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 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: 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 capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening at one location and an aperture at another location. Ingredients are disposed within the interior space for preparing a desired product. A cover is disposed over the opening and an aperture cover is disposed over the aperture. The aperture cover is adapted to open at least partially during use of the capsule in the machine to permit the consumable product to be dispensed.

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: A beverage capsule is provided having a body, a filter disposed in the body, ingredients disposed in the filter and a cover. The body includes a side wall that extends from an end wall to an opening that is covered by the cover. A boss extends into the interior space from the end wall inwardly of an extraction region. In one embodiment, the boss defines an engagement surface having a plurality of arms adapted for engaging a bottom portion of the filter during use. In another embodiment, the boss engages the filter to define a tented filter zone wherein an inner portion of the filter is spaced a further distance from the end wall than an outer portion of the filter. In another embodiment, a diffusing surface is disposed in the body downstream of where a fluid is intended to enter the opening of the capsule during use with a beverage preparing machine, the diffusing surface being adapted to redirect fluid that engages the diffusing surface to desired locations within the capsule.

Abstract: A beverage capsule is provided for use in a beverage preparing machine. The beverage capsule includes a body having a sidewall and a base defining an interior space. A first opening is defined at one end of the body and a second opening is defined at an opposing end of the body. A first cover covers the first opening and a second cover covers the second opening. A filter is disposed in the interior space a pre-determined distance away from the second opening. Ingredients, such as ground coffee beans, are disposed in the interior space between the first opening and the filter for preparing a desired beverage, wherein the ingredients have a statistical arithmetic mean particle size that is greater than 600 microns.

Abstract: A beverage capsule has a body, a filter disposed in the body, ingredients disposed in the filter and a cover. The body includes a side wall that extends from an end wall to an opening that is covered by the cover. A boss extends into the interior space from the end wall inwardly of an extraction region. In one embodiment, the boss defines an engagement surface having a plurality of arms for engaging a bottom portion of the filter during use. In another embodiment, the boss engages the filter to define a tented filter zone wherein an inner portion of the filter is spaced a further distance from the end wall than an outer portion of the filter. In another embodiment, a diffusing surface is disposed in the body downstream of where a fluid is intended to enter the opening of the capsule during use with a beverage preparing machine.

Abstract: A beverage capsule has a body, a filter disposed in the body, ingredients disposed in the filter and a cover. The body includes a side wall that extends from an end wall to an opening that is covered by the cover. A boss extends into the interior space from the end wall inwardly of an extraction region. In one embodiment, the boss defines an engagement surface having a plurality of arms for engaging a bottom portion of the filter during use. In another embodiment, the boss engages the filter to define a tented filter zone wherein an inner portion of the filter is spaced a further distance from the end wall than an outer portion of the filter. In another embodiment, a diffusing surface is disposed in the body downstream of where a fluid is intended to enter the opening of the capsule during use with a beverage preparing machine.

Abstract: A beverage capsule is provided for use in a beverage preparing machine. The beverage capsule includes a body having a sidewall and a base defining an interior space. A first opening is defined at one end of the body and a second opening is defined at an opposing end of the body. A first cover covers the first opening and a second cover covers the second opening. A filter is disposed in the interior space a pre-determined distance away from the second opening. Ingredients, such as ground coffee beans, are disposed in the interior space between the first opening and the filter for preparing a desired beverage, wherein the ingredients have a statistical arithmetic mean particle size that is greater than 600 microns.