle valve. Alternatively, inlet needle valve may be a controllable valve that is controlled by the controller 301 to open when the beverage tablet 400 is sufficiently deformed. To introduce the liquid to the beverage tablet, water flows towards needle inlet 518, through the inlet piercing needles 232, and into the beverage tablet 400.

[0095] As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-10, as liquid flows into the beverage tablet, the beverage tablet expands towards the outlet piercing needles 234, allowing the outlet piercing needles to pierce the beverage tablet and to allow the beverage to exit the beverage tablet.

[0096] In some embodiments, as the beverage exits the beverage tablet through the outlet piercing needles 234, the beverage tablet loses mass due to beverage material exiting the beverage tablet as part of the formed beverage. This allows plunger 212 to move further towards the first crush plate 206, increasing the size of the hydraulic chamber 226 and lowering the pressure in the hydraulic chamber 226. In some embodiments, if the pressure in the hydraulic chamber decreases below the cracking pressure of the inlet needle valve 504, the inlet needle valve closes and water flows into the hydraulic chamber 226 through hydraulic chamber flow path 505 until pressure is again above the inlet needle valve cracking pressure, at which point water resumes flowing through the inlet needle flow path 503.

[0097] Once a brew operation is completed, hydraulic chamber drain valve 524 may be opened to allow water to drain from the hydraulic chamber 226. In some embodiments, hydraulic chamber drain valve is a controllable drain valve. In some embodiments, the water drains from the hydraulic chamber into disposal unit 250.

[0098] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to include a variable brew pressure system downstream of the brew chamber 200 to allow for brewing beverages at different brew pressures. Such a configuration may be desirable to allow for brewing of different styles of beverages which require different brew pressures. For instance, it may be desirable to brew at a higher brew pressure to allow for the formation of crema when brewing an espresso, and it may be desirable to brew with a lower brew pressure when brewing a drip coffee beverage.

[0099] In some embodiments, it may therefore be desirable for the brew chamber 200 to include a high pressure outlet flow path 520 and a low pressure outlet flow path 522. High pressure outlet flow path may include a high-pressure valve 508, such as a passive check valve with a cracking pressure sufficient to allow for the formation of crema. Low pressure flow path may include a low pressure valve 510. Low pressure valve 510 may be controllable by the controller 301. If a low pressure brew is desired, the low pressure valve 510 may be opened. Beverage may then flow along the low pressure flow path to the dispensing flow path 106 and out the dispensing outlet. If a high pressure brew is desired, the low pressure valve510 may be closed. This causes pressure to increase upstream of the high pressure check valve during a brew operation until a sufficient pressure is reached to open high pressure check valve 508, allowing the beverage to flow along the high pressure flow path to the dispensing flow path 106 and out the dispensing outlet.

[0100] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to deliver air along the brew chamber fluid system 500 to purge the brew chamber of water during various stages of a brew operation. For instance, it may be desirable to purge the brew chamber of water after the pre- wet operation by delivering a quantity of air through the pre- wet inlet 512. It may also be desirable to deliver a quantity of air through the hydraulic chamber inlet 516 to purge the hydraulic chamber of liquid after a brew operation is complete. It may also be desirable to deliver a quantity of air through the needle inlet 518, beverage tablet 400, high and / or low pressure outlet flow paths, and dispensing flow path, to purge any remaining liquid and / or beverage from these components after a brew operation is complete. The upstream flow fluid system 300 may therefore include an air pump configured to pump air through the brew chamber fluid system 500. In some embodiments, this air pump may be air pump 322 discussed above. In some embodiments, this air pump may be a separate air pump from air pump 322 discussed above.Crush Plates

[0101] As discussed above, the beverage machine 100 may include first and second crush plates 206 and 207. FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a portion of the brew chamber with first crush plate 206 according to an embodiment. As discussed above, first crush plate 206 may comprise an annular surface 296, with outlet needles 234 having distal tip ends that are disposed at a depth that is below that of the annular surface 296 of the first crush plate 206. Such a configuration may prevent or limit an amount of piercing of the beverage tablet 400 by the outlet piercing needles 234 prior to expansion of the beverage tablet during a brewing process. As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 7-9, first crush plate 206 may include a recess 252 into which a first end 406 of the beverage tablet 400 expands during a brew operation, causing the first end 406 to conform to the annular shape of the first crush plate 206.

[0102] FIGS. 16 and 17 show a perspective and cross-sectional side view, respectively, of a portion of brew chamber 200 with second crush plate 207 according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, second crush plate 207 may include a rippled surface having a plurality of ripples 209. Such a rippled surface may allow for more complete and / or more even fracturing of the body 402 of the beverage tablet when the beverage tablet 400 is deformed. The rippled surface may extend radially from a central region 291 of the second crush plate. In some embodiments, each ripple 209 may be tapered, such that the width W of the ripple 209 is narrower near central region 291 of the second crush plate, and wider near edge 256 of the second crush plate. As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-10, the second crush plate may include openings 213 configured to align with inlet piercing needles 232. In some embodiments, as discussed above, inlet piercing needles 232 always protrude from second crush plate 207. In some embodiments, as discussed above, inlet piercing needles 232 selectively protrude from second crush plate 207. In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 17, the second crush plate 207 may be tapered, such that a central region 255 of the crush plate protrudes further than the edges 256 of the crush plate. As seen in FIG. 17, the central region 255 is noncoplanar with the edges 256 of the crush plate along the same diameter. Such a configuration may allow for more complete and / or more even fracturing of body 402. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet 400 is deformed, the second end 408 of the beverage tablet is configured to conform to the rippled surface and / or taper of second crush plate 207.Needle Configuration

[0103] As discussed above, the beverage machine 100 may include inlet piercing needles 232 configured to introduce liquid into the beverage tablet 400, and outlet piercing needles 234 may be configured to allow water to exit the beverage tablet 400.

[0104] FIG. 18A shows a front view of inlet piercing needles 232, and FIG. 18B shows a front view of outlet piercing needles 234, with an overlay of inlet piercing needle locations 233 shown in dashed lines. FIG. 19 shows a cross section side view of a portion of brew chamber 200.

[0105] In some embodiments, it may be desirable for brew chamber 200 to include a different number of inlet piercing needles as compared to the number of outlet piercingneedles. In some embodiments, brew chamber 200 includes nine inlet piercing needles. In some embodiments, brew chamber 200 includes eighteen outlet piercing needles. However, any number or combination of numbers of inlet piercing needles and outlet piercing needles is contemplated. In some embodiments, inlet piercing needles may be arranged as a single central needle 254 with a ring of needles 260 surrounding the central needle. In some embodiments, the outlet piercing needles has a first ring of needles 262, and a second ring of needles 264 surrounding the first ring of needles 262. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet 400 expands, the first ring of needles 262 pierces the beverage tablet 400 before the second ring of needles 264.

[0106] In some embodiments, it may be desirable for inlet piercing needles 232 to be misaligned with outlet piercing needles 234. Such a configuration may limit or prevent liquid from flowing directly through the beverage tablet 400 from the inlet piercing needles to the outlet piercing needles in a straight path, and may instead encourage the liquid to take a tortuous path through the beverage tablet. This may help to increase extraction of the beverage material from the beverage tablet. Therefore, as seen in FIGS 18B and 19, inlet piercing needles 232 may be misaligned with outlet piercing needles 234, such that no inlet needle piercing location 233 is aligned with an outlet piercing needle. Put differently, as seen in FIG. 19, the inlet and outlet needles may be misaligned such that no straight line may extend between a tip of any inlet needle and a tip of any outlet needle which is parallel to sidewalls 210 of brew chamber 200. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 19, the inlet and outlet needles may be misaligned such that no straight line may extend between a tip of any inlet needle and a tip of any outlet needle which is parallel to a line 268 extending from center 266 of the first crush plate 206 to center 258 of the second crush plate 207.

[0107] In some embodiments, the inlet piercing needles may have a different diameter than the outlet piercing needles. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the inlet piercing needles 232 may have a larger diameter D2 than a diameter DI of the outlet piercing needles 234.

[0108] While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A beverage machine comprising: a liquid supply configured to provide a liquid for forming a beverage; a chamber configured to hold a beverage tablet having a beverage material for combining with liquid from the liquid supply to form a beverage, wherein the beverage tablet comprises a body of compressed beverage material; a crush plate comprising an annular surface; one or more inlet needles; and one or more outlet needles disposed below the annular surface of the crush plate; wherein the crush plate is configured to compress and deform the beverage tablet; wherein the one or more inlet needles are configured to pierce the beverage tablet to allow for introduction of liquid from the liquid supply into the beverage tablet to expand the tablet; and wherein the one or more outlet needles are configured to pierce the beverage tablet as the beverage tablet expands to allow the beverage to exit the beverage tablet.

2. The beverage machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more outlet needles includes a first ring of outlet needles, and a second ring of outlet needles disposed around the first ring of outlet needles.

3. The beverage machine of claim 2, wherein the first ring of outlet needles is configured to pierce the beverage tablet before the second ring of outlet needles pierce the beverage tablet.

4. The beverage machine of claim 1, further comprising a blocker plate configured to selectively cover the one or more outlet needles.

5. The beverage machine of claim 4, wherein the blocker plate is configured to push the beverage tablet off of the one or more outlet needles after the beverage is formed.

6. The beverage machine of claim 1, wherein a portion of the beverage tablet is configured to expand into a recess between the annular surface.

7. The beverage machine of claim 6, wherein the portion of the beverage tablet configured to expand into the recess between the annular surface comprises a smaller diameter than a portion of the beverage tablet which does not expand into the recess between the annular surface.

8. The beverage machine of claim 1, wherein the crush plate comprises a first crush plate, and the beverage machine further comprises a second crush plate disposed adjacent to the one or more inlet needles, wherein the first and second crush plates are configured to compress and deform the beverage tablet between the first and second crush plates.

9. A method of forming a beverage, the method comprising: compressing and deforming a beverage tablet with an annular surface of a crush plate; piercing the beverage tablet with one or more inlet needles; introducing a volume of liquid from a liquid supply into the beverage tablet through the one or more inlet needles, wherein introducing the volume of liquid into the beverage tablet causes the beverage tablet to expand; and piercing the beverage tablet with one or more outlet needles disposed below the annular surface of the crush plate to allow the beverage to exit the beverage tablet.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more outlet needles includes a first ring of outlet needles, and a second ring of outlet needles disposed around the first ring of outlet needles.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising piercing the beverage tablet with the first ring of outlet needles before piercing the beverage tablet with the second ring of outlet needles.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising covering the one or more outlet needles with a blocker plate prior to piercing the beverage tablet with the one or more outlet needles.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising pushing the beverage tablet off of the one or more outlet needles with the blocker plate after the beverage is formed from the beverage tablet.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising expanding the beverage tablet into a recess below the annular surface where the one or more outlet needles are disposed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a portion of the beverage tablet expands into the recess, and a portion of the beverage tablet does not expand into the recess, wherein the portion of the beverage tablet which expands into the recess comprises a smaller diameter than the portion of the beverage tablet which does not expand into the recess.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein piercing the beverage tablet with the one or more inlet needles occurs prior to piercing the beverage tablet with the one or more outlet needles.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the crush plate comprises a first crush plate, and wherein the step of compressing and deforming the beverage tablet comprises compressing and deforming the beverage tablet between the annular surface of the first crush plate and a second crush plate.