Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage using a beverage formation device. Opening of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid from a reservoir to a heating tank that is used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, opening of the brew chamber may cause a valve to be opened or otherwise permit flow of beverage precursor liquid from the reservoir to the heating tank. The valve may open simultaneously and automatically with a brew chamber lid, and may close when the brew chamber lid is closed.

Abstract: A cartridge for forming a beverage includes a container defining an interior space, a filter, a beverage medium contained in the interior space, and a filter guard. The filter may be arranged so that liquid that interacts with the beverage medium flows through the filter to exit the interior space. The container may include a surface arranged to be pierced by a piercing member to permit beverage to exit the container. The filter guard may be arranged to contact the piercing member to resist damage to the filter when the container surface is pierced. In one embodiment the filter guard and filter may be in contact with the container surface that is pierced, yet damage to the filter that might be caused by the piercing element may be avoided.

Abstract: A beverage forming apparatus includes a storage tank, and a centrifugal pump having an inlet connected to the storage tank by a supply conduit. The centrifugal pump may include a priming vent located below a full level of the storage tank and permit air to vent as liquid primes the pump. A metering tank may have an inlet connected to the centrifugal pump by a pump conduit, and an outlet connected to a brew chamber that forms a beverage using liquid received from the metering tank. In one embodiment, a flow control valve, such as a check valve, may be provided in the pump conduit to allow flow from the pump to the metering tank, but resist flow in reverse. In another embodiment, a vent valve in the pump conduit may be arranged to vent at least a portion of the pump conduit, e.g., to ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for draining a component of a beverage forming system such as a coffee brewer. A tank used for holding and/or heating a beverage precursor liquid may be automatically drained. A beverage forming machine including a drain system may be self-contained in that the liquid drained from the tank is held by another tank that is part of the beverage forming machine. The tank into which the drained liquid is deposited may be removable from the beverage forming machine.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a metered volume of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage dispenser. The system includes: a storage tank for containing a supply of unheated water, a dispensing tank, and a delivery line communicating with the brew chamber and with the dispensing tank at an intermediate level demarcating the interior of the dispensing tank into upper and lower compartments wherein the volume of the upper compartment is equal to the metered volume. The system also includes a vent valve communicating via a vent line with the upper compartment, and a supply line connecting the storage tank to the lower compartment. An air pump is arranged to deliver pressurized air to the upper compartment. A water pump in the supply line is arranged to deliver water from the storage tank to the lower compartment. A heater for heating water is received in the dispensing tank.

Abstract: A beverage forming system includes an actuator and first and second portions that are movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The first and second portions include a cartridge receiving portion to accept a cartridge for forming a beverage, e.g., a disposable single serve cartridge. A first linkage member may be fixed to the actuator and physically contact a second linkage member that may be fixed to the first or second portion (or to a frame that supports the first and second portions). Movement of the actuator may cause movement of the first and second linkage members relative to each other, thereby causing relative movement of the first and second portions between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a metered volume of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage dispenser. The system includes a storage tank for containing a supply of unheated water and a dispensing tank. A delivery line communicates with the brew chamber and with the dispensing tank at an intermediate level demarcating the interior of dispensing tank into upper and lower compartment. The volume of the upper compartment is equal to the metered volume. A vent valve communicates via a vent line with the upper compartment. A supply line connects the storage tank to the lower compartment. An air pump is arranged to deliver pressurized air to the upper compartment. A water pump in the supply line is arranged to deliver water from the storage tank to the lower compartment. A heater for heating water received in the dispensing tank. A sensing mechanism for generating control signals indicative of the level and temperature of water in the dispensing tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. An access opening for a reservoir of a brewer may be opened (e.g., to allow a user to provide liquid into the reservoir for forming a beverage), and thereafter, the access opening of the reservoir may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed. The access opening may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed by closing a lid of the reservoir, e.g., by a user pressing down on the lid. Pneumatic sealing of the reservoir may allow the water in the reservoir to be expelled from the reservoir for flow to the brew chamber by introducing air pressure into the reservoir, e.g., by an air pump. The reservoir may be vented during heating of the water, and during pressurization of the reservoir for delivery of the brew water.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing arrangement for a tank may include a float having a disc-like shape and a sensor that detects a position of the float relative to the tank. The float may have an overall height/total displacement ratio of 0.5 or less. The float may have a range of motion relative to the tank so that at least a portion of the float may move below a portion of a bottom wall of the tank and/or below an outlet for the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. A brewer may be operated so that when water or other beverage precursor is detected to be heated to a desired temperature, the liquid may be provided to a brew chamber to form a beverage. In one embodiment, detection of the water temperature may be performed by a temperature cut off switch (TCO) which is normally closed to provide power to a water heater, but opens when the water reaches a predetermined temperature. Opening of the TCO may cause delivery of the liquid to the brew chamber, e.g., by causing pressurization of a reservoir containing the liquid. In another embodiment, control of delivery of water from the reservoir may be made based on power interruption to the heater. For example, an air pump may be controlled to deliver air to the reservoir in response to power to the heater being cut off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. Movement of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid into a reservoir in a brewer, which is then used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, closing of the brew chamber may cause a lid for a water reservoir to be fully opened or otherwise permit movement of the lid to allow access to the reservoir, allowing a user to provide water into the reservoir. The reservoir lid may open with an abrupt action, causing attention to be drawn to the reservoir lid. In another arrangement, closure of the brew chamber may cause actuation of a baffle, pump, valve or other device to provide a suitable amount of water to a reservoir for beverage formation. In another arrangement, opening of the brew chamber may cause the reservoir lid to be automatically and simultaneously opened with the brew chamber.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing arrangement using a probe uses a baseline probe circuit characteristic, e.g., a circuit resistance or voltage, that is measured when the probe is out of contact with the liquid in the tank. The baseline characteristic may be used to determine a liquid level in the tank, e.g., a determination whether the liquid level is below or at/above the probe. In one embodiment, the baseline characteristic may be compared to a circuit characteristic that is measured as the tank is being filled. A difference between the baseline characteristic and the other circuit characteristic may be used to determine whether or not the probe is in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A brew chamber for a single serve filter package. The chamber includes a receptacle having an open top, configured and dimensioned to receive the package. A frame for supporting the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first axis between a vertical brew position and a forwardly inclined open position. A lid is supported on the frame for pivotal movement about a second axis between a raised position allowing access to the open top when the receptacle is in the open position, and a lowered position closing the open top when the receptacle is in the brew position. The receptacle is linked to the lid such that the receptacle is pivoted between the brew and open positions in response to movement of the lid between the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A beverage forming system includes an actuator and first and second portions that are movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The first and second portions include a cartridge receiving portion to accept a cartridge for forming a beverage, e.g., a disposable single serve cartridge. A first linkage member may be fixed to the actuator and physically contact a second linkage member that may be fixed to the first or second portion (or to a frame that supports the first and second portions). Movement of the actuator may cause movement of the first and second linkage members relative to each other, thereby causing relative movement of the first and second portions between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for draining a component of a beverage forming system such as a coffee brewer. A tank used for holding and/or heating a beverage precursor liquid may be automatically drained. A beverage forming machine including a drain system may be self-contained in that the liquid drained from the tank is held by another tank that is part of the beverage forming machine. The tank into which the drained liquid is deposited may be removable from the beverage forming machine.

Abstract: A brew chamber for a single serve filter package. The chamber includes a receptacle having an open top, configured and dimensioned to receive the package. A frame for supporting the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first axis between a vertical brew position and a forwardly inclined open position. A lid is supported on the frame for pivotal movement about a second axis between a raised position allowing access to the open top when the receptacle is in the open position, and a lowered position closing the open top when the receptacle is in the brew position. The receptacle is linked to the lid such that the receptacle is pivoted between the brew and open positions in response to movement of the lid between the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a pump adapted to cause liquid to flow from a first location to a second location. The pump may be operated in a calibration period, and based on performance characteristics for the pump, an operation index may be assigned to the pump. The operation index may be used to control subsequent operation of the pump. For example, the operation index may be used to identify an operation time for the pump to deliver a predetermined volume of liquid. Performance characteristics used to determine the operation index may include a voltage supplied to the pump and/or a volume flow rate of the pump.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing arrangement for a tank may include a float having a disc-like shape and a sensor that detects a position of the float relative to the tank. The float may have an overall height/total displacement ratio of 0.5 or less. The float may have a range of motion relative to the tank so that at least a portion of the float may move below a portion of a bottom wall of the tank and/or below an outlet for the tank.