Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A carbonation apparatus includes a pressure vessel includes a cap that has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The carbonation device also includes a seal. The seal includes a labyrinth preventing contact of a liquid within the pressure vessel with the cap during a carbonation process. A locking mechanism removably locks the cap and seal and antifoam device relative to the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Various beverage preparation machines having a multi-chambered basket unit are disclosed. The basket unit can be configured to accept multiple cartridge configurations. For example, some embodiments are configured to receive a first cartridge configuration in a first chamber of the basket unit and a second configuration in a second chamber of the basket unit. In various embodiments, the basket unit can rotate to allow selective accessibility of the first and second chambers. This can facilitate loading the cartridges into the appropriate chamber, such as loading the first cartridge configuration into the first chamber and the second cartridge configuration into the second chamber.

Abstract: A single-serve beverage cartridge including a generally hollow body portion having a chamber, a sidewall, a first end, and a second end. A beverage component or precursor can be positioned in the chamber. Further, the second end can include at least one restricting orifice that can facilitate the creation of a predetermined amount of pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine for preparing single servings can include a lid assembly that can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The machine can also include a basket assembly having a chamber for receiving a cartridge containing a beverage precursor. Additionally, the machine can include a tamping assembly that can move between a latched state and a tamped state. The tamping assembly can include a tamping surface, a tamp spring element, a lid cam connected to the lid assembly, and a collar. The lid cam can include a cam path disposed along a sidewall of the lid cam, and the collar can have one or more cam teeth that can engage the cam path. In the tamped state, the tamping surface can be closer to the basket assembly than in the latched state.

Abstract: Machines and methods for preparing single-servings of a beverage. The machine can include a housing and a basket assembly positioned in the housing. The basket assembly defines a chamber capable of receiving a cartridge containing a beverage precursor. A screen having a plurality of openings can be positioned at a bottom portion of the chamber. A first plate having a single restricting orifice can be secured to the screen.

Abstract: A single-serve beverage preparation device including a multi-chambered basket unit having a first cartridge-receiving chamber and a second cartridge-receiving chamber is provided. The first cartridge-receiving chamber is configured to receive a first cartridge of a first beverage type and the second cartridge-receiving chamber is configured to receive a second cartridge of a second beverage type. The device includes a reader configured to read a code or tag associated with a single-serve beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients. The device can include a controller configured to determine a beverage type of the single-serve beverage cartridge from the code or tag and to cause the multi-chambered basket unit to present the cartridge-receiving chamber corresponding to the determined beverage type in a position to receive a single-serve beverage cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utilizing an application workflow framework to manage workflow on an application executing on a computing device. An illustrative workflow routine can include multiple tasks than need to be completed in order to complete the workflow routine. Accordingly, a workflow framework has a workflow definition that that matches the specific workflow routine. Each of the specific tasks defined in the workflow routine can be represented by a number of interface elements within the application. At least some of the interface elements can have a number of states of execution defined by the workflow definition and having different content and display attributes. In one embodiment, the states of execution can include a pre-active state, an active state, and a post-active state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ejecting cartridges from single-serve beverage preparation machines are disclosed. In some embodiments, an ejection system is configured to facilitate ejection of the cartridge from a chamber in a rotatable basket unit. The ejection system can encourage the cartridge out of the chamber during the rotation of the basket unit, such as by force or gravity, by spring-loaded pins, or otherwise.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus including a fluid reservoir having a first end and a second end. The brewing apparatus can include a lid portion configured to removably engage the first end of the fluid reservoir and a cartridge holder configured to removably engage the second end of the fluid reservoir. A spring-loaded plunger can slidably connect to the lid portion.

Abstract: A carbonation apparatus includes a pressure vessel includes a cap that has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The carbonation device also includes a seal. The seal includes a labyrinth preventing contact of a liquid within the pressure vessel with the cap during a carbonation process. A locking mechanism removably locks the cap and seal and antifoam device relative to the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Generally described are extracts and beverages with enhanced nutrients, flavors and textures and methods of making the same. Some embodiments relate to extracts and beverages produced through filtration techniques.

Abstract: Generally described are extracts and beverages with enhanced nutrients, flavors and textures and methods of making the same. Some embodiments relate to extracts and beverages produced through filtration techniques.

Abstract: A device for carbonating beverages includes a gas supply compartment in pneumatic communication with a gas supply conduit and a container coupled to the gas supply compartment. The container has an opening. A gasket is coupled to the opening of the container and the gas supply compartment. The gasket has an opening through which gas flows from the gas supply compartment to the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a dynamic graphical display for use in a product dispensing system, wherein the content of the display is dynamically generated based, at least in part, by the dispensing of a product. The product dispensing system can be a beverage dispensing system. When an operator activates a product dispenser to dispense a product, product imagery and/or related information may be dynamically generated and presented on a graphical display. A product dispensing and display system can include multiple product dispensers (for example, beverage taps) and an associated display for displaying dynamic digital content (such as visual and/or audible content) based on information received from the product dispensers and/or other input sources.

Abstract: Generally described are extracts and beverages with enhanced nutrients, flavors and textures and methods of making the same. Some embodiments relate to extracts and beverages produced through high pressure extraction techniques.

Abstract: A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cooking management system is described that identifies a customer and orders a product for the customer based at least on current temporal data. The cooking management system identifies customers associated with previous product requests that occurred during a predetermined range of time based at least on a comparison of current temporal data with temporal data associated with the previous product requests. The cooking management system causes presentation of identifiers of the identified customers on a display. Responsive to determining that the identifier for a particular customer has been selected, the cooking management system automatically causes a cooking device to prepare a product for the particular customer based at least on customer data associated with the particular customer.

Abstract: To facilitate the sale of merchandise using a stored value card (SVC), a method and system are provided to automatically reload an SVC in accordance with automatic reload preferences associated with the SVC account. The preferences include the pre-authorized reload amount, payment method, and the circumstances under which to automatically reload the SVC with the pre-authorized reload amount. The preferences are previously specified by a party associated with the SVC when setting up the automatic reload option. The party is notified when the automatic reload occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are packages for serving and storing powdered beverages and associated methods. A package for storing a powdered instant beverage comprises a first container, a utensil, and a lid. The lid is configured to engage with the first container so that the lid and the container enclose an interior volume. The lid comprises a lid body, a lid insert configured to be secured to the lid body, and a utensil-holding structure on the lid insert. The lid insert comprises a utensil recess configured to receive at least a portion of the utensil, and a handling recess configured to facilitate the removal and securing of the utensil to the lid. The utensil-holding structure is configured to removably secure the utensil to the lid insert.