Beverage extraction system and related methods

Abstract

A beverage extraction system including a container and a beverage extraction device. The container includes a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage raw material. The body portion may be flexible so as to be able to expand from an initial volume to a maximum volume when not obstructed during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device supports the container and includes an expansion limiter that limits the expansion of the container during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device can operate in a first mode in which the expansion limiter does not obstruct the container and the container can expand from an initial state to a maximum expansion state during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device can operate in a second mode in which the expansion limiter obstructs the container and prevents the container from expanding to the maximum expansion state during beverage sales.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 346,196, filed May 26, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] There are various forms for extracting (brewing) coffee and other beverages at home. Conventional extraction methods include a style where a filter is set in a machine basket and ground coffee is placed thereon. Thereafter, the machine drips hot water onto the ground coffee on the filter, and the coffee beverage passes through the filter and enters a pot or cup placed below. There are machines that accept capsules containing beverage ingredients, and the machine pierces the capsule and introduces water therein, mixes with the beverage ingredients, and extracts the beverage. And there are machines that accept sachet-type packages containing beverage raw materials, and the machine introduces water into the interior of the beverage raw material container, mixes with the beverage raw materials, and extracts the beverage. In conventional extraction methods, the amount of liquid used can be selected to correspond to the amount of ground coffee placed by the user on the filter. However, in capsule-type or sachet-type machines, since the amount of beverage ingredients contained in the capsule / sachet is predetermined, a certain amount of liquid must be used to obtain a stable flavor and color.

[0003] However, machines for extracting coffee and other beverages are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It may be possible for the user to control the amount of extracted coffee / beverage used so that the final beverage product is not too strong, too weak, or otherwise have an undesirable flavor profile. Therefore, there is a need for a machine that can accept current capsule / sachet type packages while controlling and / or adjusting the total dissolved solids depending on the type or size of the beverage sold and / or based on the amount of beverage ingredients contained in the package.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is directed to a beverage extraction system including a beverage ingredient container and a beverage extraction device. The beverage ingredient container may include a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage ingredient. The body portion may be flexible so that it can expand from an initial volume to a maximum volume when not obstructed during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device may include an expansion limiter that supports the beverage ingredient container and can limit the expansion of the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device may operate in a first mode in which the expansion limiter does not obstruct the beverage ingredient container and the beverage ingredient container expands from an initial state to a maximum expansion state during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device may operate in a second mode in which the expansion limiter obstructs the beverage ingredient container and prevents the beverage ingredient container from expanding to a maximum expansion state during beverage sales. The present invention is also directed to a method for extracting a beverage using a similar technique.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention is a beverage extraction system comprising: a beverage ingredient container having a body portion defining a cavity for containing a beverage ingredient, the body portion of the beverage ingredient container being flexible such that when the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is unobstructed, the volume of the cavity is configured to expand from an initial volume to a maximum volume during beverage sales when liquid is introduced into the cavity; and a beverage extraction device comprising a support member configured to support the beverage ingredient container, and an expansion limiter comprising a first wall and a second wall at least partially spaced apart from each other by a gap, the beverage ingredient container being positioned within the gap when supported by the support member during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device is operable in a first mode in which the first wall and the second wall are spaced apart by a first maximum distance sufficient to expand the volume of the cavity of the beverage ingredient container to the maximum volume during beverage sales, and a second mode in which the first wall and the second wall are spaced apart by a second maximum distance that prevents the volume of the cavity of the beverage ingredient container from expanding to the maximum volume during beverage sales, the second maximum distance being less than the first maximum distance, the beverage extraction system being operable to sell a beverage.

[0006] The first wall of the expansion limiter may be disposed adjacent to the front face of the beverage ingredient container, and the second wall of the expansion limiter may be disposed adjacent to the rear face of the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales. In each of the first and second modes, at the start of beverage sales while the cavity of the beverage ingredient container is at the initial volume, the first wall may be spaced apart from the front face of the beverage ingredient container and the second wall may be spaced apart from the rear face of the beverage ingredient container.

[0007] When the beverage raw material container is located in the gap before the start of beverage sales, the minimum distance between the first and second walls of the expansion limiter in the first mode and the beverage raw material container can be 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more specifically 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, or 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less. When the beverage raw material container is located in the gap before the start of beverage sales, the minimum distance between the first and second walls of the expansion limiter in the second mode and the beverage raw material container can be 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less, or 13 mm or more and 18 mm or less.

[0008] The first wall and the second wall of the expansion limiter may not be in contact with the beverage raw material container at the start of beverage sales in either the first mode or the second mode.

[0009] In the first mode, the liquid may be introduced into the cavity at the first pressure, and in the second mode, the liquid may be introduced into the cavity at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. The first pressure can be about 50 kPa (0.5 bar), and the second pressure can be up to 150 kPa (1.5 bar).

[0010] The first wall is fixed, and the second wall may be movable toward and away from the first wall to adjust the spacing distance between the first wall and the second wall in response to the user's selection of the first mode or the second mode of beverage sales.

[0011] The beverage extraction machine can include a door that can be changed between an open state in which the beverage raw material container is inserted into the gap between the first wall and the second wall of the expansion limiter and the nozzle can engage with the support member, and a closed state. The first wall may be attached to the door or form part of the door.

[0012] Each of the first and second walls of the expansion limiter may be formed of a rigid non-flexible material. The inner surfaces of the first and second walls facing the beverage raw material container may be hard.

[0013] Each of the first and second walls may include a front face facing the gap, and the front faces of the first and second walls may include recesses facing the beverage ingredient container when the beverage ingredient container is located in the gap. The front faces of the first and second walls may include protrusions facing the beverage ingredient container. The front faces of the first wall and the second wall can include both recesses and protrusions.

[0014] At the start of beverage sales, the expansion limiter may not sandwich the beverage ingredient container between the first and second walls.

[0015] The expansion limiter can define a chamber that opens along its opposing sides when the beverage extraction device is selling beverages in either the first or second mode.

[0016] The first and second walls of the expansion limiter may be completely separated from each other in both the first and second modes such that no part of the first wall contacts the second wall and vice versa.

[0017] In the first mode, when the volume of the beverage ingredient container expands to its maximum volume, the first and second walls may not contact the beverage ingredient container. In the second mode, when the volume of the beverage ingredient container reaches an intermediate volume smaller than the maximum volume, the first and second walls may contact the beverage ingredient container to prevent the volume of the beverage ingredient container from expanding further.

[0018] The cavity of the beverage ingredient container may include a cavity axis. The first and second maximum distances may be measured in a direction perpendicular to the cavity axis.

[0019] The first wall and the second wall may be in a fixed relative position at the start of beverage sales in either the first or second mode.

[0020] The beverage ingredient container may include a nozzle having an inlet for receiving a liquid and introducing the liquid into the cavity of the main body portion during beverage sales. The support member is configured to support the beverage ingredient container by the nozzle such that the main body portion of the beverage ingredient container hangs freely from the support member.

[0021] The first and second walls of the expansion limiter are spaced apart from the beverage ingredient container at the start of beverage sales when in either the first or second mode, and can expand during beverage sales until the volume of the cavity of the beverage ingredient container reaches its maximum volume or until prevented by the first and second walls of the expansion limiter.

[0022] The beverage extraction device may further include a control system and a user interface. The control system may be operably coupled to the expansion limiter and the user interface. When the user selects the first mode on the user interface, the control system may be configured to move at least one of the first and second walls of the expansion limiter such that the first and second walls are spaced apart by the first maximum distance. When the user selects the second mode on the user interface, the control system may be configured to move at least one of the first and second walls of the expansion limiter such that the first and second walls are spaced apart by the second maximum distance.

[0023] In another aspect, the present invention is a beverage ingredient container including a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage ingredient, wherein when the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is not obstructed during beverage sales, the body portion is flexible such that the cavity expands from an initial state in which the cavity has a first volume to a maximum expanded state in which the cavity has a second volume greater than the first volume; a support member configured to support the beverage ingredient container without obstructing the expansion of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales; and a beverage extraction device having an expansion limiter. The beverage brewing system includes a beverage brewing system, wherein during beverage sales, the body portion of the beverage ingredient container expands from the initial state to an intermediate expanded state in which the cavity has a third volume smaller than the second volume, and the expansion limiter prevents the body portion of the beverage ingredient container from expanding beyond the intermediate expanded state.

[0024] The expansion limiter may be configured to at least partially surround the body portion of the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales.

[0025] The expansion limiter may include a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from each other. At least a portion of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container may be located between the first wall and the second wall during beverage sales.

[0026] The first wall and the second wall of the expansion limiter may not be in compressive contact with the body portion of the beverage ingredient container at the start of beverage sales.

[0027] During sales, the body portion of the beverage ingredient container may expand to an intermediate expanded state, at which point the first and second walls of the expansion limiter contact the body portion of the beverage ingredient container and prevent further expansion of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container.

[0028] The main body portion of the beverage ingredient container is composed of a front wall, a rear wall, and a peripheral portion, and the front wall and the rear wall may be adhered along the peripheral portion. The expansion of the body portion may occur in the direction between the front wall and the rear wall. The first wall and the second wall of the expansion limiter may face the front wall and the rear wall of the main body portion of the beverage ingredient container, respectively.

[0029] The beverage extraction device may be configured to perform beverage sales in a first mode or a second mode based on a user's selection. When the user selects the first mode, the expansion limiter is positioned relative to the beverage ingredient container so as not to prevent the expansion of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container, allowing the beverage ingredient container to expand to a maximum expansion state during beverage sales. When the user selects the second mode, the expansion limiter may be arranged to prevent the expansion of the main body portion of the beverage ingredient container such that the beverage ingredient container expands to an intermediate expansion state and does not expand further due to contact between the expansion limiter and the main body portion of the beverage ingredient container.

[0030] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for extracting a beverage in a beverage extraction device, the method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of extraction modes for beverage sales; inserting a beverage ingredient container into the beverage extraction device, the beverage ingredient container including a main body portion having a cavity for containing a beverage ingredient; introducing a liquid from the beverage extraction device into the cavity of the beverage ingredient container during the beverage sales, the liquid mixing with the beverage ingredient in the cavity of the beverage ingredient container to form a beverage, and the beverage exiting from an outlet at the lower end of the beverage ingredient container; wherein when a first mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the main body portion of the beverage ingredient container expands from an initial state to a maximum expansion state during the beverage sales, and when a second mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the main body portion of the beverage ingredient container is prevented from expanding to the maximum expansion state during the beverage sales.

[0031] When the second mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the beverage ingredient container may expand from an initial state to an intermediate state during the sale of the beverage.

[0032] When the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is in the initial state, the cavity of the beverage ingredient container has a first volume. When the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is in the maximum expansion state, the cavity of the beverage ingredient container has a second volume. When the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is in the intermediate expansion state, the cavity of the beverage ingredient container has a third volume. The third volume may be larger than the first volume, and the second volume may be larger than the third volume.

[0033] When the first mode is selected from a plurality of modes, the expansion limiter of the beverage extraction device may be in a first position that does not prevent the expansion of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container from the initial state to the maximum expansion state during beverage sales. When the second mode is selected from a plurality of modes, the expansion limiter of the beverage extraction device is in a second position that prevents the expansion of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container, and may prevent the body portion of the beverage ingredient container from expanding to the maximum expansion state during beverage sales.

[0034] The expansion limiter may not be in contact with the beverage ingredient container at the start of beverage sales in either the first mode or the second mode. The beverage ingredient container may expand so as to come into contact with the expansion limiter in the second mode when the body portion of the beverage ingredient container expands to the intermediate expansion state. The expansion limiter may prevent the expansion of the beverage ingredient container beyond the intermediate expansion state.

[0035] When the first mode is selected from a plurality of modes, the beverage ingredient container may expand to the maximum expansion state without contacting the expansion limiter.

[0036] The expansion limiter may include a first wall and a second wall that are separated by a first distance when the first mode is selected and separated by a second distance when the second mode is selected, and the first distance is larger than the second distance.

[0037] At least one of the first and second walls may move toward the other of the first and second walls when the second mode is selected. At least one of the first and second walls may move away from the other of the first and second walls when the first mode is selected.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides: a step of injecting water into a cup containing dairy products through an injection nozzle of a beverage extraction device to form milk foam; a step of inserting a beverage raw material container into the beverage extraction device, the beverage raw material container comprising a main body portion having a cavity for containing a beverage raw material; performing beverage sales including introducing a liquid into the cavity of the beverage raw material container through an extraction nozzle of the beverage extraction device, the liquid mixing with the beverage raw material in the cavity of the beverage raw material container to form a beverage, the beverage exiting through an outlet of the beverage raw material container and mixing with the milk foam in the cup to form a final beverage product; and a beverage extraction method, wherein during beverage sales, expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is prevented in order to increase the extraction concentration of the beverage components in the beverage.

[0039] Expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container may be prevented by an expansion limiter comprising a first wall and a second wall disposed on opposite sides of the beverage raw material container, preventing the beverage raw material container from expanding to a maximum expansion state during beverage sales. The beverage raw material container may not be compressed by the expansion limiter before the start of beverage sales. The first wall and the second wall of the expansion limiter may not be in contact with the beverage raw material container at the start of beverage sales. During beverage sales, the beverage component container may expand and contact the first and second walls of the expansion limiter. The first wall and the second wall of the expansion limiter can prevent the beverage raw material container from reaching the maximum expansion state.

[0040] During beverage sales, the body portion of the beverage ingredient container may expand from an initial state in which the cavity of the beverage ingredient container has a first volume to an intermediate inflated state in which the cavity of the beverage ingredient container has a second volume that is greater than the first volume, and the second volume is less than a third volume associated with the beverage ingredient container in a maximum inflated state.

[0041] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a beverage ingredient container comprising a body portion defining a cavity for containing a beverage ingredient, wherein the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is flexible such that when the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is not obstructed during beverage sales, the body portion expands from an initial state to a maximum inflated state; a support member configured to support the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales; and an expansion limiter comprising a first wall and a second wall disposed adjacent to opposing surfaces of the beverage ingredient container. Before the start of beverage sales, at least one of the first and second walls is spaced apart from the beverage ingredient container, and during beverage sales, the beverage ingredient container expands and contacts each of the first wall and the second wall, and the first wall and the second wall prevent the beverage ingredient container from expanding to the maximum inflated state. It may be a beverage extraction system.

[0042] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a support member configured to support a beverage ingredient container during beverage sales; and an expansion limiter comprising a first wall and a second wall configured to be disposed adjacent to opposing major surfaces of the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales. The beverage extraction device is operable to extract a beverage in a first mode in which the first wall and the second wall are separated by a first maximum distance and in a second mode in which the first wall and the second wall are separated by a second maximum distance, and the second maximum distance is less than the first maximum distance. It may be a beverage device.

[0043] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a beverage extraction system comprising a beverage ingredient container including a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage ingredient; a support member configured to support the beverage ingredient container during beverage sales; and an expansion limiter, wherein prior to the start of beverage sales, the beverage ingredient container is configured to be supported by the support member such that at least a portion of an outer surface of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is spaced apart from the expansion limiter, and during beverage sales, the volume of the cavity of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is configured to expand until a portion of the outer surface of the body portion of the beverage ingredient container contacts the expansion limiter to prevent further expansion of the volume of the cavity.

[0044] Further applicable areas of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Figure 3A

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Figure 3B

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Figure 4

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Figure 5

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Figure 7A

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Figure 7B

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Figure 8A

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Figure 8B

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Figure 9

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Figure 10A-B

[0059]

Figure 10C-D

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0060] The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

[0061] The description of exemplary embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered to be a part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, references to directions or orientations are for the sake of convenience of description only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms such as "down", "up", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation being described at that point in time or the orientation shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly so indicated. Terms such as "attached", "affiliated", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected", etc. refer to a relationship in which structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other through intervening structures, and both movable and rigid attachments or relationships, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, the features and advantages of the present invention are described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention should not be explicitly limited to such exemplary embodiments that illustrate some non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in combination with other features, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 1, a beverage extraction device 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The beverage extraction device 200 includes a housing 201 that houses various fluid flows and electronic components of the beverage dispensing device 200, some of which are described below with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 9. The housing 201 may be formed from plastic or other rigid material and may be designed in any desired aesthetic, shape, and design. Although some specific features of the beverage extraction device 200 are described herein, it will be understood that other features and components necessary for the operation of the device will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0063] The housing 201 of the beverage extraction device 200 can include a water tank that stores or otherwise holds water used during the operation of the beverage extraction device 200 to extract a beverage during beverage sales inside the housing 201. In other embodiments, the beverage extraction device 200 may not include such a water tank, and in such embodiments, the beverage extraction device 200 may be directly connected to a main water supply. In still other embodiments, the beverage extraction device 200 may be fluidly coupled to a water tank or water supply source disposed outside the housing 201.

[0064] As used herein, beverage sales refer to the operation of the beverage extraction device 200 in which the beverage extraction device 200 is used to extract or generate a beverage. Specifically, beverage sales represent the operation of the beverage extraction device 200 in which water from a water tank (or any other water source including a main water supply) is introduced into a beverage raw material container held by the beverage extraction device 200. The liquid introduced into the beverage raw material container is mixed with the beverage raw material and then discharged as a beverage (such as coffee, tea, etc.) from the discharge port of the beverage raw material container. The beverage exiting the beverage raw material container may enter a cup disposed below the beverage raw material container. Additional liquid and / or water may be directly injected from the beverage extraction device 200 into the cup without passing through the beverage raw material container. Such beverage sales will be described in more detail below with particular reference to FIG. 9.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the water tank located within the housing 201 may be accessible via a lid 202 positioned at the upper end 203 of the housing 201. Specifically, the lid 202 is movable (pivotable, slidable, etc.) from a closed state to an open state, and can expose an inlet 205 through which a liquid such as water can be introduced into the water tank. However, since this inlet 205 is internally disposed within the housing 201, it cannot be seen in FIG. 1. Thus, the user pours water into the inlet 205, and the water flows into the water tank from the inlet 105 and is stored until it is needed for beverage extraction. In some embodiments, the lid 202 may be omitted and the inlet 205 may always be exposed. However, by providing the lid 202, entry of unwanted substances and dust into the water tank can be prevented. As described above, the water tank may, in some embodiments, be a separate tank disposed adjacent to the housing 201, and in such embodiments, the inlet 205 may be omitted. Also, when using a main water supply source instead of the water tank, the inlet 105 can also be omitted.

[0066] The beverage extraction device 200 may also include a container compartment in which a beverage ingredient container containing beverage ingredients can be disposed during beverage sales. The housing 201 may include a door 204 that can be changed between a closed state as shown in FIG. 1 and an open state as shown in FIG. 4. The door 204 may be manually opened by the user in response to a user selection on the beverage extraction device 200, or may be automatically opened by the beverage extraction device 200. When the user selects a beverage to extract, the door 204 may be opened so that the user can insert the beverage ingredient container into the container compartment. Thereafter, the user may close the door 204 (or the door 204 may be automatically closed), and a beverage sale may occur in which a liquid such as water stored in the water tank is introduced into the beverage ingredient container for the purpose of forming a beverage. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredient container may be a single-use beverage ingredient container.

[0067] The beverage extraction device 200 may also include a cup holder station 208 where a user can place a cup during beverage sales. Specifically, the liquid introduced into the beverage ingredient container may exit the beverage ingredient container through the outlet and be introduced into the user's cup or other container type placed at the cup holder station 208. The cup holder station 208 may form a drip tray, and such a cup holder station 208 may include a grid that forms a support surface for supporting a cup or other container for receiving the beverage from the beverage extraction device 200. The cup holder station 208 may include a tray portion disposed below the grid for receiving spills passing through the grid. The beverage extraction device 200 may include various nozzles, conduits, tubes, valves, etc. to facilitate its operation, some of which will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

[0068] The beverage extraction device 200 may further include a small container 206 located below the container compartment for receiving the used beverage ingredient container (i.e., sachet, capsule, etc.). The beverage extraction device 200 may include a mechanism and assembly configured to automatically move the beverage ingredient container from the compartment to the small container 206 after the beverage sales cycle. The small container 206 can be disposed within a cavity formed in the housing 201 of the beverage brewing device 200. The small container 206 may be disposed within a cavity formed in the housing 201 of the beverage extraction device 200. The small container 206 is removable from the housing 201, and the used beverage ingredient containers collected therein may be periodically discarded by the user, operator, or administrator into a waste small container or trash can. Thus, in some embodiments, the small container 206 may be a slidable drawer that is slidably inserted into and removed from the housing 201.

[0069] The beverage extraction device 200 may further include a user interface 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 210 includes a display screen 211 and a plurality of selection buttons 212. The display screen 211 may be a touch screen in some embodiments, and in such embodiments, the selection buttons 212 may be omitted (although they may also be included). The display screen 211 may display information related to beverage selection for the user, including selection of beverage type, size, strength, etc. The user can select beverage preparation parameters with the plurality of selection buttons 212. The user can control the functions and operations of the beverage extraction device 200 by interacting with and / or operating the functions on the display screen 211 and / or the selection buttons 212.

[0070] The appearance and design of the housing 201, as well as other features and components of the beverage extraction device 200, are not intended to limit the present invention, but are merely intended to illustrate such a machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the invention claimed herein is not limited by the shape, size, or other decorative or industrial design features of the beverage extraction device 200.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A, a beverage ingredient container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this specification, the beverage ingredient container 100 and the beverage extraction device 200 may be collectively referred to as a beverage extraction system. This is because the beverage extraction device 200 is configured to receive one of the beverage ingredient containers 100 and extract or otherwise produce a beverage using the beverage ingredients contained in the beverage ingredient container 100. Therefore, in some embodiments, the present invention may be directed to a beverage extraction system including a beverage brewing device 200 and one or more beverage ingredient containers 100.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage ingredient container 100 may be in the form of a sachet. Thus, the beverage ingredient container 100 may include a body portion 160 that includes a front sheet 110 and a back or rear sheet 112 that are adhered to each other. The front and back sheets 110, 112 may be formed from a sheet material that is impermeable to liquids and air. Further, the front and back sheets 110, 112 may be formed from a flexible material so that the front and back sheets 110, 112 can be folded, bent, or otherwise handled. The sheet or flexible film material may be a laminate composed of two or more of the following layers. A thermoplastic sealant layer for adhering the sheet to other members of the package, a substantially gas-impermeable barrier layer, such as a metal film like an aluminum film or a gas barrier polymer like polyvinyl alcohol (PvOH), an adhesive layer for improving the adhesiveness between the other layers of the laminate, for example, a structural layer that provides puncture resistance, and / or a printed substrate layer. The structural layer may be made of polyolefin, polyester, nylon, or other polymers as is well known in the art. In one embodiment, the sheet material is a laminate comprising a layer of polypropylene and a layer of polyvinyl alcohol (PvOH). The sheet material may include a transparent region to provide visibility of the contents of the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0073] The front and back sheets 110, 112 may be permanently adhered around their side edges 116 and along at least a portion of their upper edges 114 to form the beverage ingredient container 100. The front and back sheets 110, 112 may be adhered along the bottom edge 120 of the container. In some embodiments, the bond or at least a portion of the bond between the front and back sheets 110, 112 along the bottom edge 120 may be released under the influence of heat or pressure within the beverage ingredient container 100. For example, the adhesion at the bottom edge 120 may be by a pressure-sensitive adhesive such that when liquid is introduced into the interior of the beverage ingredient container 100, the adhesion between the front and back sheets 110, 112 along the bottom edge 120 or a portion thereof is released and the beverage is discharged from the cavity of the beverage ingredient container 100 into a cup disposed below. The permanent joints along the side surfaces 116 and the upper surface 114 may be formed by adhesives, heat welding, or other techniques. The inner surfaces of the front and back sheets 110, 112 can define the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0074] The beverage ingredient container 100 may also include a nozzle 140 coupled to the front and back sheets 110, 112 along the upper edge 114. The nozzle 140 may include a tubular bore 142 extending therethrough from its exposed upper surface 143 to its lower end 144. There may be a seal member 147 disposed along the upper surface 143 of the nozzle 140 to seal the beverage ingredient container 100 prior to use. The seal member 147 may be perforated by either the user or the beverage extraction device 200 either before or during beverage sales. The seal member 147 may be formed integrally with the nozzle 140 (e.g., from plastic), or the seal member 147 may be a separate sheet such as one formed from paper, foam, aluminum, etc., which covers the exposed upper surface 143 (or at least the inlet opening disposed therealong) of the nozzle 140.

[0075] The lower end 114 of the nozzle 140 may be disposed within the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100 or in fluid communication with the cavity 115. Thus, the liquid introduced at the upper surface 143 into the inlet of the tubular bore 142 flows through the tubular bore 142 into the cavity 115. The nozzle 140 may include a flange 145 that aids in correctly positioning the beverage ingredient container 100 within the beverage extraction device 200. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredient container 100 may be supported within the beverage extraction device 200 by engagement of a support member of the beverage extraction device 200 with the flange 145 of the nozzle 140, and the beverage ingredient container 100 may hang freely downward from the support member. The tubular bore 142 of the nozzle 140 can be sealed (such as by a seal member 147) prior to use to maintain the airtight freshness of the beverage ingredient container 100. The beverage extraction device 200 may include a mechanism for opening the nozzle 140, such as by piercing, so that a liquid such as water is introduced through the tubular bore 142 of the nozzle 140 into the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0076] The beverage ingredient container 100 may include a filter 130 disposed within the cavity 115. The filter 130 may be adhered to the inner walls or inner surfaces of the front and rear sheets 110, 112, respectively. The filter 130 may extend across the cavity 115 and form a support surface on which the beverage ingredient 150 is disposed. That is, the beverage ingredient container 100 contains a certain amount of beverage ingredient 150 therein, and the beverage ingredient 150 may rest on the filter 130 that is higher than the floor of the cavity 115. The filter 130 may be configured in a W-shape as shown in FIG. 3A, or may take other shapes within the cavity 115 before introducing liquid into the cavity 115. The filter 130 may be a plastic or other non-porous material sheet having perforations small enough to allow liquid to pass therethrough while preventing the beverage ingredient 150 from passing therethrough. Alternatively, the filter material 130 may be a porous material such as filter paper that impedes the beverage ingredient 150 from passing therethrough but allows the liquid to pass therethrough.

[0077] The beverage ingredient 150 may be an injectable beverage ingredient such as, but not limited to, ground coffee or loose tea. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredient container 100 may contain from 2 grams to about 25 grams of ground coffee, more specifically, from about 2 grams to about 12 grams of ground coffee.

[0078] As schematically shown in FIG. 3B, when liquid (i.e., hot water) is introduced through the nozzle hole 142, the beverage ingredient 150 contained in the container 100 is mixed with the liquid, and the beverage is extracted by brewing the solid content of the beverage ingredient 150 into the liquid. The bottom seam 120 of the container 100 may open under the influence of heat and hydraulic pressure within the beverage ingredient container 100 to define a beverage discharge point or outlet for the cavity 115. The beverage passes through the filter 130 and through the opening at the lower end of the beverage ingredient container 100. Thereafter, the beverage may be collected in a cup or other container disposed below, such as a cup disposed at the cup holder station 208 depicted in FIG. 1.

[0079] Further, as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when liquid is introduced into the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100 during beverage sales, the volume of the cavity 115 increases to accommodate the liquid. FIGS. 3A and 3B show this volume increase in a potentially exaggerated form. Nevertheless, the important point is that when liquid is introduced into the cavity 115, the front and back sheets 110, 112 expand to accommodate the liquid, increasing the volume of the cavity 115. Since the front and back sheets 110, 112 are permanently adhered along the sides 116, the beverage ingredient container 100 does not expand in the direction of the sides 116. Rather, the beverage ingredient container 100 expands in the direction between the front and back sheets 110, 112. In other words, the cavity 115 has a cavity axis A-A. When liquid is introduced into the cavity 115, the cavity 115 expands in the direction of an axis B-B perpendicular to the cavity axis A-A and the major surfaces (i.e., the inner and outer surfaces) of the front and back sheets 110, 112.

[0080] As the volume of the cavity 115 increases, the depth of the bed of the beverage ingredient 150 decreases as the beverage ingredient 150 spreads along the increased volume of the cavity 115. Thus, as the volume of the cavity 115 increases and the depth of the bed of the beverage ingredient 150 decreases, the liquid passes through the beverage ingredient 150 less before exiting the beverage ingredient container 100. Therefore, the greater the increase in the volume of the cavity 115 and the shallower the depth of the bed of the beverage ingredient 150, the less squeezing of solids from the beverage ingredient (all other factors such as the pressure of the liquid introduced into the beverage ingredient container 100 being equal). Thus, by controlling the expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100 and the volume of the cavity 115, the squeezing of solids from the beverage ingredient 150, and thus the strength of the extracted beverage relative to the same amount of liquid, can be controlled.

[0081] In some embodiments, the cavity 115 can have an initial volume of 15 ml to 25 ml, more specifically 18 ml to 22 ml, more specifically 20 ml to 21 ml, more specifically about 20.5 ml when the beverage ingredient container 100 is in an initial non-expanded state, as shown in FIG. 3A. That is, before introducing liquid into the cavity 115, the volume of the cavity 115 may be within the range defined for the initial volume. Since the beverage ingredient container 100 may be sealed before use, in some embodiments, the volume of the cavity 115 may not be adjusted before use (before releasing the seal of the beverage ingredient container 100, such as by making a hole in the nozzle).

[0082] In some embodiments, the cavity 115 can have a maximum volume between 50 ml and 100 ml, more specifically between 60 ml and 90 ml, more specifically between 65 ml and 80 ml, more specifically between 70 ml and 75 ml, more specifically between 73 ml and 74 ml, more specifically about 73.2 ml in a fully expanded state, as shown in FIG. 3B. That is, at the maximum expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100, its volume may be within the range defined for the maximum volume. In some embodiments, the ratio of the expanded volume to the non-expanded volume (i.e., the initial volume) may be between 3:1 and 4:1.

[0083] During beverage sales, the volume of the cavity 115 is configured to expand from the initial volume (Figure 3A) to the maximum expansion volume (Figure 3B) as long as the beverage raw material container 100, or its main body portion 160, is not obstructed during beverage sales. The maximum expansion state is the maximum expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage raw material container 100. Thus, the front and rear sheets 110, 112 do not separate along one side of the connection, or no opening penetrating the main body portion 160 of the beverage raw material container 100 is formed, and it is the volume of the cavity 115 that the beverage raw material container 100 can achieve. If the beverage raw material container 100, or its main body portion 160, is obstructed during beverage sales, the beverage raw material container 100 may be prevented from reaching the maximum volume or the maximum expansion state. This may be a desirable result for beverage sales, as described herein.

[0084] During beverage sales, the liquid introduced into the cavity 115 dissolves or extracts a part of the beverage raw material 150 disposed in the cavity 115 to form the final beverage provided to the user for consumption. There may be situations where it is desirable to use the beverage raw material container 100 and the beverage extraction device 200 (which, as pointed out herein, collectively form a beverage extraction system) to produce a stronger or more concentrated beverage. By preventing the beverage raw material container 100 from reaching the maximum expansion state, the bed of the beverage raw material 150 becomes deeper, and the liquid / water needs to pass through more of the beverage raw material 150 before exiting the cavity 150. As a result, the concentration of the extracted or dissolved solids in the beverage may increase, and / or a larger beverage volume may be obtained without dilution, and / or a beverage may be made with a smaller gram weight of raw materials.

[0085] By restricting the expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 (and thus also restricting the expansion or increase in the volume of the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100), an increase in the extraction of the beverage ingredient 150 can be facilitated. This helps to deliver a higher volume of beverage without increasing the amount or gram weight of the beverage ingredient 150 within the cavity 150, helps to deliver a stronger beverage as measured by total dissolved solids, and can help enable more efficient use of the beverage ingredient by achieving a desired flavor profile with a lower gram weight of the beverage ingredient 150, etc.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the engagement between the beverage extraction apparatus 200 and the beverage ingredient container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In some embodiments, the user can select specific beverage parameters using the user interface 210 by way of any one of an interaction with the display screen 211, an interaction with the selection button 212, or a combination of both. When the user selects a beverage or beverage parameters, in some embodiments, the door 204 may be automatically changed from a closed state as shown in FIG. 1 to an open state as shown in FIG. 4. Next, the user may slide the beverage ingredient container 100 into the slot 216 formed between the door 204 and the housing 201 of the beverage extraction apparatus 200.

[0087] As best shown in FIG. 5, the beverage extraction device 200 may include a support member 214 disposed along the upper portion of the slot 216. The support member 214 may include a pair of arms 215 spaced apart by a gap 217 sized and configured to receive the neck portion of the nozzle 140 of the beverage ingredient container 100. That is, the neck portion of the nozzle 140 is slid into the gap 217 between the pair of arms 215 of the support member 214, and the flange 145 of the nozzle 140 rests on the ledge 216 of the pair of arms 215. Thereby, the beverage ingredient container 100 is supported within the slot 216 by the engagement of the support member 214 of the beverage extraction device 200 and the nozzle 140 of the beverage ingredient container 100. In some embodiments, the support member 214 may support the beverage ingredient container 100 by the nozzle 140 such that the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 can hang freely from the support member 214. When the beverage ingredient container 100 is supported by the support member 214, the door 204 is closed manually or automatically by the user.

[0088] One embodiment is provided to illustrate the manner in which the beverage extraction device 200 supports the beverage ingredient container 100 during beverage sales, but the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. The beverage ingredient container 100 may be supported within the beverage extraction device 200 in other ways, such as by placing the beverage ingredient container 100 within a dedicated compartment within the beverage extraction device 200. In certain embodiments, the beverage ingredient container 100 may be supported within the beverage extraction device 200 such that the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 does not prevent the expansion as described hereinabove in at least some operating modes of the beverage extraction device 200.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VI of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This cross-section is partial in that it does not extend to the rear of the beverage extraction device 200, but instead focuses only on regions important in the context of the invention described herein. In FIG. 6, the door 204 is visible, along with additional features related to the storage of the beverage ingredient container 100 within the beverage extraction device 200 during beverage sales. The beverage ingredient container 100 is not depicted in FIG. 6, but is depicted in FIGS. 7A - 8B below with a similar line of sight. The beverage ingredient container 100 may be disposed within the beverage extraction device 200 such that the front face of the beverage ingredient container 100 faces outward (i.e., toward the user or the front of the machine), or such that the edge of the beverage ingredient container 100 faces outward (i.e., toward the user or the front of the machine).

[0090] The beverage extraction device 200 may include an expansion limiter 300 that can be operable to limit the expansion of the beverage raw material container 100 in some operating modes of the beverage extraction device 200. The expansion limiter 300 may be disposed within the area of the slot 216 so as to engage with the beverage raw material container 100 in some operating modes of the beverage extraction device 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion limiter 300 includes a first wall 310 and a second wall 320 that are spaced apart by a gap to define a chamber 305 in which the beverage raw material container 100 can be disposed during beverage sales. However, in the embodiments of the present invention described herein, the chamber 305 may not be a completely sealed space or cavity. Rather, the chamber 305 is simply a space defined between the first wall 310 and the second wall 320 of the expansion limiter 300. In certain embodiments, the chamber 305 may be open along the top, bottom, and / or sides. In other embodiments, the chamber 305 may be closed along one or all of the top, bottom, and sides. Thus, the chamber 305 can be a completely sealed chamber, a partially sealed chamber, or an open-sided (i.e., along its entire perimeter) chamber. In such embodiments, the beverage raw material container 100 is configured to fit within the chamber 305 during beverage sales. In FIG. 6, it can be seen that the chamber 305 is open along both of its sides. The chamber 305 may also be open at its top and bottom, as depicted in FIG. 9 described below.

[0091] In some embodiments, the expansion limiter 300 or a part thereof may be removable from the housing 201. In certain embodiments, the first wall 310 of the expansion limiter 300 may be removable, in certain embodiments, the second wall 320 of the expansion limiter 300 may be removable, and in certain embodiments, both the first wall 310 and the second wall 320 may be removable. In other embodiments, the expansion limiter 300 (i.e., the first and second walls 310, 320) may not be removable from the housing 201.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall 310 is fixedly coupled to the door 204. Thus, when the door 204 rotates to open and close, the first wall 310 may rotate with the door 204. The present invention is not limited in this way in all embodiments, and in other embodiments, the first wall 310 may be fixed to other parts of the housing 201 instead of the door 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall 310 is immovable relative to the door 204. In other embodiments, the first wall 310 may be configured to move relative to the door 204 in a direction away from the second wall 320 for the purpose of changing the size of the chamber 305 defined by the expansion limiter 300. The first wall 310 has an inner surface 311 facing the chamber 305 and an outer surface 312 facing the door 204. The inner surface 311 of the first wall 310 is provided with a recess 313 configured to align with the beverage ingredient container 100 when the beverage ingredient container 100 is disposed in the chamber 305 during beverage sales.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the second wall 320 is configured to be movable relative to the first wall 310 in a direction toward the first wall 310 and in a direction away from the first wall 310 for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the size of the gap between the first wall 310 and the second wall 320. Of course, in other embodiments, the first wall 310 may be movable and the second wall 320 may be fixed and immovable. In still other embodiments, both the first and second walls 310, 320 may be configured to be movable toward and away from each other to adjust the size of the chamber 305. In the illustrated embodiment, the movement of the second wall 320 is achieved by a pin-slot joint. That is, there is a pin coupled to the second wall 320, and this pin is nested within a slot formed in a plate different from the second wall 320. In other embodiments, the second wall 320 may include a slot and the plate may include a pin. In either case, when the second wall 320 moves toward the first wall 310 and away from the first wall 310, the pin moves within the slot. In other embodiments, other movement mechanisms or engagement functions may be used. The beverage extraction device 200 may include a motor or other drive mechanism for controlling the movement of the second wall 320 relative to the first wall 310. A general drive mechanism 350 is illustrated in FIG. 6 in an operatively coupled state to the second wall 320 for controlling the movement of the second wall 320 toward and away from the first wall 310 as described herein.

[0094] The second wall 320 has an inner surface 321 facing the first wall 310 and an outer surface 322 facing in a direction away from the first wall 310. The inner surface 321 includes a recess 323, and the recess 323 is configured to be aligned with the recess 313 of the first wall 310 and the beverage raw material container 100 when the beverage raw material container 100 is disposed within the chamber 305 during beverage sales.

[0095] In FIG. 6, the first and second walls 310, 320 are spaced apart from each other such that no portion of the first and second walls 310, 320 contacts the other. As described herein, the beverage extraction device 200 can operate in one of a plurality of modes. In some embodiments, the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 may be completely separated from each other in some or all modes such that no portion of the first wall 310 contacts the second wall 320 and vice versa. However, when one of the first and second walls 310, 320 is moved towards the other, there is a possibility that the peripheral portions of the first and second walls 310, 320 contact each other while the central portions (including the concave portions 313, 323) remain separated from each other. Thus, in certain embodiments, even if a portion of the first and second walls 310, 320 are in contact with each other, the first and second walls 310, 320 will be at least partially separated from each other by a gap.

[0096] Each of the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 may be formed from a rigid, non-flexible material. Such rigid materials include rigid plastics, metals, or other materials having similar rigidity. In some embodiments, the first and second walls 310, 320 may be formed from a non-compressible material such that the first and second walls 310, 320 are not compressed in response to forces acting on the first and second walls 310, 320. The important point is that in some exemplary embodiments, the first and second walls 310, 320 are not formed and are not composed of a flexible or elastic material such as rubber, elastomer, foam, or the like. Thus, the inner surfaces 311, 321 of the first and second walls 310, 320 may be rigid, non-flexible, and non-compressible. In other embodiments, the first and second walls 310, 320 and / or their inner surfaces 311, 321 may comprise or be formed from a flexible or non-rigid or compressible material as long as the ability of the expansion limiter 300 to perform the functions described herein is not impaired.

[0097] As described above, the beverage extraction device 200 may be operable to sell beverages in a plurality of different modes. Specifically, a user can select from a plurality of modes using the user interface described herein. Possible operating modes include standard or normal sales and modified sales, and the modified sales are selected from any one of enhanced strength sales, increased volume sales, froth milk (milky foam) sales, etc. In standard or normal sales, a liquid such as water may be introduced into the beverage raw material container 100 at a pressure of about 0.05 MPa (0.5 bar) to 0.1 MPa (1.0 bar). In standard or normal sales, as described in more detail herein, the beverage raw material container 100 is allowed to expand to its maximum volume during beverage sales. This is a conventional type of sales where the expansion limiter 300 does not prevent the main body portion 160 of the beverage raw material container 100 from expanding to its maximum volume or maximum expansion state.

[0098] In one or more of the modified sales, the liquid may be introduced into the beverage ingredient container 100 at a pressure between 0.1 MPa (1.0 bar) and 0.15 MPa (1.5 bar), but the present invention is not limited to this in all embodiments, and the pressure may be the same as in normal sales in other embodiments. In modified sales, the expansion limiter 300 may inhibit the ability of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 to expand to the maximum expansion state. The expansion limiter 300 may allow the beverage ingredient container 100 to expand to an intermediate expansion state in which the cavity 115 has a volume greater than the initial volume but smaller than the maximum expansion volume. In other embodiments, the expansion limiter 300 may substantially prevent the expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100 in modified sales. Modified sales may be desirable for several purposes. For example, modified sales can make it possible to provide a larger volume of beverage while maintaining the same taste and / or beverage strength without increasing the gram weight of the beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container 100. Specifically, in modified sales, the bed of the beverage ingredients 150 in the beverage ingredient container 100 becomes deeper than in normal sales, so that the same amount of beverage ingredients is distributed over a smaller area and the extraction level is improved. Therefore, a larger volume of beverage can be sold without reducing the strength or changing the taste.

[0099] In another specific example, the beverage extraction device 200 can allow the user to use their own dairy products in the beverage. For example, the user can select the beverage to be extracted, and the machine may instruct the user to place a cup containing a specific amount (e.g., 85 g (3 ounces)) of milk selected by the user in the cup holder station 208. The milk may be cow's milk, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, rice milk, cashew milk, macadamia milk, hemp milk, quinoa milk, or other types of dairy or non-dairy products that are currently available or may be discovered later.

[0100] Thereafter, the beverage extraction device 200 can create milk foam by injecting a certain amount of water into the milk. The term "inject" means introducing water into the milk in a high-pressure stream, for example, at a pressure of about 0.1 - 0.15 MPa (1 - 1.5 bar), although it may be higher in other embodiments. Thus, the term "inject" may be at a pressure of 0.1 MPa (1 bar) or more. In one embodiment, 85 g (3 ounces) of additional water may be injected into 85 g (3 ounces) of milk. Finally, in such a beverage, 85 - 140 g (3 - 5 ounces) of coffee is poured into the cup. When the beverage raw material container 100 can be fully inflated, when 85 - 140 g (3 - 5 ounces) of coffee is mixed with the milk foam, a diluted low-concentration coffee beverage (final beverage product) is obtained. By restricting the inflation of the beverage raw material container 100 and increasing the depth of the beverage raw material 150 therein, the 85 - 140 g (3 - 5 ounces) of water introduced into the beverage raw material container 100 is added to the 85 g (3 ounces) of milk and 85 g (3 ounces) of water already in the cup, producing a stronger 85 g (3 ounces) of coffee product. Such a strong coffee product may be necessary to prevent the final beverage strength from significantly decreasing due to the dilution with milk and water used to create the milk foam in the first step. Such a strong coffee product may be necessary to prevent the final beverage strength from significantly decreasing due to the dilution with milk and water used to create the milk foam in the first step. Thus, by restricting the inflation of the beverage raw material container 100, the extraction concentration of the beverage raw material 150 can be increased during the short sale of 85 - 140 g (3 - 5 ounces). This concentrated coffee beverage then mixes with the water previously introduced into the cup as part of the process of foaming the milk, lowering the overall concentration to a palatable level while at the same time producing a coffee product with a higher extraction concentration than a product that did not.

[0101] In yet another embodiment, the beverage extraction device 200 may extract a small amount of high-strength beverage and then introduce ordinary water into the high-strength beverage to lower the strength to a more common value. Specifically, in the beverage ingredient container 100 constrained by the expansion limiter, a higher-strength beverage having a volume of about 170 g (6 ounces) can be extracted. Then, an additional 85 g (3 ounces) can be added to the extracted beverage to weaken the strength and produce a 255 g (9 ounces) beverage with a preferred taste. These techniques can also be used to produce a beverage having the same taste expected for a larger volume without increasing the volume of the beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a cross-section from FIG. 6 is shown with one of the beverage ingredient containers 100 within the chamber 305 of the expansion limiter 300 both before beverage sales (FIG. 7A) and during or after beverage sales (FIG. 7B). As described above, the beverage ingredient container 100 is disposed within the chamber 305 or gap that exists between the inner surfaces 311, 321 of the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300. The beverage ingredient container 100 is disposed such that the first wall 310 faces the front sheet 110 or front of the beverage ingredient container 100 and the second wall 320 faces the second sheet 112 on the back of the beverage ingredient container 100. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the arrangement of the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 when the beverage extraction device 200 is operating according to a first mode of operation (which may be a normal or standard sale as described herein). In the first mode, it is preferred that the beverage ingredient container 100 be able to reach a maximum expansion state during beverage sales and that the expansion limiter 300 does not prevent this expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first and second walls 310, 320 are spaced apart from each other by a first maximum distance D1.

[0103] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, at the start of beverage sales (or before water begins to be introduced into the cavity of the beverage raw material container 100), neither the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 are in contact with the beverage raw material container 100. In the illustrated embodiment, when the beverage extraction device 200 is operating according to the first mode, the minimum distance between either the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage raw material container 100 may be between 10 mm and 20 mm, or between 13 mm and 18 mm, although larger distances are possible depending on the embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, during or at the end of beverage sales, neither the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 are in contact with the beverage raw material container 100. In FIG. 7B, the beverage raw material container 100 is expanding in the direction between the front and rear walls 110, 112, but the beverage raw material container 100 is still spaced from the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300. Thus, the beverage raw material container 100 is permitted to expand from an initial state where the cavity has an initial volume to a maximum expansion state where the cavity has a maximum volume. In the first operating mode, the expansion limiter 300 does not prevent the expansion of the beverage raw material container 100 at any time during beverage sales. In this way, the volume of the cavity of the beverage raw material container is permitted to expand from the initial volume (about 20.5 ml, although the range is as above) to the maximum expansion volume (about 73 ml, although the range is as above) in the first mode.

[0104] Figures 8A and 8B show the positional relationship between the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 and the beverage ingredient container 100 when the beverage extraction device 100 is operating according to the second operating mode. In the second mode, it is desirable to prevent the beverage ingredient container 100 from expanding to its maximum expansion state, although some expansion may be tolerated. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the beverage extraction device 200 is operating according to the second operating mode, the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 are spaced apart from each other by a second maximum distance D2. The second maximum distance D2 is smaller than the first maximum distance D1 measured between the first and second walls 310, 320 when the beverage extraction device 200 is operating according to the first operating mode. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by moving the second wall 320 closer to the first wall 310, or by moving the first wall 310 closer to the second wall 320, or by moving both the first and second walls 310, 320 closer to each other.

[0105] When moving from the positions shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B to the positions shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in one embodiment, the second wall 320 moves closer to the first wall 310. There may be a second wall assembly 325 that includes the second wall 320 and one or more follower members 326 coupled to the second wall 320. The second wall 320 and the follower member 326 may be connected as part of an integral component. The follower member 326 may be disposed within a corresponding slot 341 of the support plate 340. Thus, when the second wall 320 moves, the follower member 326 moves within the slot 341 to maintain proper alignment between the second wall 320 and the first wall 310. Any type of motor and actuator, including a gear system, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc., may be coupled to the second wall 320 to facilitate its movement. These follower members 326, support plate 340, and slots 341 are shown in each of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B, although they are only labeled in FIG. 7B.

[0106] In the second operating mode, the first and second walls 310, 320 may not be in contact with the beverage ingredient container 100 at the start of beverage sales (FIG. 8A). Thus, the first and second walls 310, 320 are intended to limit the ability of the beverage ingredient container 100 to expand when the beverage extraction device 200 is operating according to the second operating mode, but the first and second walls 310, 320 need not contact and / or clamp the beverage ingredient container 100 within the chamber 305. This is considered beneficial in that no preload is required since the first and second walls 310, 320 need not be in contact with the beverage ingredient container 100 at the start of beverage sales. For this reason, the mechanical structure may be simplified compared to other such beverage machines. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the first and second walls 310, 320 may be in contact with the beverage ingredient container 100 at this initial stage in the second mode.

[0107] In some embodiments, some minimal contact may occur between one or both of the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100, but there is no strong contact, clamping, and compression acting on the beverage ingredient container 100. That is, the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 need not be in compressive contact with the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 at the start of beverage sales. This means that the first and second walls 310, 320 do not apply a compressive force to the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100, thereby allowing the beverage ingredient container 100 to expand somewhat (either to a maximum expanded state or to some intermediate expanded state) during beverage sales. Prior to the start of beverage sales, the beverage ingredient container 100 is not preloaded by the first and second walls 310, 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second walls 310, 320 may also not contact and / or need not contact the beverage ingredient container 100 along the coupling side surface 116. This allows for greater tolerances with respect to the precise positioning of the nozzle 140 in the manufacture of the beverage ingredient container 100 and also eliminates the preload requirements as described above.

[0108] In this second mode, at the start of beverage sales, the first and second walls 310, 320 may be spaced apart from the outermost surface of the beverage ingredient container 100 by a distance between 1 mm and 10 mm, more specifically between 3 mm and 8 mm, and more specifically between 4 mm and 7 mm. As described above, in the first mode this distance was in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm. Thus, it can be seen that in the second mode, compared to the first mode, there is much less space between the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100 for the beverage ingredient container 100 to expand during beverage sales. Further, this space between the first and second walls 310, 320 and the outer surface of the beverage ingredient container 100 may be minimal in the second mode in some embodiments. However, due to this space that exists at least in part due to the concave profiling of the inner surfaces 311, 321 of the first and second walls 310, 320, there is little or no preload between the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100 in the second mode at the start of beverage sales.

[0109] Figure 8B shows the situation during or at the end of beverage sales in the second mode. In particular, when liquid is introduced into the cavity of the beverage ingredient container 100, the beverage ingredient container 100 begins to expand. However, due to the arrangement / position of the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300, the beverage ingredient container 100 is prevented from reaching its maximum expansion state. Instead, when it reaches an intermediate expansion state, the beverage ingredient container 100 abuts against the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300, preventing further expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100. In the intermediate expansion state, the cavity of the beverage ingredient container 100 has a volume that is the same as or greater than the initial volume, but is smaller than the maximum volume that the cavity could reach if the expansion limiter 300 did not prevent expansion.

[0110] In FIG. 8B, mating surface contact is shown between the inner surfaces 311, 321 of the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 and the outer surfaces of the front and rear sheets 110, 112 of the beverage ingredient container 100. It can be easily seen that the expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100 in FIG. 8B is smaller than that in the case of FIG. 7B, and the beverage ingredient container 100 is prevented from reaching the maximum expansion state. When the beverage ingredient container 100 reaches the intermediate expansion state, the beverage ingredient container 100 is prevented from expanding further, and the extraction process continues while the beverage ingredient container 100 remains in the intermediate expansion state.

[0111] It should be understood that in each of the first and second modes, when beverage sales are started, the first and second walls 310, 320 may be in a fixed position. That is, after the start of beverage sales, the first and second walls 310, 320 may not move relative to each other. The only reason for the distance between the walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100 to decrease during beverage sales is due to the expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100, not due to the movement of the first and second walls 310, 320. The first wall and / or the second wall only move before beverage sales enter the appropriate position related to the mode selected by the user as described herein.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 9, a schematic flow diagram of a beverage extraction system 1000 including a beverage extraction device 200 and one of the beverage ingredient containers 100 is shown. The beverage extraction device 200 may include a water tank 245, a pump 246, a heater 247, a conduit 248 extending from the water tank 245 to the heater 247, an extraction conduit 249 extending from the heater 247 to the extraction nozzle 251, and an injection conduit 252 extending from the heater 247 to the injection nozzle 253. A first valve 254 is disposed along the extraction conduit 249, a second valve 255 is disposed along the ejection conduit 252, and the first and second valves 254, 255 may be opened and closed to allow and block the flow of water from the water tank 245 to the extraction nozzle 251 and the ejection nozzle 253, respectively.

[0113] The small container 206 is depicted with one of the used beverage ingredient containers 100 disposed therein. Further, the cup holder station 208, together with the cup 209 disposed thereon, is depicted below the ejection nozzle 253 loaded in the beverage extraction device 200 and the discharge port of the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0114] The beverage extraction device 200 includes a control system 250 operably coupled to a drive system 350 configured to move and coupled to a second wall 320 of an expansion limiter 300, as well as a user interface 210, a pump 246, first and second valves 254, 255. Thus, when a user selects a beverage or beverage parameter on the user interface 210, the beverage extraction device 200 can control the operations of valves, pumps, heaters, etc. to operate according to the selected mode. For example, when the first mode is selected, the control system 250 moves the second wall 320 relative to the first wall 310 to increase the distance between the first and second walls 310, 320 and prevent the expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100 during extraction. Next, the control system 250 opens the first valve 254, activates the pump 246, so that water is pumped from the water tank 245 to the extraction nozzle 251, enters the cavity of the beverage ingredient container 100, and exits through the bottom of the beverage ingredient container 100 into a cup disposed below.

[0115] When the second mode is selected, the control system 250 may (via the drive mechanism 350) bring the second wall 320 closer to the first wall 310 to decrease the distance between the first and second walls 310, 320 and prevent the expansion of the beverage ingredient container during extraction. Next, the control system may first open the second valve 255 so that water from the water tank 245 can be ejected from the injection nozzle 253 to foam the milk in the cup 209. Next, the control system 250 may close the second valve 255 and open the first valve 249 so that water flows from the water tank 245 through the extraction nozzle 251 into the beverage ingredient container 100 and then out from the bottom of the beverage ingredient container 100 into the cup 209 disposed below.

[0116] Figure 9 shows the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 in the position of the second mode where the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 are separated by the second maximum distance D2. When water is introduced into the cavity of the beverage ingredient container 100, the beverage ingredient container 100 expands until it contacts the first and second walls 310, 320, at which point the expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100 is prevented.

[0117] In this figure, it can be seen that the first and second walls 310, 320 are arranged in alignment with the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100. The first and second walls 310, 320 are elongated in the longitudinal axis direction of the beverage ingredient container 100, extending between the lower end and the upper end of the beverage ingredient container 100. The first and second walls 310, 320 do not contact at the upper or lower portions (similar to not contacting at the lateral sides as shown in the previous figure). Therefore, the first and second walls 310, 320 extend parallel to the beverage ingredient container 100, but the first and second walls 310, 320 do not form a sealed chamber in which the beverage ingredient container 100 is held. As described above, even in the second mode where the walls 310, 320 are closer, there may be no contact between the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100 at the start of beverage sales. The contact between the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100 at the start of beverage sales is minimal, and there is no preload or compressive force applied to the beverage ingredient container 100 by the first and / or second walls 310, 320 before the start of beverage sales and as a result of the expansion of the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0118] Continuing to refer to FIG. 9, the operation of the beverage extraction system 1000 (e.g., a method of extracting a beverage) will be described according to an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, in a first step, the user uses the user interface 210 of the beverage extraction device 200 to select one of a plurality of extraction modes for beverage sales. When the mode is selected, the first and second walls 310, 320 move to positions associated with the selected mode. That is, when the first mode is selected, the first and second walls 310, 320 move relative to each other so as to be separated by a distance D1. When the second mode is selected, the first and second walls 310, 320 move relative to each other so as to be spaced apart by a second distance D2. Next (or simultaneously with the movement of the first and second walls 310, 320), the door 104 of the beverage extraction device 200 may be opened to expose a slot in which the beverage raw material container 100 can be placed. With the door 104 open, the beverage raw material container 100 can be slid into the slot so that the nozzle 140 engages the support member 214. Next, the door 104 may be closed. Thereafter, the beverage raw material container 100 is supported in the slot by the support member 214, and the main body portion 160 of the beverage raw material container 100 hangs freely from the support member 214.

[0119] In one embodiment, the operation is performed as follows. First, the user uses the user interface 210 to select one of a plurality of extraction modes for beverage sales. When the mode is selected, the door 104 opens and the user inserts the beverage raw material container 100 into the machine. Next, the discharge nozzle of the machine is lowered into the nozzle of the beverage raw material container 100. At this point, the first and second walls 310, 320 may move to positions associated with the desired mode. The first and second walls 310, 320 may already be in that position, or it may be necessary to move one or both of the first and second walls 310, 320 to achieve that position. Next, a liquid is introduced into the beverage raw material container to sell the beverage. After this, the first and / or second walls 310, 320 may be moved away from the beverage raw material container 100, the dispensing nozzle may be removed from the nozzle, and the beverage raw material container 100 may be discharged from the machine.

[0120] In one embodiment, there is a metal shell that engages between the door 104 and the machine side, and can remove some of the extra load from the pack constraint. In particular, depending on the injection pressure of the liquid, an outward pressure of about 0.1 MPa (20 psi) (an outward pressure of 4.4 N (100 pounds) or more) may be applied to the beverage ingredient container 100. Thus, the first and / or second walls 310, 320, which can be formed from plastic, may be surrounded by or partially or completely covered by the metal shell to help withstand the pressure.

[0121] When the door 104 is closed, beverage sales are started. Specifically, the water in the water tank 245 may be pumped along the conduit 248 and the extraction conduit 249. Thereafter, the water passes through the nozzle 140 and enters the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100. The beverage ingredient container 100 expands as allowed according to the positions of the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300. The water mixes with the beverage ingredient in the cavity of the beverage ingredient container 100 to form a beverage that exits from an outlet at the lower end of the beverage ingredient container. As described herein, when the first mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 may not be hindered during beverage sales. When the second mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 may be hindered during beverage sales.

[0122] According to another operating method, as described above, the user may determine their own milk during the extraction process. In a mode where the user can froth their own milk, the beverage extraction device 200 operates according to a second mode. Thus, the first and second walls 310, 320 move to the positions shown in FIG. 9 separated by a second distance D2. In such an embodiment, when the user selects a mode and parameters, the user places a cup containing a desired amount (e.g., 85 g (3 ounces)) of dairy product in the cup holder station 208. Next, the control system 250 opens the valve 255 and activates the pump 246 so that water flows from the water tank 245 through the conduit 248 and the injection conduit 252 and out through the injection nozzle 253 into the milk in the cup 209. The injected water froths the milk previously placed in the cup. Next, the user inserts the beverage ingredient container 100 into the beverage extraction device. Thereafter, the control system 250 opens the valve 254 and activates the pump 248 to send water from the water tank 245 through the conduit 248 and the extraction conduit 249 to the extraction outlet 251, whereby the water is sent into the beverage ingredient container 100.

[0123] During this process, the beverage ingredient container 100 expands, but the expansion is restricted by the arrangement of the first and second walls 310, 320. Therefore, the bed of the beverage ingredient maintains a greater depth, and as a result, the extraction concentration of the solid content of the beverage ingredient in the water increases. Thus, the walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter 300 prevent the expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 during beverage sales in order to increase the extraction concentration of the beverage ingredient in the beverage. This enables the final beverage product to meet the desired flavor profile and not be diluted too much for use with the user's own dairy product frothed by the jet water.

[0124] Figures 10A and 10B are schematic views of a beverage ingredient container 100 before and during beverage sales according to the first mode described herein. In Figures 10A and 10B, the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter are spaced apart from each other by a first distance D1. The first distance D1 is large enough so that the first and second walls 310, 320 do not contact or impede the expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 during beverage sales. Therefore, the depth of the beverage ingredient 150 in the cavity 115 decreases significantly during beverage sales.

[0125] Figures 10C and 10D are schematic views of a beverage ingredient container 100 before and during beverage sales according to the second aspect described herein. In Figures 10C and 10D, the first and second walls 310, 320 of the expansion limiter are spaced apart from each other by a second distance D2. The second distance D2 is shorter than the first distance D1. The second distance D2 is small enough so that when the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 expands during beverage sales, the first and second walls 310, 320 contact the body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100. That is, before the start of beverage sales, the first and second walls 310, 320 are separated from the beverage ingredient container (no preload, as shown in Figure 10C). During beverage sales, the beverage ingredient container 100 begins to expand and immediately contacts the first and second walls 310, 320, preventing further expansion of the beverage ingredient container 100 by the contact. Therefore, the depth of the beverage ingredient 150 in Figure 10D is greater than the depth of the beverage ingredient 150 in Figure 10B due to the difference in the amount of expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 (and the corresponding difference in the volume of the cavity 115).

[0126] Among other variables, the extraction of solids from ground coffee is related to the flow rate and pressure of the water used for extraction. The invention described in this specification aims to increase the pressure within the cavity 115 of the beverage ingredient container 100 by restricting its opening (i.e., restricting the expansion of the main body portion 160 of the beverage ingredient container 100 and the expansion of the volume of the cavity 115) (when operating in the second mode as compared to the first mode). In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by arranging the first and second walls 310, 320 on either side of the beverage ingredient container 100 before the start of extraction. When the first and second walls 310, 320 are sufficiently close to the starting position of the beverage ingredient container 100 (such as the position shown in FIG. 10C), when the beverage ingredient container 100 is filled with water and the internal pressure rises, the beverage ingredient container 100 expands to fill the void (the space between the first and second walls 310, 320 and the beverage ingredient container 100), but cannot reach its normal fully expanded shape. However, since the first and second walls 310, 320 do not have to be in contact with the beverage ingredient container 100 at the start of sale, no preload is required. This may significantly simplify the mechanical structure compared to this type of prior machine.

[0127] Approximating the bed of beverage ingredients (such as coffee) as a general fluid restriction, the pressure required to pass a constant fluid flow rate is linearly related to the depth of the bed and related to the surface area of the bed through an inverse square. If the beverage ingredient container 100 cannot expand (e.g., due to the positional relationship of the first and second walls 310, 320), the filter base cannot be made wide, and thus a shallow coffee bed cannot be created. Instead, as shown in FIG. 10D, the same amount of coffee is dispersed over a smaller area, forming a deeper bed. Both the decrease in the area and the increase in the depth of the bed act to increase the extraction pressure and, as a result, increase the level of extraction. In previous experiments, this caused the extraction pressure to increase by approximately 125% and the coffee concentration to increase by approximately 70%.

[0128] As used throughout, ranges are used as a shorthand for describing each and every value that falls within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the boundary of the range. Further, all documents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between the definitions in this disclosure and those of the cited documents, this disclosure shall control.

[0129] Although the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications exist to the systems and techniques described above. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention should be broadly construed as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage ingredient container comprising a body portion defining a cavity for containing a beverage ingredient, wherein the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is configured such that the volume of the cavity expands from an initial volume to a maximum volume during beverage sales when the body portion of the beverage ingredient container is not obstructed, the beverage extraction system comprising: The beverage extraction device is A support member configured to support the beverage ingredient container during the beverage sales; An expansion limiter comprising a first wall and a second wall at least partially spaced apart from each other by a gap, wherein the beverage ingredient container is disposed within the gap when supported by the support member during the beverage sales; The beverage extraction device is A first mode in which the first and second walls are spaced apart by a first maximum distance sufficient for the volume of the cavity of the beverage ingredient container to expand to the maximum volume during the beverage sales; A second mode in which the first and second walls prevent the volume of the cavity of the beverage ingredient container from expanding to the maximum volume during the beverage sales, and is operable to sell beverages; Beverage extraction system.

2. During the beverage sales, the first wall is located near the front of the beverage ingredient container, the second wall is located near the rear of the beverage ingredient container, and in each of the first and second modes, the cavity of the beverage ingredient container is the initial volume, and at the start of the beverage sales, the first wall is spaced apart from the front of the beverage ingredient container, and the second wall is spaced apart from the rear of the beverage ingredient container. The beverage extraction system according to claim 1.

3. When the beverage ingredient container is disposed in the gap before the start of the beverage sales, the minimum distance between the first and second walls of the expansion limiter and the beverage ingredient container in the first mode is between 1 mm and 10 mm, and the minimum distance between the first and second walls of the expansion limiter and the beverage ingredient container in the second mode is between 10 mm and 20 mm. The beverage extraction system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The first and second walls of the expansion limiter are not in contact with the beverage ingredient container at the start of the beverage sales in either the first or second mode. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the first mode, the liquid is introduced into the cavity at a first pressure, and in the second mode, the liquid is introduced into the cavity at a second pressure greater than the first pressure. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first pressure is about 50 kPa, and the second pressure is at most 150 kPa. The beverage extraction system according to claim 5.

7. The first wall is fixed, and the second wall can move toward and away from the first wall so as to adjust the maximum separation distance between the first and second walls according to the selection of the user in the first mode or the second mode of the beverage sale. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The beverage raw material container further includes a door that can be changed between an open state and a closed state in which the nozzle of the beverage raw material container can be engaged with the support member by being inserted into the gap between the first and second walls of the expansion limiter, and the first wall is connected to or forms a part of the door. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Each of the first and second walls of the expansion limiter is formed of a rigid and non-flexible material, and the inner surfaces of the first and second walls facing the beverage raw material container are rigid. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Each of the first and second walls has a front surface facing the gap, and the front surfaces of the first and second walls have concave portions facing the beverage raw material container when the beverage raw material container is disposed in the gap. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The expansion limiter does not clamp the beverage raw material container between the first and second walls at the start of the beverage sale. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The expansion limiter defines a chamber that opens along the opposing sides of the expansion limiter when the beverage extraction device is selling the beverage in either the first mode or the second mode. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. In both the first and second modes, the first and second walls of the expansion limiter are completely separated from each other such that no portion of the first wall contacts the second wall and vice versa. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. In the first mode, when the volume of the beverage raw material container expands to the maximum volume, the first and second walls do not contact the beverage raw material container. In the second mode, when the volume of the beverage raw material container reaches an intermediate volume less than the maximum volume, the first and second walls contact the beverage raw material container to prevent further expansion of the volume of the beverage raw material container. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The cavity of the beverage raw material container has a cavity axis, and the first and second maximum distances are measured in a direction perpendicular to the cavity axis. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The first and second walls are in a fixed relative position when beverage sales are started in either the first mode or the second mode. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The beverage raw material container is provided with an inlet for receiving the liquid and introducing the liquid into the cavity of the main body portion during pre-beverage sales. The support member is configured to support the beverage raw material container with the nozzle such that the main body portion of the beverage raw material container hangs freely from the support member. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. In either the first or second mode, the first and second walls of the expansion limiter are separated from the beverage raw material container at the start of beverage sales, and the volume of the cavity of the beverage raw material container expands until it reaches the maximum volume during beverage sales or is blocked by the first and second walls of the expansion limiter. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The beverage extraction device further comprises a control system and a user interface, and the control system is operably connected to the expansion limiter and the user interface. When the user selects the first mode with the user interface, the control system is configured to move at least one of the first and second walls of the expansion limiter so that the first and second walls are separated by the first maximum distance. When the user selects the second mode with the user interface, the control system is configured to move at least one of the first and second walls of the expansion limiter so that the first and second walls are separated by the second maximum distance. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A beverage extraction system comprising: A beverage raw material container having a main body portion defining a cavity for containing a beverage raw material, wherein the main body portion of the beverage raw material container, when the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is not obstructed during beverage sales, the main body portion expands from an initial state in which the cavity has a first volume to a maximum expansion state in which the cavity has a second volume larger than the first volume; A beverage extraction device comprising a support member configured to support the beverage raw material container without obstructing the expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container during beverage sales, and an expansion limiter; During beverage sales, the main body portion of the beverage raw material container expands from the initial state to an intermediate expansion state in which the cavity has a third volume smaller than the second volume, and the expansion limiter prevents the expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container beyond the intermediate expansion state. Beverage extraction system.

21. The expansion limiter is configured to at least partially surround the main body portion of the beverage raw material container during beverage sales. The beverage extraction system according to claim 20.

22. The expansion limiter includes a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from each other, and at least a part of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is disposed between the first and second walls during beverage sales. The beverage extraction system according to claim 20 or claim 21.

23. The first and second walls of the expansion limiter do not make compressive contact with the main body portion of the beverage raw material container at the start of beverage sales. The beverage extraction system according to claim 22.

24. During the beverage sales, the main body portion of the beverage raw material container expands to the intermediate expanded state, at which point the first and second walls of the expansion limiter contact the main body portion of the beverage raw material container to prevent further expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container. The beverage extraction system according to claim 23.

25. The main body portion of the beverage raw material container includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a peripheral portion. The front wall and the rear wall are joined to each other along the peripheral portion. The expansion of the main body portion occurs in the direction between the front wall and the rear wall. The first and second walls of the expansion limiter face the front and rear walls of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container, respectively. The beverage extraction system according to claim 24.

26. The beverage extraction device is configured to perform the beverage sales in a first mode or a second mode based on a user's selection. When the user selects the first mode, the expansion limiter is in a relative position with respect to the beverage raw material container so as to prevent the expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container and not allow the beverage raw material container to expand to the maximum expanded state. When the user selects the second mode, the expansion limiter is positioned to prevent the beverage raw material container from expanding to the maximum expanded state during the beverage sales. The beverage raw material container expands from the initial state to the intermediate expanded state, and further expansion is prevented due to the contact between the expansion limiter and the main body portion of the beverage raw material container. The beverage extraction system according to any one of claims 20 to 25.

27. Selecting one of a plurality of extraction modes for beverage sales with a beverage extraction device; Inserting a beverage raw material container into the beverage extraction device, the beverage raw material container comprising a main body portion having a cavity containing a beverage raw material; Introducing a liquid of the beverage extraction device into the cavity of the beverage raw material container during the beverage sales, the liquid being mixed with the beverage raw material in the cavity of the beverage raw material container to form a beverage that exits from an outlet at the lower end of the beverage raw material container; When a first mode is selected from the plurality of modes, expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is not prevented during the beverage sales. When a second mode is selected from the plurality of modes, expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is prevented during the beverage sales. Beverage extraction method.

28. When the first mode is selected, the beverage raw material container expands from an initial state to a maximum expansion state. When the second mode is selected, the beverage raw material container is prevented from expanding to the maximum expansion state during beverage sales. The beverage extraction method according to claim 27.

29. When the second mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the beverage raw material container expands from the initial state to an intermediate state during beverage sales. The beverage extraction method according to claim 28.

30. When the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is in the initial state, the cavity of the beverage raw material container has a first volume. When the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is in the maximum expansion state, the cavity of the beverage raw material container has a second volume. When the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is in the intermediate expansion state, the cavity of the beverage raw material container has a third volume. The third volume is larger than the first volume, and the second volume is larger than the third volume. The beverage extraction method according to claim 29.

31. When the first mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the expansion limiter of the beverage extraction device is in a first position that does not prevent the expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container, and the beverage raw material container can expand from the initial state to the maximum expansion state during beverage sales. When the second mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the expansion limiter of the beverage extraction device is in a second position that prevents the expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container, and the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is prevented from expanding to the maximum expansion state during beverage sales. The beverage extraction method according to any one of claims 27 to 30.

32. The expansion limiter does not contact the beverage raw material container at the start of beverage sales in either the first or second mode. When the main body portion of the beverage raw material container expands to an intermediate expansion state in the second mode, the beverage raw material container expands until it contacts the expansion limiter, and the expansion limiter prevents the expansion of the beverage raw material container beyond the intermediate expansion state. The beverage extraction method according to claim 31.

33. When the first mode is selected from the plurality of modes, the beverage raw material container expands to the maximum expansion state without contacting the expansion limiter. The beverage extraction method according to claim 31 or claim 32.

34. The expansion limiter includes a first wall and a second wall that are separated by a first distance when the first mode is selected and by a second distance when the second mode is selected, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. The beverage extraction method according to any one of claims 31 to 33.

35. At least one of the first and second walls moves toward the other of the first and second walls when the second mode is selected, and at least one of the first and second walls moves away from the other of the first and second walls when the first mode is selected. The beverage extraction method according to claim 34.

36. Injecting water into a cup containing dairy products through an injection nozzle of a beverage extraction device to form milk foam; Inserting a beverage raw material container into the beverage extraction device, the beverage raw material container comprising a main body portion having a cavity containing a beverage raw material; Performing a beverage sale comprising introducing a liquid into the cavity of the beverage raw material container through an extraction nozzle of the beverage extraction device, the liquid mixing with the beverage raw material in the cavity of the beverage raw material container to form a beverage, the beverage exiting through an outlet of the beverage raw material container and mixing with the milk foam in the cup to form a final beverage product; Expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is prevented during the beverage sale to increase the extraction concentration of the beverage raw material in the beverage; Beverage extraction method

37. The expansion of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is prevented by an expansion limiter having a first wall and a second wall located on opposite sides of the beverage raw material container, preventing the beverage raw material container from expanding to its maximum expansion state during the beverage sale. The method according to claim 36.

38. The beverage raw material container is not compressed by the expansion limiter before the start of the beverage sale. The method according to claim 37.

39. The first and second walls of the expansion limiter do not contact the beverage raw material container at the start of the beverage sale, and during the beverage sale, the beverage raw material container expands and contacts the first and second walls of the expansion limiter, preventing the beverage raw material container from reaching the maximum expansion state. The method according to claim 37 or claim 38.

40. During the beverage sale, the body portion of the beverage raw material container expands from an initial state in which the cavity of the beverage raw material container has a first volume to an intermediate expansion state in which the cavity of the beverage raw material container has a second volume larger than the first volume, and the second volume is less than a third volume related to the beverage raw material container in a maximum expansion state. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 39.

41. A beverage raw material container comprising a body portion defining a cavity containing a beverage raw material, wherein the body portion of the beverage raw material container expands from an initial state to a maximum expansion state when the body portion of the beverage raw material container is not obstructed during beverage sale; a beverage raw material container; A beverage extraction device, A support member configured to support the beverage raw material container during the beverage sale, A beverage extraction device comprising an expansion limiter having a first wall and a second wall positioned close to opposite faces of the beverage raw material container during the beverage sale; Before the start of the beverage sale, at least one of the first and second walls is spaced apart from the beverage raw material container, and during the beverage sale, the beverage raw material container expands and contacts each of the first and second walls, and the first and second walls prevent the beverage raw material container from expanding to the maximum expansion state. A beverage extraction system.

42. A beverage extraction device, A support member configured to support the beverage raw material container during the beverage sale, An expansion limiter having a first wall and a second wall positioned close to opposite faces of the beverage raw material container during the beverage sale; The beverage extraction device is operable to sell in a first mode in which the first and second walls are spaced apart by a first maximum distance and a second mode in which the first and second walls are spaced apart by a second maximum distance, the second maximum distance being smaller than the first maximum distance. A beverage extraction device.

43. A beverage raw material container comprising a body portion defining a cavity for containing a beverage raw material; A beverage extraction device comprising a support member configured to support the beverage raw material container during beverage sale and an expansion limiter; Before the start of the beverage sale, the beverage raw material container is supported by the support member such that at least a part of the outer surface of the body portion of the beverage raw material container is spaced apart from the expansion limiter. During the beverage sales, the volume of the cavity of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is made to expand until the portion of the outer surface of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container contacts the expansion limiter to prevent further expansion of the volume of the cavity. Beverage extraction system. Claim 44 The outer surface of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container includes a front portion and a rear portion. Before the start of beverage sales, at least one of the front portion and the rear portion of the outer surface of the main body portion of the beverage raw material container is made to be separated from the expansion limiter. During the beverage sales, the volume of the cavity of the main body portion is made to increase until both the front portion and the rear portion contact the expansion limiter, binding the coin main body portion of the beverage raw material container and preventing further expansion of the volume of the cavity. The beverage extraction system according to claim 43. Claim 45 The expansion limiter includes a first wall and a second wall separated by a gap, and the beverage raw material container is made to be positioned within the gap during the beverage sales. The beverage extraction system according to claim 43 or claim 44.

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