An automatic beverage system for producing a hot flavored beverage. The system includes a base unit having a water reservoir, a control system for heating liquid from the reservoir, a cartridge arm having a water injector and a cartridge holder, a pump and tubing system connecting the water reservoir to the cartridge holder and used to move water, the control system housed within the base unit and coupled to the heating element and pump to control temperature and movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the cartridge holder, and a container base positioned in an area adjacent the base unit and below the cartridge holder. The cartridge holder is adapted to receive interchangeable cartridges depending on the type and size of beverage desired. The interchangeable cartridges include a water cartridge, a pod cartridge, and a grounds cartridge.

An electric hot beverage brewer (20) with a duty cycle modulated DC voltage dispense pump (44) with an inlet (46) connected to a de-aerator (24) and beneath a lower limit and an outlet (48) located above an upper limit the surface a hot water tank (22) is finely controlled by a high frequency pulse-width, modulated, square power input voltage (FIG. 2) with a duty cycle controlled in accordance with predetermined profiles stored within a controller (28) to selectively change the flow rate out of the pump onto a distribution dome (50) during a dispense period of a brew cycle to achieve optimum brewing of different types of beverage ingredients and varieties of the different types and to selectively change the spray pattern of hot water onto the ingredient (53) within the basket assembly (52) between vertical and acute angles including acute angles that pass hot water into a bypass gap (56).

A liquid-dispersion member includes inlet and dispersal chambers. The inlet chamber has a sidewall and an open end to receive a nozzle. The dispersal chamber extends from the inlet chamber and includes a distal wall having ports, and a sidewall having a distal rim attached to the distal wall and a proximal rim that can couple to a brewing material holder lid. A brewing material holder lid assembly includes a brewing material holder lid and the liquid-dispersion member. The proximal rim can be attached to the brewing material holder lid with an opening arranged in fluid communication with the open end of the inlet chamber. A brewing material holder includes a receptacle for holding brewing material, and the brewing material holder lid assembly. The brewing material holder lid can be coupled to an open end of the receptacle to extend the liquid-dispersion member within the interior of the receptacle.

Apparatus and methods are provided for extracting compounds from raw materials. One such apparatus may include an extraction column where it is a one column, one pass design capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressure. Additionally, the extraction column may also be capable of containing a self-perpetuating energy cycle used to achieve the required solubilization and mass transfer temperatures necessary for optimal extraction. The apparatus may also include a first opening and a second opening to control the flow of incoming solvent and filter extraneous sediment trapped within the fully extracted effluent. Additionally, the apparatus may be configured to create a self-perpetuating and self-sustaining energy cycle by manipulating the pressure and temperature generated within the apparatus. While the generated temperatures may help achieve a dynamic and efficient extraction process, a trailing cool layer of solvent is also present to effectively preserve the heat sensitive compounds extracted from the raw materials.

A method and apparatus for extracting compounds from raw materials with an extraction column is provided. The control and manipulation of pressure exerted and contained within the extraction vessel or column may be vital in obtaining a certain flavor profile or intensity of the effluent extracted from the raw materials. As such, the method may include directing a flow of pressurized solvent into a base of the extraction column and utilizing the flow of pressurized solvent to create a pressure gradient applied to the raw materials. The method may further include compressing the raw materials with hydraulic compression. As the raw materials become further compressed, frictional heating may result allowing most, if not all, of the volatile aromatic heat sensitive compounds and constituencies to be extracted depending on the pressure strength applied to the raw materials. As such, manipulating the pressure gradients for each extraction process allows for distinct and specific flavor profiles to be extracted from the raw materials.

A coffee machine includes a device for generating hot water, a device for distributing the hot water and a filter basket arranged below the distribution device into which a filter containing coffee grounds can be inserted. The distribution device includes a rotatably positioned outlet member with at least two outlet openings which can be rotated by a drive during a brewing operation. Also disclosed is a method for brewing coffee for which an outlet member is rotated above a filter basket.

Provided is a beverage extraction apparatus including a water tank for storing water, a heater configured to heat the water supplied from the water tank, and a water distribution module configured to discharge the heated water toward the dripper from a plurality of locations. The water distribution module includes a water outlet member including a water outlet plate and a plurality of water outlets provided to pass through the water outlet plate, and the water distribution module is configured such that discharge times at which water begins to be discharged from the plurality of water outlets are different.

A water distributing device is adapted for use in a coffee machine, and includes a body housing and a round-contoured flow channel unit. The body housing includes a bottom wall and a surrounding wall cooperatively defining a water entry space. The bottom wall has a water intake passing therethrough along a central axis. The flow channel unit is disposed downstream of the body housing, and defines a plurality of water guide channels. Each water guide channel extends away from the central axis in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis, is curved in a tangential direction perpendicular to the central axis and the radial direction, and has a water outlet located away from the central axis.

The present invention relates to a beverage machine. The beverage machine comprises a brewing unit (10) with (i) a main body (12) defining a hollow (14) for receiving a portable capsule holder (18) and (ii) a lid (20) connected to the main body (12) for opening and closing the hollow (14). The beverage machine comprises a portable capsule holder (18) that is configured to receive a capsule (50) which encapsulates an extractable food product. The brewing unit (10) and the portable capsule holder (18) cooperate together in a manner that is regarding the liquid flow similar as a fountain.

A brewing material holder includes a closed bottom water dispersing member including ports providing streams of water from just under a holder lid bottom, for uniformly dispersing water into the brewing material in the holder. When water is injected into the holder, the flow of water is captured in the water dispersion member and directed up to the ports and sprayed horizontally or vertically into the brewing material, and sinks into brewing material contained in the brewing chamber. The water dispersion member may be attached to the holder lid or be part of the holder lid. A single centered port may be provided in the bottom of the dispensing member provides an additional spray and also helps drain the dispensing member after use.