INTO A BEVERAGE CAPSULE Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/385,523, filed September 9, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Various beverage pod dispensing systems include a pod that contains reconstitutable powder and a delivery device for injecting the pod with a liquid (e.g., water) that mixes with the reconstitutable powder. The powder and liquid mixture exit the pod as a drinkable beverage. Many current systems have a pod with a puncturable cover. The delivery device includes nozzle that punctures the cover and extends into the pod to inject the liquid to mix with the reconstitutable powder into the pod. This configuration leads to the nozzle coming into contact with the reconstitutable powder. In addition to the powder contacting the device due to the device being configured to puncture the cover of the pod, the powder/liquid mixture may also backflow into the nozzle under certain conditions. The delivery device coming unto contact with the contents of the pod can create sanitary concerns.

SUMMARY

[0003] An exemplary beverage pod system includes a pod and a delivery device that is configured to inject fluid into the pod. The pod has a chamber for containing a reconstitutable powder. In addition, the pod has a fluid inlet that includes a burstable seal and an inlet channel, and the inlet channel is disposed between the burstable seal and the chamber. The delivery device includes a check valve, a fluid channel, and a device outlet. The fluid channel is in fluid communication with the check valve, and the device outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The outlet of the delivery device is configured to be attached to the fluid inlet of the pod, such that the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the burstable seal.

[0004] An exemplary method of delivering a liquid to a beverage pod includes placing a liquid source in fluid communication with a liquid inlet of the beverage pod. The pod has a chamber for containing a reconstitutable powder that is connected to the liquid inlet, and the liquid inlet has a pressure seal. In addition, the method includes increasing the liquid pressure at the liquid inlet until a pressure threshold of the pressure seal is exceeded, which causes the pressure seal to burst, and allows liquid into the chamber. Moreover, the method includes capturing a column of liquid at the liquid inlet to prevent the flow of liquid from the beverage pod out of the liquid inlet.

[0005] An exemplary delivery device for a beverage pod system includes a fluid channel, a liquid check valve, an air check valve, and an interface. The fluid channel has a "Y" fitting that includes a liquid inlet and an air inlet. The liquid check valve is in fluid communication with the fluid channel. Liquid is pumped from a liquid pump through the liquid check valve into the liquid inlet of the fluid channel. In addition, air is pumped from an air pump through the air check valve into the air inlet of the fluid channel. The interface comprises an outlet for the delivery device and is configured to attach to a pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary beverage pod system including a pod and a delivery device;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view another exemplary beverage pod system including an exemplary pod and an exemplary delivery device;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2;

[0009] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the exemplary pod of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2; [0010] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the exemplary pod of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2 with a film cover disposed on the top of the pod and over the fluid inlet of the pod;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary pod of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid inlet of the exemplary pod of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a part of the exemplary delivery device of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view an attachment point between the pod and the delivery device of the exemplary beverage pod system of FIG. 2; and

[0015] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of delivering a liquid to a beverage pod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

[0017] In general, beverage pod systems include a pod containing reconstitutable powder, such as, for example, powder for making coffee, tea, hot chocolate, infant formula, nutritional drinks, or the like. In addition, beverage pod systems often include a delivery device that injects a liquid (e.g., water) into the beverage pod system to mix with the reconstitutable powder to create a beverage (e.g., coffee). For sanitation purposes, it is desirable to prevent the powder, in dry or reconstituted form, from coming into contact with the device. In an exemplary embodiment of a beverage pod system of the current disclosure, in order to prevent the device from coming into contact with the contents of the pod, a burstable seal (or a pressure seal) is used, such that the pressure of the liquid being provided by the device is sufficient to rupture the burstable seal of the pod. The use of a burstable seal negates the need of having the delivery device being configured to puncture the film cover of the pod, which prevents the device from coming into contact with the powder.

[0018] In addition, to prevent the contents of the pod from entering into the outlet of the delivery device, in an exemplary embodiment of a beverage pod system of the current disclosure, the delivery device may be configured such that a column of liquid is captured in the outlet of the delivery device and the captured column of liquid extends into the inlet of the pod during operation of the beverage pod system. The column of liquid will prevent the powder from entering the outlet of delivery device because the column of liquid extends past the outlet of the delivery device and into the inlet of the pod and is incompressible such that it prevents the contents of the pod from traveling past the column. During injection of liquid into the pod by the delivery device, a column of liquid extends into the inlet of the pod, and the liquid remains extended into the fluid inlet of the pod until the injection is completed. Additionally, once the injection is completed, and the liquid flow is stopped, the column of liquid remains in place because, in order for the liquid to be displaced, a vacuum would have to form in the delivery device to pull the column of liquid in to the delivery device (and there is insufficient motive force present to create the vacuum). For illustration purposes, an analogous situation occurs when placing a drinking straw into a container of liquid, covering the top opening of the straw to create a seal, and lifting the straw out of the liquid. In this analogous example, the liquid stays inside the drinking straw because a vacuum would be created on the cover at the top of the straw if the liquid exited the straw, and there is insufficient motive force to create the vacuum.

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a beverage pod system 100 including a pod 102 and a delivery device 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery device 104 is attached to the pod 102, but the delivery device 104 and the pod 102 are separate members. The pod 102 has a chamber 106 for containing reconstitutable powder. The delivery device 104 includes, or is in fluid communication with, a fluid source 120 and is configured to attach to the pod 102. The delivery device 104 may attach to the pod 102 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded connection, or any other suitable means. The delivery device 104 injects a fluid (e.g., water) into the pod 102 that mixes with the reconstitutable powder to form a beverage, such as, for example, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, infant formula, nutritional drinks, or the like.

[0020] The pod 102 includes a fluid inlet 108 that is in fluid communication with the delivery device 104 when the delivery device 104 is attached to the pod 102. In certain embodiments, the fluid inlet 108 includes a burstable seal 110 and an inlet channel 112. The burstable seal 110 seals the chamber 106 of the pod 102 to prevent contamination of the reconstitutable powder, and the seal 110 is configured to rupture when pressure applied to the seal 110 exceeds the pressure threshold of the seal 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure threshold of the seal 110 is less than 100 psi, such as, for example, less than about 90 psi, less than about 50 psi, less than about 40 psi, or less than about 30 psi. Additionally, the pressure threshold of the seal 110 may be between about 20 psi and about 100 psi. For example, the pressure threshold of the seal 110 may be between about 30 psi and about 90 psi, between about 40 psi and about 70 psi, or between about 50 psi and about 60 psi. The burstable seal 110 may be made of, for example, foil, thermoplastic film, or the like. Any suitable material may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the burstable seal comprises polypropylene.

[0021] The delivery device 104 includes a check valve 114, a fluid channel 116, and a device outlet 118. The check valve 114 allows fluid to enter the fluid channel 116 from the fluid source 120 and prevents fluid from flowing back through the check valve 114. The check valve 114 may be, any suitable check valve, such as for example, a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, or a swing check valve. The check valve 114 may be integrated within another components, such as for example, in a pump, or may be a separate valve. In an exemplary embodiment, the check valve 114 is configured as a normally-closed valve. After the fluid travels through the check valve 114, the fluid enters and fills the fluid channel 116, and exits the fluid channel 116 through the device outlet 118. When the delivery device 104 is attached to the pod 102, the outlet 118 of the delivery device 104 is in fluid communication with the burstable seal 110 of the pod 102. In certain embodiments, the delivery device 104 includes a pump 121 that pumps fluid from the fluid source 120 through the check valve 114 and into the fluid channel 116. The pump 121 may be any suitable pump for delivering fluid to the pod 102. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the pump 121 is a vibratory solenoid pump. In other embodiments, a pump 121 may not be included. For example, is some embodiments the delivery device 104 may be connected to a pressurized fluid source. [0022] During operation, the delivery device 104 is attached to the pod 102, and the pump 121 pumps the fluid, such as water, from the fluid source 121 through the check valve 114 and into the fluid channel 116. The fluid is prevented from traveling back towards the pump 121 by the check valve 114, and the fluid remains in the fluid channel 116 between the check valve 114 and the burstable seal 110. The fluid remains between the check valve 114 and the burstable seal 110 until the pressure in the fluid channel 116 exceeds the pressure threshold of the burstable seal 110. Once the pressure in the channel 116 exceeds the pressure threshold of the burstable seal 110, the fluid ruptures the burstable seal 110 and enters the chamber 106 of the pod 102 to mix with the reconstitutable powder. The fluid and reconstitutable powder exits the pod 102 through the pod outlet 122 as a beverage.

[0023] In order to keep the reconstituted powder from entering the delivery device 104 through the fluid inlet 108 of the pod 102 and the outlet 118 of the delivery device 104, the delivery device 104 is configured such that, during operation, a column of liquid is formed between the check valve 114 of the delivery device 104 and the fluid inlet 108 of the pod 102. In particular, during delivery of liquid to the pod 102, the a column of liquid extends from the fluid channel 116 of the delivery device 104 into the fluid inlet 108 of the pod 102, which prevents the reconstituted powder from entering the delivery device 104. Once the flow of liquid is stopped, the column of liquid is captured by the check valve 114 and remains extended from the fluid channel 116 of the delivery device 104 and into the fluid inlet 108 of the pod to create a fluid seal on the inlet 124 of the fluid channel 116. The sealing of the inlet 124 of the fluid channel 116 results in the situation described above. In particular, the liquid column is retained in the fluid channel 116 of the delivery device 104 and the fluid inlet 108 of the pod 102 because if the liquid column were to drain from or leave the fluid channel, a vacuum would form at the check valve 114. Since, however, there is insufficient motive force present to create the vacuum, the liquid column remains between the check valve 114 and the fluid inlet 108 of the pod 102. In alternative embodiments, a member other than the check valve 114 may be used to create the seal of the inlet 124 that causes the water column to be formed. Any member capable of closing the flow path within the device 104, such as between the fluid channel 116 and the pump 121, may be used. For example, any suitable type of valve may be used to close the flow path and cause the water column to be formed. [0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet channel 112 of the pod 102 is straight and has a constant diameter D. The size of the diameter D is configured such that the liquid will obtain a desired velocity as it travels from the inlet channel 112 into the chamber 106 of the pod 102. In certain embodiments, the beverage pod system 100 may require that a liquid entering the chamber 106 of the pod 102 have a desired velocity from the inlet channel 112 in order to properly mix with the reconstitutable powder and create a drinkable beverage. In certain embodiments, the size and/or types of fluid pumps 121 used in the beverage pod system 100 is dependent upon the size of the diameter D of the inlet channel 112. In alternative embodiments, the inlet channel 112 may take any form, as long as the diameter D of an outlet 140 of the inlet channel 112 is a suitable size for the liquid to obtain the desired velocity from the inlet channel 112 into the chamber 106 of the pod 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the inlet channel 112 is sized to be the restriction or bottleneck within the system. In some exemplary embodiments, the diameter D of the inlet channel 112 may be less than 1.5 mm, such as less than about 1 mm, or less than about 0.75 mm. In addition, in certain embodiments, the length L of the inlet channel 312 may affect the velocity of the liquid entering the chamber 106 of the pod 102. In order to obtain the desired velocity of the liquid as it enters the chamber 106 of the pod, the length L to diameter D ratio may be between about 2 and about 4, such as between about 2.5 and about 3.5, or such as between about 3 and about 3.3. Moreover, the length L to diameter D ratio may be about 3, about 3.3, or any other ratio that allows for the liquid to obtain a desired velocity as it enters the chamber 106 of the pod 102.

[0025] FIGS. 2-7 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a beverage pod system 200 having a pod 202 and a delivery device 204. The delivery device 204 is configured to attach to the pod 202 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by friction fit, snap fit, threaded connection, or any other suitable means. Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the pod 202 includes a chamber 206, a fluid inlet 208, and an outlet 322 (FIG. 3). The pod 202 may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, any suitable thermoplastic polymer, such as for example, a polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer. In addition, the outlet 322 may include a connector 226 for connecting the pod 202 to a beverage dispenser (not shown). The pod 202 may be connected to a beverage dispenser by any suitable means in which the reconstituted powder exits the beverage dispenser as a drinkable beverage. [0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid inlet 208 of the pod 202 includes an open space 328, a burstable seal 310, and an inlet channel 312. The open space 328 of the pod is disposed between the delivery device 204 (when the delivery device 204 is attached to the pod 202) and the burstable seal 310. The open space 328 may take any shape as long as the open space 328 is in fluid communication with the burstable seal 310. The inlet channel 312 is disposed between the burstable seal 310 and the chamber 206, and is in fluid communication with the delivery device 204 and the chamber 206 of the pod 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet channel 312 has a first portion 646 and a second portion 648 (FIG. 6). The first portion 646 is adjacent to the burstable seal 310 and the second portion 648 is adjacent to the chamber 206.

[0027] The burstable seal 310 seals the chamber 206 of the pod 202 to prevent contamination of the reconstitutable powder. The seal 310 is configured to rupture when pressure applied to the seal 310 exceeds the pressure threshold of the seal 310. The pressure threshold of the seal 310 may depend upon the area of the inlet 645 of the first portion 646 of the inlet channel 312. A larger area of the inlet 645 of the first portion 646 will allow the seal 310 to rupture at a lower pressure than if the inlet 645 has a smaller area. The area of the inlet 645 of the first portion 646 may be larger than the area of the outlet 649 of the second portion 648. The inlet 645 of the first portion 646 may have a diameter D ₂ between about 4 mm and about 6mm or about 5 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure threshold of the seal 310 is less than 100 psi, such as, for example, less than about 90 psi, less than about 50 psi, less than about 40 psi, or less than about 30 psi. Additionally, the pressure threshold of the seal 310 may be between about 20 psi and about 100 psi. For example, the pressure threshold of the seal 110 may be between about 30 psi and about 90 psi, between about 40 psi and about 70 psi, or between about 50 psi and about 60 psi. The burstable seal 310 may be made of any suitable material, such as for example, a foil, a thermoplastic film, or the like. In one exemplary embodiment, the burstable seal 310 comprises polypropylene.

[0028] During injection of a fluid from the delivery device 204, the fluid enters the open space 328 of the fluid inlet 208. The fluid places pressure on the burstable seal 310. The amount of pressure may be dependent on the volume of the open space 328. In an exemplary embodiment, the open space 328 may have a volume between about 600 mm ³ and about 622 mm ³ , or between about 609 mm ³ and about 613 mm ³ , or about 611 mm ³ . [0029] Referring to FIG. 4A, an exemplary embodiment of the pod 202 includes the fluid inlet 208 having an insert 430 that defines the open space 328 and the inlet channel 312, and includes the burstable seal 310. In this embodiment, the main body 432 of the pod 202 is configured to receive the insert 430. In an alternative embodiment, the pod 202 may be a unitary piece in which the open space 328 and the inlet channel 312 are integral to the main body 432 of the pod 202. For example, the open space 328 and the inlet channel 312 may be molded portions of a molded main body portion 432. In some embodiments where the open space 328 and the inlet channel 312 are integral to the main body 432, however, the inlet channel 312 may be made by drilling or otherwise formed in the molded main body portion. Referring to FIG. 4B, the pod 202 may include a first film cover 442 that covers the top of the pod 202, and a second film cover 444 that covers the fluid inlet 208 of the pod 202. The film covers 442, 444 protect the chamber 206 of the pod 202 from elements exterior the pod 202. For example, the film covers 442, 444 may protect the pod 202 during shipping. The film covers 442, 444 may be made of any suitable materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials for the film covers 442, 444 include any suitable laminate film, foil laminate or thermoplastic polymer, such as for example polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, the first portion 646 of the inlet channel 312 is frusto-conical, such that an inlet 645 of the first portion 646 is larger than an outlet 647 of the first portion 646. In alternative embodiments, however, the first portion 646 may take any form, as long as the first portion 646 allows the seal 310 to burst when pressure is applied and is in fluid communication with the second portion 648 of the inlet channel 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 648 is straight and has a constant, or nearly constant, diameter D. The size of the diameter D of the second portion 648 is configured such that the liquid will obtain a desired velocity as it travels from the inlet channel 312 to the chamber 206 of the pod 202. In certain embodiments, the beverage pod system 200 may require that a liquid entering the chamber 206 of the pod 202 have a desired velocity from the inlet channel 312 in order to properly mix with the reconstitutable powder and create a drinkable beverage.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the size and/or types of fluid pumps used in the beverage pod system 200 is dependent upon the size of the diameter D of the second portion 648 of the inlet channel 312. In alternative embodiments, the second portion 648 of the inlet channel 312 may take any form, as long as the diameter D of the outlet 649 of the second portion 648 is a proper size for the liquid to obtain the desired exit velocity from the inlet channel 312 into the chamber 206 of the pod 202. In the exemplary embodiment, the diameter D of the second portion 648 of the inlet channel 312 may be less than 1.5 mm, such as less than about 1 mm, or less than about 0.75 mm. In addition, in certain embodiments, the length L of the second portion 648 of the inlet channel 312 may affect the velocity of the liquid entering the chamber 206 of the pod 202. In order to obtain the desired velocity of the liquid as it enters the chamber 206 of the pod, the length L to diameter D ratio may be between about 2 and about 4, such as between about 2.5 and about 3.5, or such as between about 3 and about 3.3. Moreover, the length L to diameter D ratio may be about 3, about 3.3, or any other ratio that allows for the liquid to obtain a desired velocity as it enters the chamber 206 of the pod 202.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 7, the delivery device 204 includes a first check valve 214, a second check valve 215, a fluid channel 216, and an interface 234. The illustrated embodiments show a delivery device having two check valves 214, 215. Alternative embodiments, however, may include only a single check valve or more than two check valves. In various embodiments, the total number of check valves is dependent upon the number of fluids traveling through the delivery device 204 and into the pod 202. The check valves may be any suitable type of check valve, such as for example, a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, or any combination thereof.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid channel 216 includes a "Y" fitting 250, which provides two inlets 224, 225 into the fluid channel. The two inlets 224, 225 allow for two separate fluids to enter the fluid channel 216. For example, a liquid, such as water, may flow into the fluid channel during a first phase of operation of the delivery device, and a gas, such as air, may flow into the fluid channel during a second phase of operation of the delivery device. In alternative embodiments, the fluid channel may have a single inlet or more than two inlets. In various embodiments, the total number of inlets for the fluid channel 216 is dependent upon the number of fluids entering the delivery device 204.

[0034] In various embodiments, fluid is pumped through the one or more check valves 214, 215 and into the fluid channel 216 by one or more pumps 220, 221. In the illustrated embodiment, a first pump 220 pumps a first fluid through the first check valve 214, through the first inlet 224, and into the fluid channel 216. Similarly, the second pump 221 pumps a second fluid through the second check valve 215, through the second inlet 225, and into the fluid channel 216. The first and second fluid may be identical, or the first and second fluid may be different. The fluid being pumped into the fluid channel 216 may be any fluid suitable for use with a beverage pod, such as, for example, water, air, or any combination thereof. In alternative examples, there may be a single pump or more than two pumps that pump fluid into the fluid channel 216.

[0035] The interface 234 includes an outlet 318 for the delivery device 204. Referring to FIG. 8, the interface 234 may include a sealing member 836 that seals against the pod 202 (when the delivery device 204 is attached to the pod 202) to prevent fluid from exiting the pod 202 prior to reaching the chamber 206. The sealing member 836 may be any suitable sealing member, such as for example, an O-ring, a gasket, or other suitable sealing structure. Referring again to FIGS. 2-3 and 7, the interface 234 includes an outlet 318 that extends into the open space 328, and the outlet 318 is in fluid communication with the fluid channel 316 and the open space 328 (when the delivery device 204 is attached to the pod 202). The outlet 318 may take several different forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the outlet may have a pointed end 738. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4B, the fluid inlet 208 of the pod 202 is covered by the film cover 444 to protect the open space 328 and the burstable seal 310 from contamination or damage. In these embodiments, the pointed end 738 of the interface device 234 punctures the film cover 444 when the delivery device 204 is being attached to the pod 202. The puncture of the film cover 444 provides an opening for the outlet 318 of the delivery device 204 to extend into the open space 328 and be in fluid communication with the burstable seal 310. In alternative embodiments, the film cover 444 may be punctured in any manner in which the outlet 318 of the delivery device 204 is in fluid communication with the burstable seal 310 of the pod 202.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 8, the delivery device 204 attaches to the pod 202 such that the delivery device 204 is in fluid communication with the chamber 206 of the pod 202. The outlet 318 of the delivery device 204 extends into the open space 328 of the pod, such that the outlet 318 is in fluid communication with the burstable seal 310.

[0037] During operation of the beverage pod system 200, one of the pumps 220, 221 pumps a liquid (e.g., water) through one of the inlets 224, 225 of the fluid channel 216. The liquid travels through the fluid channel 216, through the outlet 318 of the delivery device 204, and into the open space 328 of the pod 202, such that the liquid fills the fluid channel 216 and the open space 328. As the liquid is pumped into the fluid channel 216 and the open space 328 and fluid pressure builds in those areas, the pressure is also applied to the burstable seal 310. Once the fluid pressure exceeds the pressure threshold of the burstable seal 310, the burstable seal 310 ruptures. After the seal 310 ruptures, the liquid travels through the inlet channel 312 of the fluid inlet 208 and into the chamber 206 to mix with the reconstitutable powder. The mixture exits the pod through the pod outlet 322 and is dispensed by a beverage dispenser as a drinkable beverage.

[0038] In order to prevent the powder, in dry or in reconstituted form, from traveling through the fluid inlet 208 and contacting the delivery device 204, a liquid column (e.g., a water column) is formed that extends from the check valves 214, 215 and into the fluid inlet 208. In particular, during delivery of liquid to the pod 202, the liquid extends from the fluid channel 216 of the delivery device 104 and into the fluid inlet 208 of the pod 202, which prevents the reconstituted powder from entering the delivery device 204. Once the flow of liquid is stopped, the column of liquid remains extended from the fluid channel 216 of the delivery device 204 and into the fluid inlet 208 of the pod by creating a seal on the inlets 224, 225 of the fluid channel 216. The sealing of the inlets 224, 225 of the fluid channel 216 results in the situation described above in which, if the liquid leaves the fluid channel 216 of the delivery device 204 and the fluid inlet 208 of the pod 202, a vacuum would form on the check valves 214, 215 and, because insufficient motive force is present to create the vacuum, a liquid column is created between the check valves 214, 215 and the fluid inlet 208 of the pod 202. In alternative embodiments, members other than the check valves 214, 215 may be used to create the seal of the inlets 224, 225 that causes the liquid column to be formed. Any member capable of closing the flow path within the device 204, such as between the fluid channel 216 and one or both of the pumps 220, 221 may be used. For example, any suitable type of valve may be used to close the flow path and cause the water column to be formed. The liquid column prevents the powder from entering the delivery device 204 because the liquid is incompressible.

[0039] In various embodiments, after the liquid delivery is complete, the other pump 220, 221 may pump a gas (e.g., air) into the chamber 206 of the pod 202 to force out the remaining reconstituted powder. The gas travels through the other one of the check valves 215, 215, through the other one of the inlets 224, 225, through the outlet 318 of the delivery device 204, through the fluid inlet 208 of the pod, and into the chamber 206. In an exemplary embodiment, the check valve 214, 215 for allowing liquid to enter the fluid channel 216 is disposed directly adjacent to the fluid channel 216, such that when the gas is pumped, the entire liquid path downstream of the check valve is also cleared by the gas. Once the gas cycle is complete, the delivery device 204 may be disengaged from the pod 202.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, a method 900 of delivering a liquid to a beverage pod includes placing a liquid source in fluid communication with a liquid inlet of a pod and increasing liquid pressure at the liquid inlet until a pressure threshold of a pressure seal of the liquid inlet is exceeded allowing liquid to enter a chamber of the pod. The method 900 also includes capturing a column of liquid at the liquid inlet to prevent the flow of liquid from the beverage pod out of the liquid inlet. Additional steps may be included to the above method 900, and the additional steps may be placed at any position within the method 900.

[0041] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination with exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.