Abstract: A machine is provided for preparing a desired beverage product from infusible materials. The machine includes a brew chamber that is adapted to hold the infusible materials, the brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet tube is provided for transferring a fluid from a fluid receptacle to the inlet of the brew chamber and a dispensing tube is provided for transferring fluid from the outlet of the brew chamber to the receptacle. A fluid pump is provided for recirculating fluid through the brew chamber. In another aspect, a machine is provided for preparing a desired beverage product containing a gas. The machine includes a fluid pump for recirculating fluid from a fluid receptacle through an inlet tube to a dispensing tube and back to said fluid receptacle. The machine further includes an air pump disposed between the inlet tube and the fluid pump for introducing air into said beverage fluid that is recirculated by said fluid pump. A pod for use with the machine is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for making a beverage capsule for use in a beverage preparing machine. The system includes a filter station for sealing a filter to an interior space of a body for the beverage capsule to define an ingredients chamber; an ingredients station for depositing a desired volume of desired ingredients into the ingredients chamber; and a cover sealing station for sealing a cover to the body. The cover being sealed to the body to define a hinge zone and a peel zone, wherein the hinge zone has a stronger seal than the peel zone.

Abstract: A system and process for forming and sealing a filter in a capsule is provided. The system includes a filter forming station having a mandrel for forming a filter preform, a capsule holder for holding a body of a capsule for receiving the mandrel with the filter preform and a filter sealing station including a sealer for sealing the filter preform to the body at a desired location within the interior surface of the body. The mandrel is adapted to hold the filter preform at a desired position for placement and sealing within the body. The process includes forming a filter preform on a mandrel from a filter material, positioning a body of a capsule for receiving the mandrel with the filter preform, the mandrel being adapted to hold the filter preform, and sealing the filter preform at a desired location to an interior surface of the body.

Abstract: A capsule or container is provided having optimized recycling attributes. The capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing a consumable product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. A cover is disposed over the opening. A filter is disposed in the interior space to define a chamber between the filter and the cover. The body, filter and cover are preferably formed of the same substantially pure polymer material. Ingredients are disposed in the interior space for preparing a desired product. A hinge is provided to tether the cover to the body. The cover is attached with a peelable seal to the body so that cover may be peeled away from the body while remaining tethered at the hinge.

Abstract: A capsule is provided containing a dosing agent and a system and process is provided for making capsules containing a dosing agent. The capsule includes a body defining an interior space and an opening, the capsule having ingredients and a dosing agent disposed in the interior space and a cover to seal the opening. The process and system includes depositing ingredients and the dosing agent in the interior space of the capsule and then covering the opening.

Abstract: A capsule or container is provided having optimized recycling attributes. The capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing a consumable product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. A cover is disposed over the opening. A filter is disposed in the interior space to define a chamber between the filter and the cover. The body, filter and cover are preferably formed of the same substantially pure polymer material. Ingredients are disposed in the interior space for preparing a desired product. A hinge is provided to tether the cover to the body. The cover is attached with a peelable seal to the body so that cover may be peeled away from the body while remaining tethered at the hinge.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a beverage capsule for use in a beverage preparing machine. The process includes the steps of: sealing a filter to an interior surface of a body for the beverage capsule to define an ingredients chamber; depositing a desired volume of desired ingredients into the ingredients chamber; and sealing a cover to the body to cover the opening. The cover is sealed to the body to define a hinge zone and a peel zone, wherein the hinge zone has a stronger seal than the peel zone.

Abstract: A capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing a consumable product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. Ingredients are disposed within the interior space for preparing a desired product, a portion of the ingredients being non-permanently bound into a cluster. The cluster acts as a control member for controlling a flow of fluid for a period of time within the capsule. A cover is disposed over the opening.

Abstract: A machine for preparing a product from a capsule that contains desired ingredients is provided. The machine includes a housing, a brew chamber disposed in the housing for holding a capsule and an injection system adapted for injecting a fluid into said capsule. In one embodiment, the injection system has a plurality of injection nozzles that are each adapted for piercing a lid of a capsule. In another embodiment, the brew chamber has at least one movable portion that is adapted to move to receive different sized capsules.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for the detection of a leak between a container and a flexible cover secured about an opening in the container. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber for receiving the container, a pressure indicating sensor coupled to a controller; and a sensor support. The sensor is positioned on the sensor support wherein, in operation, the sensor is located in close proximity to the container cover such that when the container is within the vacuum chamber and subjected to a vacuum condition, gases within the container cause the cover to expand at the location of a leak between the cover and the container. Upon contact with the cover the sensor generates a signal received by the controller to indicate both the detection and the location of the leak about the opening in the container.

Abstract: A capsule is provided containing a dosing agent and a system and process is provided for making capsules containing a dosing agent. The capsule includes a body defining an interior space and an opening, the capsule having ingredients and a dosing agent disposed in the interior space and a cover to seal the opening. The process and system includes depositing ingredients and the dosing agent in the interior space of the capsule and then covering the opening.

Abstract: A capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing a consumable product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. A cover is disposed over the opening and is adapted to shrink sufficiently when pierced by the injection system to allow pressure to build beneath the cover up to a maximum pressure. A filter is disposed in the interior space to define a steeping chamber between the filter and the cover and is adapted to restrict the flow of fluid sufficiently to cause the steeping chamber to fill with fluid without exceeding the maximum pressure. Ingredients are disposed in the interior space for preparing a desired product.

Abstract: An apparatus for accelerated or controlled degassing of roasted coffee. The apparatus comprises a container for receiving and retaining roasted coffee, a source of inert gas in fluid communication with the container, and a controller. The controller includes a timer and a valve. The valve is operatively associated with the source of inert gas and has an open and a closed position. When in its closed position the valve restricts the flow of inert gas into the container. When in its open position the valve permits the flow of inert gas into the container such that the inert gas displaces at least a portion of the gas in the container. The timer causes the valve to cycle between its open and closed positions at predetermined time intervals. The flow of inert gas can also be controlled through the use of a gas sensor in communication with the interior of the container.

Abstract: A capsule housing is provided for use in a machine for preparing a desired product from capsules. The capsule housing includes a capsule containment portion, a product collection portion and a product dispensing portion. A dispensing system is disposed in the capsule housing for dispensing product prepared from the capsule. An adjustment system is disposed in the capsule housing for accommodating different sizes of capsules.