Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.

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: Shown is an apparatus for brewing a beverage, such as coffee, as well as associated methods for brewing a beverage. Apparatuses and methods are shown to reduce labor involved in pour-over brewing techniques, while providing greater consistency in the results. Manual and/or automatic movements are provided to a filter (e.g., rotation) and/or a nozzle dispensing liquid over the filter. Water dosage and timing therefore can be automated to the filter. The nozzle can be positioned off-center with respect to the filter to ensure wetting thereof. The nozzle can be made movable for constrained changes to the path of liquid flow relative to the rotating filter.

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: Several embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the use of non-pathogenic microorganisms to prevent the growth and/or activity of pathogenic microorganisms in food products. More specifically, several embodiments relate to manipulation of the pH of low acid foods by non-pathogenic microorganisms to generate a local environment that is adverse to pathogenic microorganisms.

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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: An apparatus is disclosed for containing a material, such as coffee beans, that may be used with a grinding apparatus. The apparatus may have a directing component to guide a controlled dose of material toward the grinding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container with a base portion that engages a grinding apparatus. The container, when engaged with the grinding apparatus, can direct coffee beans toward the grinding apparatus and has a door that releases a controlled dose of beans. A grinding apparatus is also disclosed that may have a movable tongue to cause excess grounds caught on interior components of the grinding apparatus to exit the grinding apparatus. The apparatus, systems, and methods reduce labor associated with grinding the material and allow a user, such as a barista, to more efficiently prepare brewed beverages, such as single-cup portions of coffee.

Abstract: Shown is an apparatus for brewing a beverage, such as coffee, as well as associated methods for brewing a beverage. Apparatuses and methods are included to reduce labor involved in pour-over brewing techniques, while providing greater consistency in the results. Manual and/or automatic movements are provided to a filter (e.g., rotation) and/or a nozzle dispensing liquid over the filter. Water dosage and timing therefore can be automated to the filter. The nozzle can be positioned off-center with respect to the filter to ensure wetting thereof. The nozzle can be made movable for constrained changes to the path of liquid flow relative to the rotating filter.

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.