Abstract: A product preparation system and method for processing a container including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a hinged spout cover and a user-removable multi-function restricting portion integrally formed as part of the cup closure assembly and detachable therefrom, the user-removable multi-function restricting portion being operative, when integrally attached to the cup closure assembly to prevent normal user opening of the hinged spout cover.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: A single-use product preparation container assembly including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly for engaging an at least partially liquefiable product located within the cup body and a liquid retaining chamber configured to receive liquid leaked from the cup body via the mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly and including a vent allowing egress of air from the liquid retaining chamber.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method for processing a container including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a hinged spout cover and a user-removable multi-function restricting portion integrally formed as part of the cup closure assembly and detachable therefrom, the user-removable multi-function restricting portion being operative, when integrally attached to the cup closure assembly to prevent normal user opening of the hinged spout cover.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly, including a cup body and a cup closure, the cup closure including a rotatable blade, and a container processor including a container support and an electric motor including a drive shaft are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: A carbonator including a sealed container, a carbonation flow path defining element located inside the sealed container and including a water inlet, a carbonation gas inlet and a carbonated water outlet, a carbonation rotor disposed along the carbonation flow path for mixing carbonation gas and water, thereby producing carbonated water, and directing the carbonated water through the carbonated water outlet into the interior of the sealed container, a water cooling coil disposed within the sealed container, a refrigerating coil disposed within the sealed container in direct heat exchange cooling engagement with the carbonated water and in indirect heat exchange cooling engagement with the water cooling coil via the carbonated water and a carbonated water circulating rotor disposed outside of the carbonation flow path defining element and being operative to circulate the carbonated water in heat exchange engagement with the water cooling coil and the refrigerating coil.

Abstract: A carbonator including a sealed container, a carbonation flow path defining element located inside the sealed container and including a water inlet, a carbonation gas inlet and a carbonated water outlet, a carbonation rotor disposed along the carbonation flow path for mixing carbonation gas and water, thereby producing carbonated water, and directing the carbonated water through the carbonated water outlet into the interior of the sealed container, a water cooling coil disposed within the sealed container, a refrigerating coil disposed within the sealed container in direct heat exchange cooling engagement with the carbonated water and in indirect heat exchange cooling engagement with the water cooling coil via the carbonated water and a carbonated water circulating rotor disposed outside of the carbonation flow path defining element and being operative to circulate the carbonated water in heat exchange engagement with the water cooling coil and the refrigerating coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a brew chamber (10) defining a volume for containing at least one container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises adjustment means (12, 14) for varying the volume (V) of said brew chamber. Preferably the adjustment means include a cover member (12) with a piston portion (25). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a brew chamber (10) defining a volume for containing at least one container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises adjustment means (12, 14) for varying the volume (V) of said brew chamber. Preferably the adjustment means include a cover member (12) with a piston portion (25). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.

Abstract: This invention uses a hydraulic system to seal the brew chamber of a coffee maker. The sealing mechanism consists of a heating part, sealing part and slider drawer. The heating part provides the hot water and forms a chamber that allows the piston seal to expand for sealing. The slide drawer is the region where the coffee is extracted and the crema is created. The claimed invention differs from that previously known in the art in that it does not employ a mechanical locking system but rather a hydraulic system for locking. This results in a tighter and more secure lock fit of the brew chamber than previously has been known in the art. In addition, because a hydraulic system for locking is used, locking of the brew chamber is accomplished without manual force.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage comprising a holder (14) with an inner space (S) for accommodating at least one container (11) with a soluble or ex-tractable product to obtain said beverage, wherein said inner space has a non-planar surface (20) defining at least a first holding structure (21) and a second holding structure (22), respectively arranged to hold containers (11A; 11B) of at least a first dimension (D1) and a second dimension (D2), as defined by an edge (23) of said containers, substantially along said edge of said containers. Accordingly, an apparatus is provided that allows to hold a plurality of containers 11 of different dimensions while maintaining appropriate extraction characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2), preferably with a froth layer (4), comprising a liquid storage tank (6), a valve device (8) and a heating device (9). The valve device is arranged to receive unheated liquid (U) from said liquid storage tank and to provide said unheated liquid to said heating system to obtain heated liquid for preparing said beverage. By rearranging the various components of the apparatus (1) such that the valve device (8) is at least partly arranged in the cold water circuit of the apparatus, the deposit of calcium in the valve device is reduced or eliminated. The invention further relates to a valve device (8) and a method for preparing a beverage.

Abstract: This invention uses a hydraulic system to seal the brew chamber of a coffee maker. The sealing mechanism consists of a heating part, sealing part and slider drawer. The heating part provides the hot water and forms a chamber that allows the piston seal to expand for sealing. The slide drawer is the region where the coffee is extracted and the crema is created. The claimed invention differs from that previously known in the art in that it does not employ a mechanical locking system but rather a hydraulic system for locking. This results in a tighter and more secure lock fit of the brew chamber than previously has been known in the art. In addition, because a hydraulic system for locking is used, locking of the brew chamber is accomplished without manual force.

Abstract: A coffee maker with a water reservoir (4) provided with a filling opening (41) and a reservoir outlet (11); a heater-pump (12) for heating and supplying water with an inlet (14) which is connected to said reservoir outlet (11) and with an outlet (15); a filter holder (5) with a filter inlet (51) connected to said heater-pump (12) and a filter outlet (52), which filter holder has an upper portion (54) having a larger horizontal cross-sectional surface area than a lower portion (55) thereof; and at least in the operating condition, a coffee jug (9) under said filter holder (5), which coffee jug has an inflow opening for brewed coffee downstream of said filter outlet (52), wherein at least a portion of the water reservoir (4) is located next to the filter holder (5); the portion of the water reservoir (4) located next to said filter holder (5) at a level of said lower portion (55) of said filter holder extending to below said upper portion (54) of said filter holder.