Moving inlet nozzles in beverage systems

Abstract

The brewing system disclosed herein includes a moving inlet nozzle for use in intermixing hot water and coffee in a coffee cartridge. The inlet nozzle may include one or more flow ports that inject hot water into an inner chamber of the coffee cartridge at select angles, locations and pressures to create the desired fluidized mixture of hot water and beverage medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single-serve beverage making device, comprising:
 a pump; and   a beverage head coupled to the pump, the beverage head comprising:
 a receptacle, in which the receptacle is configured to selectively receive a sealed container within the receptacle of the beverage head when the beverage head is in a first position, the sealed container comprising an outer surface and an inner volume, wherein the sealed container is configured to contain a quantity of beverage medium within the inner volume of the sealed container; 
 an inlet nozzle coupled to the beverage head, the inlet nozzle configured to pass through the outer surface of the sealed container to couple at least a portion of the inlet nozzle to the inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in a second position, the pump configured to deliver at least a first fluid to the quantity of beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed container in the receptacle of the beverage head through the inlet nozzle while the beverage head is in the second position, such that an at least second fluid comprising at least a portion of the at least first fluid and at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium is created during operation of the single-serve beverage making device, the receptacle configured to maintain the sealed container substantially stationary with respect to the single-serve beverage device while the beverage head is in the second position; and 
 an outlet conduit, coupled to the beverage head and configured to be coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container of beverage medium, in which the outlet conduit is configured to direct at least a portion of the second fluid to a receptacle external to the beverage head, wherein the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively rotate with respect to the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container and is configured to selectively rotate for at least a portion of the time the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively vibrate while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the selective vibration of the inlet nozzle occurring for at least a portion of the time when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container. 
     
     
         3 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , in which the rotation of the inlet nozzle comprises a rotational motion in more than one direction of rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises an outer shaft coupled to the outer surface of the sealed container and an inner platform wherein the inner platform rotates with respect to the outer shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one flow port, in which the at least one flow port is configured to assist in the creation of the at least one second fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one channel, the at least one channel configured to direct the at least first fluid when the inlet nozzle is coupled to the inner chamber of the beverage container. 
     
     
         7 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one serration. 
     
     
         8 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller coupled to the inlet nozzle, in which the controller is configured to change a speed of the rotation of the inlet nozzle while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the controller configured to change the speed of the rotation of the inlet nozzle when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         9 . A single-serve beverage making device, comprising:
 a pump; and   a beverage head coupled to the pump, the beverage head comprising:
 a receptacle, in which the receptacle is configured to selectively receive a sealed container within the receptacle of the beverage head when the beverage head is in a first position, the sealed container comprising an outer surface and an inner volume, wherein the sealed container is configured to contain a quantity of beverage medium within the inner volume of the sealed container; 
 an inlet nozzle coupled to the beverage head, the inlet nozzle configured to pass through the outer surface of the sealed container to couple at least a portion of the inlet nozzle to the inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in a second position, the pump configured to deliver at least a first fluid to the quantity of beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed container in the receptacle of the beverage head through the inlet nozzle while the beverage head is in the second position, such that an at least second fluid comprising at least a portion of the at least first fluid and at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium is created during operation of the single-serve beverage making device, the receptacle configured to maintain the sealed container substantially stationary with respect to the single-serve beverage device while the beverage head is in the second position; and 
 an outlet conduit, coupled to the beverage head and configured to be coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container of beverage medium, in which the outlet conduit is configured to direct at least a portion of the second fluid to a receptacle external to the beverage head, wherein the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively move with respect to the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container and the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively move for at least a portion of the time the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container. 
   
     
     
         10 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively move while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle comprising at least one of a selective rotational motion, a selective vibrational motion, and a selective nutational motion, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle occurring for at least a portion of the time when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         11 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , in which the selective movement of the inlet nozzle comprises a rotational motion in more than one direction of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises an outer shaft coupled to the outer surface of the sealed container and an inner platform wherein the inner platform rotates with respect to the outer shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one flow port, in which the at least one flow port is configured to assist in the creation of the at least one second fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one channel, the at least one channel configured to direct the at least first fluid when the inlet nozzle is coupled to the inner chamber of the beverage container. 
     
     
         15 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one serration. 
     
     
         16 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 9 , further comprising a controller, coupled to the inlet nozzle, in which the controller is configured to change the selective motion of the inlet nozzle while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the controller configured to change the selective motion of the inlet nozzle for at least a portion of the time when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         17 . A single-serve beverage making device, comprising:
 a pump; and   a beverage head coupled to the pump, the beverage head comprising:
 a receptacle, in which the receptacle is configured to selectively receive a sealed container within the receptacle of the beverage head when the beverage head is in a first position, the sealed container comprising an outer surface and an inner volume, wherein the sealed container is configured to contain a quantity of beverage medium within the inner volume of the sealed container; 
 an inlet nozzle coupled to the beverage head, the inlet nozzle configured to pass through the outer surface of the sealed container to couple at least a portion of the inlet nozzle to the inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in a second position, the pump configured to deliver at least a first fluid to the quantity of beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed container in the receptacle of the beverage head through the inlet nozzle while the beverage head is in the second position, such that an at least second fluid comprising at least a portion of the at least first fluid and at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium is created during operation of the single-serve beverage making device, the receptacle configured to maintain the sealed container substantially stationary with respect to the single-serve beverage device while the beverage head is in the second position; and 
 an outlet conduit, coupled to the beverage head and configured to be coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container of beverage medium, in which the outlet conduit is configured to direct at least a portion of the second fluid to a receptacle external to the beverage head, wherein the pump is configured to selectively provide the at least first fluid to the at least one flow port such that the at least one flow port is selectively activated while in contact with the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container, and for at least a portion of the time when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container for at least a portion of a time that the beverage head is in the second position. 
   
     
     
         18 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 17 , in which the pump is variably energized to pulse the at least first fluid through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         19 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 17 , in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively move while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle comprising at least one of a selective rotational motion, a selective vibrational motion, and a selective nutational motion, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle configured to occur when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         20 . The single-serve beverage making device of  claim 17 , further comprising a controller, coupled to the inlet nozzle, the controller configured to change the selective motion of the inlet nozzle while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the controller changing the selective motion of the inlet nozzle when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a pump; and   a receptacle, coupled to the pump and configured to selectively receive a slurry within the receptacle;   an inlet nozzle coupled between the receptacle and the pump, the pump configured to deliver at least a first solvent to the slurry in the receptacle through the inlet nozzle, such that at least one solution, comprising at least a portion of the at least first solvent and at least one solute from the slurry, is created; and   an outlet conduit coupled to the receptacle and configured to direct at least a portion of the solution external to the receptacle, in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively move while delivering the at least first solvent to the slurry to infuse the solution with the at least one solute.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively rotate while delivering the at least first solvent to the slurry. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively vibrate while delivering the at least first solvent to the slurry. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle is configured to selectively rotate in a plurality of directions while delivering the at least first solvent to the slurry. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises an outer shaft and an inner platform. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one flow port, in which the at least one flow port is configured to assist in the creation of the at least one solution. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one channel configured to selectively direct the at least first solvent into contact with the slurry to control the extraction of the at least one solute. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one serration. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a controller, coupled to the inlet nozzle, in which the controller is configured to change a motion of the inlet nozzle to affect the motion of the slurry. 
     
     
         30 . A method for making a solution, comprising:
 configuring a beverage head comprising a receptacle to selectively receive a sealed container when the beverage head is in a first position;   configuring an inlet nozzle to pass through an outer surface of the sealed container and coupling at least a portion of the inlet nozzle to an inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in a second position;   delivering at least a first fluid to a beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed container through the inlet nozzle;   selectively rotating the inlet nozzle with respect to the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container, and when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container for at least a portion of a time that the beverage head is in the second position;   creating an at least second fluid comprising at least a portion of the at least first fluid and at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium during operation of the single-serve beverage making device;   coupling an outlet conduit to the inner volume of the sealed container of beverage medium; and   directing at least a portion of the second fluid through the outlet conduit to a receptacle external to the beverage head.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising configuring the inlet nozzle to selectively move while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle comprising at least one of a selective vibrational motion and a selective nutational motion, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle occurring for at least a portion of the time when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flow port. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , in which the selective rotation of the inlet nozzle comprises rotation in more than one direction of rotation. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises an outer shaft coupled to the outer surface of the sealed container and an inner platform wherein the inner platform rotates with respect to the outer shaft. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one flow port, in which the at least one flow port is configured to assist in the creation of the at least one second fluid. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising configuring a controller to change the selective motion of the inlet nozzle while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealed container for at least a portion of the time when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container. 
     
     
         36 . A solute extraction device, comprising:
 a receptacle configured to selectively contain a slurry;   a conduit coupled to the beverage head, the conduit configured to selectively deliver at least one solvent to the slurry while the slurry is contained within the receptacle; and   an outlet, coupled to the receptacle, in which the outlet is configured to deliver at least one solution comprising at least a portion of the at least one solvent and at least one solute extracted from the slurry external to the receptacle, in which the conduit, via the delivery of the at least one solvent or otherwise, is further configured to agitate the slurry while the slurry is contained in the receptacle.   
     
     
         37 . The solute extraction device of  claim 36 , the conduit further comprising a nozzle, in which the conduit agitates the slurry at least in part by selectively moving the nozzle. 
     
     
         38 . The solute extraction device of  claim 37 , in which the selective motion of the nozzle comprising at least one of a selective rotational motion, a selective vibrational motion, and a selective nutational motion, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle configured to occur when the at least one solvent is being delivered to the slurry. 
     
     
         39 . The solute extraction device of  claim 37 , further comprising a controller, coupled to the conduit, the controller configured to change the selective motion of the inlet nozzle to control at least one of an amount, a type, and a concentration of the solute infused into the at least one solution. 
     
     
         40 . The solute extraction device of  claim 39 , in which the controller is further configured to change at least one of the selective motion, a time, and a type of selective motion based at least in part on a type of the slurry. 
     
     
         41 . A device, comprising:
 a beverage head comprising:
 a receptacle, in which the receptacle is configured to selectively receive a slurry within the receptacle of the beverage head when the beverage head is in a first position, the slurry comprising a quantity of beverage medium; 
 an inlet nozzle, coupled to the receptacle, the inlet nozzle configured to deliver at least one solvent to the slurry when the beverage head is in a second position such that at least one solution comprising at least a portion of the at least one solvent and at least a portion of one solute of the slurry is created during operation of the device, in which the receptacle is further configured to contain the slurry and the at least one solvent for at least a first period of time to assist the at least one solvent in extracting the at least one solute; 
 an outlet conduit, coupled to the receptacle, in which the outlet conduit is configured to direct at least a portion of the at least one solution to a receptacle external to the beverage head; and 
 a processor, coupled to the inlet nozzle, for controlling a selective rotation of the inlet nozzle with respect to the slurry while the inlet nozzle is proximate the slurry for at least a portion of the time the at least one solvent is being delivered to the slurry. 
   
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the receptacle is configured to selectively receive the slurry when the slurry is contained in a beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the receptacle is configured to be in contact with the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the receptacle is configured to selectively receive the slurry when the slurry is contained in a sealed beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the receptacle is configured to selectively receive the slurry when the slurry is contained in a sealed beverage cartridge comprising a filter. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein the outlet nozzle is configured to contact an inner volume of the sealed beverage cartridge when the beverage head is in the second position. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the inlet nozzle is configured to contact the inner volume of the sealed beverage cartridge when the beverage head is in the second position. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein the beverage head is configured to hold the sealed beverage cartridge substantially stationary with respect to the device for at least a portion of the time that the at least first solvent is delivered. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the processor is further configured to move the inlet nozzle to agitate the slurry while coupled to the inner volume of the sealed beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the processor is configured to move the inlet nozzle to agitate the slurry by motion of the inlet nozzle while the inlet nozzle is coupled to the inner volume of the sealed beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the inlet nozzle further comprises a plurality of flow ports. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 51 , wherein the plurality of flow ports are staggered on a length of the inlet nozzle to assist in agitation of the slurry. 
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is further configured to control a speed of the rotational motion of the inlet nozzle. 
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein the processor is configured to control the speed of the rotational motion of the inlet nozzle such that the inlet nozzle rotationally moves only for a portion of a time the inlet nozzle is proximate the slurry. 
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 54 , wherein the receptacle is configured to selectively receive a slurry comprising ground coffee beans. 
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the inlet nozzle is configured to deliver at least one solvent comprising water to the slurry. 
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 56 , wherein the receptacle is configured to selectively receive a slurry comprising ground coffee beans contained within the sealed container. 
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the beverage head is configured to separate at least a portion of the ground coffee beans from the at least one solution. 
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 58 , wherein the inlet nozzle is configured to deliver at least one solvent comprising heated water to the slurry. 
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one solution comprises coffee.