A machine for dispensing coffee comprising: includes at least one pump, at least one heating device, and at least one delivery group. The pump sends pressurized water to the delivery group, and the heating device heats the water sent to the delivery group.

The machine further includes at least one container of ground coffee; and a dispensing opening adapted to deliver, into a cup, coffee obtained by percolating the pressurized heated water through a dose of coffee powder in the container, wherein the coffee includes liquid coffee and coffee cream;

The machine includes, in proximity of the dispensing opening, a coffee quality optical sensor adapted to intercept the coffee flow exiting the dispensing opening which detection is processed by a processing and control unit to generate a signal indicative of the properties of the coffee cream and/or a signal proportional to the extraction of coffee in the liquid coffee.

The present disclosure provides: a biodegradable nonwoven fabric for thermoforming, the biodegradable nonwoven fabric being composed of a fiber of a polylactic acid-based polymer, and having a basis weight of 20-300 g/m.sup.2, preferably, a biodegradable nonwoven fabric characterized by being composed of a long fiber of a polylactic acid polymer, having an MD-direction elongation of 50% or more at 120° C., and having an MD-direction dimensional change rate of ±4% or less at 80-140° C. as determined by thermomechanical analysis; a method for producing a molded body by using said biodegradable nonwoven fabric; and a method for molding a biodegradable beverage extraction container, the method being characterized in that the molded body has an MD-direction elongation change rate of 4% or less, as determined by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) under a load of 0.05 N/2 mm at 30-100° C.

The present disclosure provides: a biodegradable nonwoven fabric for thermoforming, the biodegradable nonwoven fabric being composed of a fiber of a polylactic acid-based polymer, and having a basis weight of 20-300 g/m.sup.2, preferably, a biodegradable nonwoven fabric characterized by being composed of a long fiber of a polylactic acid polymer, having an MD-direction elongation of 50% or more at 120° C., and having an MD-direction dimensional change rate of ±4% or less at 80-140° C. as determined by thermomechanical analysis; a method for producing a molded body by using said biodegradable nonwoven fabric; and a method for molding a biodegradable beverage extraction container, the method being characterized in that the molded body has an MD-direction elongation change rate of 4% or less, as determined by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) under a load of 0.05 N/2 mm at 30-100° C.

A method for brewing Japanese-style iced coffee with a single-serve beverage dispenser includes dispensing heated water onto coffee grounds disposed within a brew chamber of a brew module, flowing brewed coffee from the brew chamber into an ice chamber of an iced coffee module, the brewed coffee flowing over ice within the ice chamber, and flowing the iced brewed coffee from the ice chamber into a container. A related single-serve beverage dispenser is also provided.

The present invention refers to systems and process associated with beverage preparation based upon the extraction of a single portion (1) of a pre-measured quantity of precursor substance in a brewing apparatus (4), whereby said single portion (1) resents a compostable confinement (2) and can be collected inside of a portion holder (3) that is adapted so that can be retained inside a cavity of said brewing apparatus (4). In particular, the present invention relates addresses the problem of ensuring effective and reliable retention of the portion holder (3) on the brewing apparatus (4).

A portafilter for use with an espresso coffee machine includes a handle, a receptacle, and a top cover. The receptacle has a void or reservoir that contains a single-use coffee cartridge (e.g., a K-CUP® cartridge). A bottom surface of the receptacle has needles directed into the void or reservoir which pierce a bottom surface of the cartridge, thereby creating holes in the bottom of the cartridge to allow liquid (e.g., hot coffee) to flow out of the cartridge. A hole in the bottom surface of the receptacle allows liquid hot coffee to flow out of the receptacle and into a coffee cup. The top cover includes tubular protrusions directed downward which pierce a top surface of the cartridge, thereby creating holes in the top surface of the cartridge to allow hot water from the espresso machine to flow through the tubes and into the top of the cartridge.

A coffee maker and coffee holder cooperate to tamp coffee in the coffee holder. The coffee holder may include a top tamping spring, a bottom tamping spring, or a top or bottom passage allowing entry of a tamper into the coffee holder. The coffee maker includes an actuator above or below the coffee holder, or a fixed tamper attached to a ceiling or platform of the coffee maker. The coffee holder may be inserted between the ceiling and platform, or into a moving drawer of the coffee maker. The actuator may be a solenoid actuator or a hydraulic actuator actuated by water pressure of heated water used for brewing.

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 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.

Automated replenishment of consumables is a growing area of interest for customers and businesses alike, in that it has the potential to both improve customer satisfaction and create a steady stream of orders for a consumable service or product. As recognized herein, kitchen appliances, including those for dispensing beverages, present specific challenges to integration with a replenishment service, especially where multiple packages or formats of consumables may be utilized by a single kitchen appliance. Aspects provided herein include methods, systems, and devices for tracking consumption of foodstuffs prepared by a kitchen appliance, including either counting discrete quantities of foodstuffs or estimating non-discrete quantities. A signal requesting replenishment of at least one foodstuff may be transmitted to a replenishment server based on the counting and/or estimating.

A beverage brewer includes a brewing chamber, a hollow injection nozzle, a rotation member, and a motor. The brewing chamber is configured to receive and hold a brewing cartridge. The injection nozzle is arranged in fluid communication with a liquid supply and configured to enter a brewing cartridge when the brewing cartridge is disposed in the brewing chamber and to provide fluid communication from the liquid supply to an interior of the brewing cartridge. The rotation member is arranged at a periphery of the brewing chamber. The motor is configured to rotate the rotation member. The beverage brewer can also include a hollow extraction nozzle arranged opposite an opening of the brewing chamber and configured to enter the brewing cartridge when the brewing cartridge is disposed in the brewing chamber and to provide fluid communication from an interior of the brewing cartridge to an exterior of the brewing chamber.