A beverage brewing package includes a cup and a sealant film. The cup may be formed by a thermoforming process.

Methods, apparatus, and system to distribute or compact coffee grounds, such as to form a puck in a portafilter. The methods, apparatus, and system may be used to compact coffee grounds wherein a resulting puck of coffee grounds in the portafilter has an even level, a uniform and or continuous density distribution, results in no or reduced formation of channels, no or reduced squirting of extracted coffee, and results in consistent and repeatable results. The methods, apparatus, and system may be used to form multiple layers in a puck, for use in preparing layered espresso.

The beverage brewing device, which is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe, includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.

A scoop and level for scooping a portion of granulated material and leveling the contents of the scoop. The scoop may have a volume suitable for brewing a single serving of brewed beverage, and in particular, for brewing a single serving of espresso. The lever is attached to the scoop and slides over the scoop to displace excess material, thus providing a desired amount material for precessing, for example, for preparing a beverage. A scoop handle may further include a tamper opposite to the scoop. The tamper may be used to tamp brewing material after scooping, leveling, and pouring the brewing material into a holder.

A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

A coffee machine comprises a main body (2) and a heating device (25), wherein a funnel device for coffee brewing that includes a funnel main body (17), a funnel upper cover (6) and an assembly of funnel lower cover is also provided on the main body (2) of the coffee machine. The assembly of funnel lower cover comprises a funnel lower cover (14), and a shower piece (15) which is fixed on the bottom of the funnel lower cover (14) and makes water uniformly submerge coffee powder in the funnel main body (17). A water inlet joint (6.4) which is connected with water passage of the coffee machine is provided on the funnel upper cover (6), and a water outlet joint (15.1) which is connected with the shower piece (15) is provided on the funnel lower cover (14). The water inlet joint (6.4) is connected with the water outlet joint (15.1) through a connecting pipe (15.2). The funnel upper cover (6) is connected with the funnel main body (17), and the funnel lower cover (14) is movably connected with the funnel upper cover (6). A funnel spring (13) with low-pressure function to the coffee powder is provided between the funnel upper cover (6) and the funnel lower cover (14). A funnel mandrel (6.2) that can open a one-way valve device disposed on the front part of the coffee main body (2) is provided on the front end of the funnel upper cover (6), and the one-way valve device is connected with an inner water outlet of the coffee main body (2).

A coffee machine comprises a main body (2) and a heating device (25), wherein a funnel device for coffee brewing that includes a funnel main body (17), a funnel upper cover (6) and an assembly of funnel lower cover is also provided on the main body (2) of the coffee machine. The assembly of funnel lower cover comprises a funnel lower cover (14), and a shower piece (15) which is fixed on the bottom of the funnel lower cover (14) and makes water uniformly submerge coffee powder in the funnel main body (17). A water inlet joint (6.4) which is connected with water passage of the coffee machine is provided on the funnel upper cover (6), and a water outlet joint (15.1) which is connected with the shower piece (15) is provided on the funnel lower cover (14). The water inlet joint (6.4) is connected with the water outlet joint (15.1) through a connecting pipe (15.2). The funnel upper cover (6) is connected with the funnel main body (17), and the funnel lower cover (14) is movably connected with the funnel upper cover (6). A funnel spring (13) with low-pressure function to the coffee powder is provided between the funnel upper cover (6) and the funnel lower cover (14). A funnel mandrel (6.2) that can open a one-way valve device disposed on the front part of the coffee main body (2) is provided on the front end of the funnel upper cover (6), and the one-way valve device is connected with an inner water outlet of the coffee main body (2).

A multi-mode coffee maker facilitates switching between a carafe mode and a single cup mode. The coffee maker includes switches for selecting the amount of coffee brewed, a drip valve normally closed to prevent dripping and opened by insertion of a carafe or a single cup adapter into the coffee maker, and a hot plate for maintaining the temperature of coffee in the carafe, the hot plate independent switchable on and off. An upper edge of the carafe, and an arm reaching from the single cup adapter, engage a lever opening the drip valve. The hot plate may be manually turned on and off, or the single cup adapter may cooperate with a switch in the coffee maker to turn the hot plate off.

A beverage brewing device includes a water tank, a base, a filter, a plug assembly, and an actuator mechanism. The base supports the water tank above a support surface. The plug assembly connects with the water tank and is operable between an open operating position in which water can flow from the water tank through the plug assembly and a closed operating position in which water is precluded from flowing through the plug assembly. The actuator mechanism is movable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The actuator mechanism is cooperates with the plug assembly such that when in the first operating position the plug assembly is in the closed operating position and when in the second operating position the plug assembly is in the open operating position. The actuator mechanism includes an operator actuated surface that is accessible from an exterior of the base.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a beverage in a machine (1), preferably an automated capsule-based brewing machine, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) introducing liquid and infusible beverage material into an infusion chamber (10) of the machine so as to brew the beverage; and then b) opening a passage (29) in the machine for a dispensing time to allow the brewed beverage to flow under force of gravity from the infusion chamber (10) to a dispensing orifice (40); wherein in step (b) the flow resistance of the passage (29) is decreased during the dispensing time.