Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.

1 . A method for filtering liquid dispensed from a liquid dispenser having a liquid flow path in fluid communication with a dispensing area, comprising:
 a. directing liquid from a source through a liquid distributor having:
 i. an inlet adapted for fluid communication with the source; and 
 ii. an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the beverage receiving point; 
   b. removably placing a liquid conditioning component in the liquid flow path;   c. filtering liquid by passing through the liquid conditioning component; and   d. dispensing filtered liquids at the dispensing area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising capturing with the liquid conditioning component an unwanted constituent in liquids from the source. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising capturing filtered liquids at an outlet on the liquid conditioning component. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising removing the liquid conditioning component from the flow path to dispense unfiltered liquids at the dispensing area. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising holding the liquid conditioning component in the liquid flow path at the outlet of the liquid distributor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising housing filter media within a portion of the liquid conditioning component. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising attaching the liquid conditioning component to a module housing the liquid distributor. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for conditioning liquids dispensed from a liquid dispenser having a liquid flow path with a liquid outlet in fluid communication with a dispensing area, comprising:
 a liquid distributor in the flow path having:
 a. an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a source of liquid; and 
 b. an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the dispensing area; 
   a liquid conditioning component removably held in the flow path at the liquid distributor;   a filter portion in the liquid conditioning component for filtering dispensed liquids.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the liquid conditioning component includes an inlet removably mated to the outlet of the liquid distributor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the filter portion includes a hollow body housing filtering media to remove unwanted constituents from dispensed liquids. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the liquid conditioning component includes at least one connector for removably securing the liquid filtering component at the outlet of the liquid distributor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the liquid distributor comprises a module removably held in the liquid flow path. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the liquid conditioning component is removably held in the liquid flow path by the module. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for filtering liquid dispensed from a refrigerator liquid dispenser having a liquid flow path with a liquid outlet in fluid communication with a dispensing area, comprising:
 a liquid distribution component having:
 a. an adapter portion with at least one connector for removably holding the liquid distribution component in the liquid flow path at the liquid outlet of the refrigerator liquid dispenser; and 
 b. a liquid filter portion for removing unwanted constituents from liquids dispensed from the refrigerator liquid dispenser. 
   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the liquid distribution component has a plurality of liquid flow paths each having:
 a. an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a source of liquid at the refrigerator liquid dispenser; and 
 b. an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the dispensing area; 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein at least one of liquid flow paths in the liquid distribution component includes the liquid filter portion. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the liquid distribution component includes at least one connector for removably holding the liquid distribution component in the liquid flow path at the liquid outlet of the refrigerator liquid dispenser. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the connector is configured to retrofittably secure the liquid distribution component to one or more stock component features of the refrigerator liquid dispenser. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the liquid filter portion includes at least one connector for removably holding the liquid filter portion in the liquid flow path at the liquid distribution component. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the liquid filter portion includes a hollow body housing filtering media.