Abstract: A method and device for cold or hot brewing a beverage, soup, and meal using a pod containing corresponding brew material and serving the brew in a cup, bowl or directly in the pod. A brew catalyzer may be activated to catalyze the cold brewing to achieve a rich cold brew in a minute. A needle for piercing the pod may be provided with a shield for preventing injury to children and for sealing to the surface to be pierced. A holder may have an access opening movable up and down to accommodate differently sized/shaped pods and an energy emitter to cooperate with a hot fluid injected into an interior of the brew material via the needle to cook from both outside in and inside out. A bit group may be provided to determine a set of brewing conditions for the pod and allow customization and modification for the set of brewing conditions via Internet.

Abstract: A cup comprises a container having a flat bottom wall pierceable by a needle, a filter has a flat filter bottom supported on or sufficiently close to the flat bottom to allow the needle to push part of the flat filter bottom upwards to form a beverage collection chamber, a lid having an outer sidewall and a sloped inner sidewall to transform the brewing pressure in the cup into radial outward force acting on the outer sidewall to impart rigidity to the lid during brewing, and a pressure sensitive adhesive O-ring between the horizontal wall of the lid and the container rim. The cup may comprise a pressurization chamber enclosed by the outer sidewall, inner sidewall and a top film and adapted to become pressurized and expanded when hot water is injected into the cup, thereby imparting rigidity to the lid and improving the seal to the container.

Abstract: A vacuum seal lid for turning existing containers including plate, bowl, pan and even cutting board into a vacuum storage container comprises a top plate having an opening, a sidewall, sealing means for preserving vacuum, and a knob adapted to be at a first position in which it is above the opening to facilitate evacuation and handling, a second position in which it is at least partly below the opening to facilitate stacking and storage and a third position between the first and second positions in which the vacuum is released. The top plate may further comprise a first plate in which the opening is located and a second plate having an elastic membrane and a smooth lower surface constituting part of the sealing means for sealing containers smaller than the lid. The sealing means also comprises a sealing membrane located below the bottom surface or on the outer surface of the sidewall for sealing containers larger than the lid.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device comprises a lid having a rigid rim with a lower opening for receiving a dish, an impermeable elastic membrane peripherally affixed to the rigid rim for sealing the dish, and a valve-less air evacuator formed between the elastic membrane and the dish rim. The valve-less evacuator allows air to flow out of the dish when the lid is being pressed and becomes closed when the lid is released to cause said lid to rebound to form a vacuum in the dish. The rigid rim prevents lid deformation when the lid is pressed, thus enabling the vacuum formation. To facilitate lid removal, the device has a valve-less vacuum releaser comprising a finger-receiving chamber and a section of the elastic membrane located above the chamber and connected to the rigid rim for releasing the vacuum in the dish. To prevent vacuum loss during storage in freezer or fridge, the elastic membrane is sufficiently thinned prior to being affixed to the rigid rim.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device comprises a lid having a rigid rim with a lower opening for receiving a dish, an impermeable elastic membrane peripherally affixed to the rigid rim for sealing the dish, and a valve-less air evacuator formed between the elastic membrane and the dish rim. The valve-less evacuator allows air to flow out of the dish when the lid is being pressed and becomes closed when the lid is released to cause said lid to rebound to form a vacuum in the dish. The rigid rim prevents lid deformation when the lid is pressed, thus enabling the vacuum formation. To facilitate lid removal, the device has a valve-less vacuum releaser comprising a finger-receiving chamber and a section of the elastic membrane located above the chamber and connected to the rigid rim for releasing the vacuum in the dish. To prevent vacuum loss during storage in freezer or fridge, the elastic membrane is sufficiently thinned prior to being affixed to the rigid rim.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device comprises a lid having a rigid rim with a lower opening for receiving a dish, an impermeable elastic membrane peripherally affixed to the rigid rim for sealing the dish, and a valve-less air evacuator formed between the elastic membrane and the dish rim. The valve-less evacuator allows air to flow out of the dish when the lid is being pressed and becomes closed when the lid is released to cause said lid to rebound to form a vacuum in the dish. The rigid rim prevents lid deformation when the lid is pressed, thus enabling the vacuum formation. To facilitate lid removal, the device has a valve-less vacuum releaser comprising a finger-receiving chamber and a section of the elastic membrane located above the chamber and connected to the rigid rim for releasing the vacuum in the dish. To prevent vacuum loss during storage in freezer or fridge, the elastic membrane is sufficiently thinned prior to being affixed to the rigid rim.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device comprises a lid having a rigid rim with a lower opening for receiving a dish, an impermeable elastic membrane peripherally affixed to the rigid rim for sealing the dish, and a valve-less air evacuator formed between the elastic membrane and the dish rim. The valve-less evacuator allows air to flow out of the dish when the lid is being pressed and becomes closed when the lid is released to cause said lid to rebound to form a vacuum in the dish. The rigid rim prevents lid deformation when the lid is pressed, thus enabling the vacuum formation. To facilitate lid removal, the device has a valve-less vacuum releaser comprising a finger-receiving chamber and a section of the elastic membrane located above the chamber and connected to the rigid rim for releasing the vacuum in the dish. To prevent vacuum loss during storage in freezer or fridge, the elastic membrane is sufficiently thinned prior to being affixed to the rigid rim.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating and delivering a pressurized hot water pulse to a brewing station comprises a water inlet adapted to close during delivering the pulse, an outlet for the pulse, a generator comprising a water heating chamber for receiving a amount of water via the inlet and for heating the water therein to produce sufficiently hot water for the brewing station, a pressurization chamber for vaporizing water to generate pressurized steam to deliver the hot water as a pressurized hot water pulse to the brewing station through the outlet, and a heating system for the heating and the vaporization of the water in said pulse generator. The chamber has a first end adapted to receive pressurized steam and a second end close to the hot water intake port of the inlet.

Abstract: A thin sheet of sealed coffee grounds comprises a plurality of filter packs, a rigid substrate sheet, a flexible barrier sheet sealed to the substrate sheet via a plurality of ring-shaped seals to form a plurality of chambers to contain the plurality of filter packs, a plurality of cut lines outside the plurality of seals for isolating the chambers from one another, and a plurality of grippable tabs for dispensing the filter packs from the thin sheet. The grippable tabs are adapted to allow a user to dispense a filter pack at a time from the thin sheet by simply pulling a grippable tab to open a chamber and release the filter pack therein. The substrate sheet has a smooth top surface in one aspect of the invention and a plurality of cylindrical cavities sealed by the flexible barrier sheet via the ring-shaped seals in another aspect of the invention. In a further aspect of the invention the plurality of filter packs in the thin sheet is replaced by a plurality of portions of loose coffee grounds.

Abstract: A hygiene device for a coffee or espresso machine comprises an upper surface for receiving hot water from the machine, a lower surface adapted to be contaminated by flavor-containing materials in a basket while preventing the flavor-containing materials from contaminating the machine, a sufficiently small opening for allowing hot water to pass through to the flavor-containing materials and preventing the flavor-containing materials from reaching the upper surface, and a handle for allowing a user to move the hygiene device to allow the flavor-containing materials contaminated on the lower surface to be washed away. The hygiene device may comprise a seal member for forming an airtight seal with the rim or side wall of basket to enable a vacuum building-up therein to prevent dripping when disposing the wet flavor-containing materials.

Abstract: Device and method for brewing coffee comprises a body connected to a container for allowing the formation of a dispersion of flavor-containing materials and liquid and the extraction of the flavor-containing materials to produce a liquid extraction, a porous filter connected to the body and having a first surface for contacting the dispersion, filtration openings for allowing the liquid extraction in the dispersion to pass through but blocking the flavor-containing materials and a second surface for receiving the liquid extraction, and a flow facilitator having a selective opening adapted to allow air to pass through but restrict the flavor-containing materials from passing through. The body and porous filter are adapted to allow the container to be tilted to generate a liquid head to act on the first surface of porous filter to drive the liquid extraction through the porous filter to produce a beverage.

Abstract: A fluid supply is provided, which includes a body defining a storage space configured to contain a fluid, a first electrode and a second electrode contained within the storage space and configured to be in direct contact with the fluid, wherein the first electrode and second electrode are configured to be connected to external power supply circuitry for applying an alternating signal across the first and second electrodes, and a first electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrode and a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second electrode. The first electrical contact and second electrical contact are to be connected to the external power supply circuitry and to detector circuitry for determining a measured impedance value of the fluid.

Abstract: Device for preparing a coffee drink having a visually appealing crema layer comprises a container for receiving flavor-containing materials and allowing it to interact with pressurized hot water to produce a coffee drink, an orifice for converting the coffee drink into a high speed drink jet, and a cyclone channel located below the orifice and adapted to interact with the jet to generate a cyclone zone therein during preparing the coffee drink. The cyclone zone stays alive by constantly drawing air in from atmosphere to emulsify with the coffee drink within the cyclone zone and constantly driving the resulting emulsion out of the cyclone zone as a result of the momentum of the jet. The emulsion separates into a coffee drink layer and a crema layer on top of the coffee drink upon being received in a cup.

Abstract: A pack of coffee paper filters to enable consumers to use freshly ground coffee beans to brew coffee in coffeemakers designed to use pre-packaged coffee pods comprises a stack of pan-shaped paper filters having a rim and a chamber adapted to receive various amounts of coffee beans to achieve the desired brew strength, a stack of overflow prevention sheets having a plurality of overflow stoppers connected to the sheet by bridges, and a container having a chamber to position the stack of pan-shaped filters, a guide chamber for guiding and aligning a seal presser with the rim of the pan-shaped filter and a seal platform for supporting the rim. The overflow stopper has a water permeable center portion, a sufficiently soft rim larger than rim of the pan-shaped filter and an adhesive ring at the rim on the rim.

Abstract: A fluid supply is provided, which includes a body defining a storage space configured to contain a fluid, a first electrode and a second electrode contained within the storage space and configured to be in direct contact with the fluid, wherein the first electrode and second electrode are configured to be connected to external power supply circuitry for applying an alternating signal across the first and second electrodes, and a first electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrode and a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second electrode. The first electrical contact and second electrical contact are to be connected to the external power supply circuitry and to detector circuitry for determining a measured impedance value of the fluid.

Abstract: A pod holder for pressure-brewing coffee comprises a bowl-shaped inner space for receiving a coffee pod, a peripheral edge for sealing to the brew head of a coffee machine, a collection chamber for receiving the coffee from the pod, and at least one of a crema device for generating a fine golden crema layer on coffee, a crema modulator for allowing a consumer to switch on or off the crema, a cup modulator connected to the collection chamber for allowing a consumer to adjust the amount of the coffee to be brewed and a pressure modulator connected to the collection chamber for allowing a consumer to adjust the strength of the coffee to be brewed.

Abstract: A pod for making coffee, espresso, hot chocolate, mocha, latte or the like comprises a first sheet of filtering paper having an open top end, a bottom and a substantially vertical side wall adapted to form a seal with the vertical side wall of a pod holder, a second sheet adapted to fit into the open top end of the first sheet to form a closed chamber between the sheets, a supply of flavor-containing materials in the closed chamber, and a sealing seam between the side walls of the first sheet and the second sheet. The sealing seam is adapted to prevent formation of bypass channels between the pod and the side wall of a pod holder, thereby causing all or nearly all the hot water introduced to the pod holder to pass through the flavor-containing materials between the first and second sheets. Method for using the pod to make coffee, espresso, hot chocolate, mocha, latte or the like is provided.

Abstract: A thin sheet of sealed coffee grounds comprises a plurality of filter packs, a rigid substrate sheet, a flexible barrier sheet sealed to the substrate sheet via a plurality of ring-shaped seals to form a plurality of chambers to contain the plurality of filter packs, a plurality of cut lines outside the plurality of seals for isolating the chambers from one another, and a plurality of grippable tabs for dispensing the filter packs from the thin sheet. The grippable tabs are adapted to allow a user to dispense a filter pack at a time from the thin sheet by simply pulling a grippable tab to open a chamber and release the filter pack therein. The substrate sheet has a smooth top surface in one aspect of the invention and a plurality of cylindrical cavities sealed by the flexible barrier sheet via the ring-shaped seals in another aspect of the invention. In a further aspect of the invention the plurality of filter packs in the thin sheet is replaced by a plurality of portions of loose coffee grounds.

Abstract: Method for brewing fresher coffee comprises introducing hot liquid to roasted coffee grounds in a container to form a dispersion and a layer of floated grounds, tilting container to generate a liquid head on a first surface of a filter to drive the dispersion through the filter to its second surface as coffee and breaking the layer of floated grounds by swirling or shaking the container. The method further comprises regenerating the filter by moving the container in such a way to cause the liquid to wash the grounds on the filter back into the container and adding ice into the dispersion to quench the extraction, thereby preventing over-extraction of coffee grounds and improving coffee taste.

Abstract: A hygiene device for a coffee or espresso machine comprises an upper surface for receiving hot water from the machine, a lower surface adapted to be contaminated by flavor-containing materials in a basket while preventing the flavor-containing materials from contaminating the machine, a sufficiently small opening for allowing hot water to pass through to the flavor-containing materials and preventing the flavor-containing materials from reaching the upper surface, and a handle for allowing a user to move the hygiene device to allow the flavor-containing materials contaminated on the lower surface to be washed away. The hygiene device may comprise a seal member for forming an airtight seal with the rim or side wall of basket to enable a vacuum building-up therein to prevent dripping when disposing the wet flavor-containing materials.