Abstract:
A brewing cartridge containing a filter containing brewing material and configured to reside generally horizontally in a coffee maker. The filter has a top rim sandwiched between a coffee holder cover and a coffee holder base, and the cartridge may be disassembled after use to recycle and/or reuse components thereof, the rim facilitating removing the filter and brewing material from the used cartridge. The coffee maker includes a reservoir, a pump, a heater, and a nozzle for injecting heated water into the cartridge. The cartridge receives the heated water through the coffee holder cover and releases brewed liquid through a passage on a side of the cartridge. The cover may be a plastic cover or a foil cover, and the filter may be provided to a consumer as an empty filter for filling by the consumer, or as a pre-packed filter containing brewing material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation in Part of: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/777,831 filed 13 Jul. 2007; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,181 filed 30 Oct. 2009; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/620,584 filed 17 Nov. 2009; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/762,262 filed 16 Apr. 2010; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/960,496 filed 4 Dec. 2010; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/235,367 filed 17 Sep. 2011, which applications are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to brewing cartridges and in particular to a brewing cartridge which may be disassembled and parts thereof recycled and/or reused. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,325,765 and 5,840,189 disclose features of a brewing cartridge sold under the trademark K-CUP, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,606,938, 6,708,600, and 7,165,488 disclose features of coffee makers sold under the trademark KEURIG. While the KEURIG coffee makers and K-CUP cartridges have met with tremendous success, some consumers desire a lower cost cartridge which can be used in the same manner as the K-CUP cartridge in the KEURIG coffee maker. In particular, there is a need for a cartridge which allows easy removal of a cartridge lid or cover to re-use and/or recycle portion of the cartridge. The &#39;765, &#39;189, &#39;938, 600, and &#39;488 patents are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Unfortunately, The KEURIG coffee maker described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,488 and the K_CUP cartridge described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765 present unique problems for a reusable adapter. FIG. 6 of the &#39;488 patent shows an inlet probe 28 which punctures the top of the K-CUP cartridge and injects heated water into the cartridge. FIG. 7 of the &#39;488 patent shows an offset outlet probe 30 which punctures the base of the K-CUP cartridge and enters an empty portion of the cartridge interior to receive and carry the brewed drink for disbursing to a cup. The function of the KEURIG coffee maker presents a particular problem to designing an adapter because of the presence of the outlet probe to puncture the cartridge and carry the brewed drink from the cartridge. To retain the intended function of the KEURIG coffee maker, a reusable adapter would have to align with and seal around the offset outlet probe. Such a design would require both close tolerances and sealing features. Any miss-alignment could result in damage to the expensive KEURIG coffee maker, and a failure to seal would appear to create a mess for the consumer. 
     Further discouraging any new adapter design, Keurig offers an adapter sold under the trademark MY K-CUP. The MY K-CUP adapter does not replace a K-CUP cartridge, but instead requires the removal of a K-CUP Pack Holder before insertion of the MY K-CUP into the coffee maker. The outlet probe is part of the K-CUP Pack Holder and is removed with the K-CUP Pack Holder. The MY K-CUP adapter and the procedure for installing the MY K-CUP adapter into the KEURIG coffee maker, is a significant discouragement to attempting to develop a drop in adapter as a direct replacement for the K-CUP cartridge because it shows that Keurig did not believe that a drop in adapter was a viable product, probably because of the role of the outlet probe in the coffee maker design. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/777,831 filed Jul. 13, 2007 for “Pod Adapter System for Single Service Beverage Brewers” by the present applicant overcame the difficulties presented by the K-CUP cartridge and KEURIG coffee maker by inventing an adapter which fits into the K-CUP envelope but alters the fundamental operation of the KEURIG coffee maker. Through investigation of the KEURIG coffee maker and experimentation, the Applicant discovered the unexpected result, that if the brewed drink is released into the area of the KEURIG coffee maker under the K-CUP, the brewed drink would consistently flow into a cup positioned for normal use of the KEURIG coffee maker. 
     The &#39;831 application discloses packaging the coffee in closed filter paper commonly called a pod, and inserting the closed pod into a holder base and attaching a lid (or cover) to the base to complete a cartridge. The holder base includes structure to avoid the offset outlet probe and an opening allowing brewed drink to escape from the cartridge. Following preparing a brewed beverage, the cover may be removed from the base and the pod removed from the base, allowing the pod to be recycled and the base and/or cover to be independently reused and/or recycled. The adapter of the &#39;831 patent application thus provides a useful alternative to the K-CUP cartridge. The &#39;831 patent application is incorporated by reference above. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,181 filed 30 Oct. 2009 for “Coffee maker” filed by the present applicant discloses an adapter receiving filter paper formed into a cup and having a rim captured between the adapter base and cover, but not attached by adhesive or other means to the adapter base. Such capturing of the rim both holds the filter paper, and brewing material held in the filter paper, against the cover facilitating compete brewing, and also allowed easier extraction of the filter paper and brewing material for recycling, and recycling and/or reuse of the adapter base and/or cover. The &#39;181 further discloses a horizontal disposition of the cartridge in the coffee maker, but does not disclose all embodiments of such horizontally disposed cartridge. The &#39;181 patent application is incorporated by reference above. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a brewing cartridge containing a filter containing brewing material and configured to reside generally horizontally in a coffee maker. In one embodiment the filter has a top rim sandwiched between a coffee holder cover and a coffee holder base, residing against the coffee holder base but not adhered to the coffee holder base, and the cartridge may be disassembled after use to recycle and/or reuse components thereof, the rim facilitating removing the filter and brewing material from the coffee holder base. The coffee maker includes a reservoir, a pump, a heater, and a nozzle for injecting heated water into the cartridge. The cartridge receives the heated water through the coffee holder cover and releases brewed liquid through a passage on a side of the cartridge. The cover may be a plastic cover or a foil cover, and the filter may be provided to a consumer as an empty filter for filling by the consumer, or as a pre-packed filter containing brewing material. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a brewing material cartridge which may be assembled and disassembled by a consumer. A cover (or lid) may be detached from a holder base after use, and the holder base may be cleaned and reused, or recycled after use. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a brewing material cartridge containing a filter having a rim sandwiched between a holder base and a cover. Such sandwiching positions and holds the filter in a correct position for brewing a drink, and facilitates easy removal of the filter and brewing material after use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of a pod adaptor assembly of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustration of a receptacle of one embodiment for the pod adaptor assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic illustration of a receptacle of yet another embodiment of the pod adaptor assembly of  FIG. 1A , illustrating a locking mechanism for securing the cover over the receptacle. 
         FIG. 1D  is a schematic illustration of a pod adaptor assembly of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1E  is a schematic illustration of a pod adaptor assembly of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1F  is a schematic illustration of a receptacle of one embodiment for the pod adaptor assembly of  FIG. 1E . 
         FIG. 1G  is a schematic illustration of the pod adaptor assembly of  FIG. 3  used in combination with a single serve beverage brewer having upper and lower puncturing devices. 
         FIG. 1H  is a schematic illustration of a pod adaptor assembly of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1I  is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a pod brewing chamber of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of a coffee maker according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a top view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2D  is a side view of the coffee maker with an open lid allowing placement of a coffee holder according to the present invention inside the coffee maker. 
         FIG. 2E  is a functional diagram of the coffee maker. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a first coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing an empty coffee holder with the tamping spring and the bottom tamper according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the coffee holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, a portion of coffee, and the holder lid ready to attach to a holder body according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the coffee holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the holder body according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the coffee holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid attached to the coffee holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the first holder lid. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of a filter paper cup according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a top view of the filter paper cup according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7C  is a second embodiment of the filter paper cup with a lid. 
         FIG. 8A  shows the first coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
         FIG. 8B  shows the first coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 8C  shows the first coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a second coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing an empty coffee holder with the tamping spring and the top tamper according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the coffee holder with the holder lid, tamping spring and top tamper, and a portion of coffee, ready to attach according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the portion of untamped coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid, tamping spring and top tamper, ready to attach to the holder base, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11D  is a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder and the tamping spring, top tamper, and the holder lid attached to the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the second holder lid. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the bottom tamper. 
         FIG. 14A  shows the second coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
         FIG. 14B  shows the second coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 14C  shows the second coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a third coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17A  is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder and the top tamper and the holder lid ready to attach to the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the top tamper and the holder lid ready to attach to the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the bottom tamper, the top tamper, and the holder lid attached to the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 18A  shows the third coffee holder ready for insertion into a second coffee maker according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 18B  shows the third coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 18C  shows the third coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of a fourth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21A  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of coffee, and the holder lid ready to attach, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 21B  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 21C  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid attached, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 22A  shows the fourth coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
         FIG. 22B  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 22C  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 23A  shows the fourth coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker having a tamping block according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 23B  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker having the tamping block before tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 23C  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker having the tamping block after tamping the coffee. 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of a fifth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26A  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder body, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring, ready to attach to the coffee holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 26B  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the coffee holder with the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring ready to attach to the coffee holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 26C  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring attached to the holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a side view of a sixth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29A  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 29B  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 29C  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid attached and tamping the coffee, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a side view of a seventh coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 32A  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the portion of coffee above the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the holder body, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 32B  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the holder body. according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 32C  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the portion of coffee in the coffee holder, and the holder lid attached to the holder body and the coffee tamped between the bottom tamper and spring and the holder lid, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a side view of an eighth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 34A  is a cross-sectional side view of the eighth coffee holder taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing a portion of coffee for placing inside the coffee holder and the holder lid with an insertable portion and an O-Ring inside the coffee holder for sealing according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 34B  is a cross-sectional side view of the eighth coffee holder taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing the portion of coffee inside the coffee holder and the holder lid with the insertable portion inserted into the coffee holder and cooperating with the O-Ring inside the coffee holder for sealing. 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of a ninth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 36A  is a cross-sectional side view of the ninth coffee holder taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing a portion of coffee for placing inside the coffee holder and a holder lid with a threaded portion for screwing inside the holder body for sealing according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 36B  is a cross-sectional side view of the ninth coffee holder taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing the portion of coffee inside the coffee holder and a holder lid with the threaded portion screwed into the holder body and tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 37A  shows a third coffee maker having a coffee holder for receiving a portion of coffee and tamping spring according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 37B  shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding the portion of coffee and the tamping spring under the coffee holder according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 37C  shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding the portion of tamped coffee with the coffee maker lid closed for tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 38A  shows a third coffee maker having a coffee holder for receiving a portion of coffee and tamping spring attached to the coffee maker lid according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 38B  shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding the portion of untamped coffee according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 38C  shows the third coffee maker with the coffee holder holding the portion of tamped coffee with the coffee maker lid closed to push the tamping spring into the coffee holder for tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 39A  shows a fourth coffee maker having a coffee holder for receiving a packet containing untamped coffee, a knife for cutting the packet open, and tamping spring attached to the coffee maker lid according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 39B  shows the fourth coffee maker with the coffee holder holding the packet of untamped coffee according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 39C  shows the fourth coffee maker with the coffee holder holding the packet of tamped coffee with the coffee maker lid closed to push the tamping spring into the coffee holder for tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 40A  shows a fifth coffee maker accepting a horizontal coffee holder and tamping spring residing horizontally in a coffee holder cavity according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 40B  shows the fifth coffee maker with the coffee holder residing horizontally in the coffee holder cavity according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
         FIG. 40C  shows the fifth coffee maker with the coffee holder residing horizontally in the coffee holder cavity with the coffee maker lid closed and the coffee holder pushed against the tamping spring for tamping the coffee, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 41A  shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 41B  shows a top view of the fourth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 41C  shows a front view of the fourth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 42  shows a cross-sectional view of the fourth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41B . 
         FIG. 43A  shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of a coffee holder lid for the fourth coffee holder configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 43B  shows a top view of the sixth coffee holder lid for the fourth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 43C  is a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of a coffee holder lid for the fourth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, taken along line  43 C- 43 C of  FIG. 43B , according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 44A  shows a cross-sectional view of the fourth coffee holder base, the sixth coffee holder lid, and a filter paper cup containing brewing material, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 44B  shows a cross-sectional view of the fourth coffee holder base, the sixth coffee holder lid, and a filter paper cup containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 44C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 44D  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge residing horizontally in a coffee maker with two nozzles engaging the cartridge, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 45A  shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 45B  shows a top view of the fifth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 45C  shows a front view of the fifth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 46  shows a cross-sectional view of the fifth coffee holder base showing a tamper in the coffee holder, configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  46 - 46  of  FIG. 45B . 
         FIG. 47A  shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of a coffee holder lid for the fifth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 47B  shows a top view of the seventh coffee holder lid for the fifth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 48A  shows a cross-sectional view of the fifth coffee holder base, the seventh coffee holder lid, and a filter paper cup containing brewing material, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 48B  shows a cross-sectional view of the fifth coffee holder base, the seventh coffee holder lid, and a filter paper cup containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 48C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 49A  shows a side view of a third embodiment of a filter paper cup containing brewing material configured for a horizontal residing coffee holder. 
         FIG. 49B  shows a top view of the third embodiment of the filter paper cup containing brewing material configured for a horizontal residing coffee holder. 
         FIG. 50A  shows a side view of an eighth lid for a horizontal residing coffee holder base. 
         FIG. 50B  shows a top view of the eighth lid for a horizontal residing coffee holder base. 
         FIG. 51A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base, the eighth coffee holder lid, and the third filter paper cup containing brewing material, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 51B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base, the eighth coffee holder lid, and the third filter paper cup containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 51C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 52A  shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a filter paper cup containing brewing material configured for a horizontal residing coffee holder. 
         FIG. 52B  shows a top view of the fourth embodiment of the filter paper cup containing brewing material configured for a horizontal residing coffee holder. 
         FIG. 52C  shows a bottom view of the fourth embodiment of the filter paper cup containing brewing material configured for a horizontal residing coffee holder. 
         FIG. 52D  is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the filter paper cup containing brewing material configured for a horizontal residing coffee holder taken along line  52 D- 52 D of  FIG. 52B , according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 53A  shows a side view of a peel-off strip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 53B  shows a top view of the peel-off strip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 54A  shows a side view of a peel-off packaging according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 54B  shows a top view of the peel-off packaging according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 55A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base and the fourth filter paper cup containing brewing material, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 55B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base and the fourth filter paper cup containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 55C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 56  shows a rimmed mesh brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 57A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base, the rimmed mesh brewing material holder, brewing material, and a holder lid according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 57B  shows a cross-sectional view of the mesh brewing material holder residing in the coffee holder base, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 57C  shows a cross-sectional view of the brewing material residing in the mesh brewing material holder residing in the coffee holder base, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 57D  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 58A  shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 58B  shows a top view of the sixth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 58C  shows a front view of the sixth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 59  shows a cross-sectional view of the sixth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58B . 
         FIG. 60A  shows a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder, the sixth coffee holder lid, and brewing material, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 60B  shows a cross-sectional view of the sixth coffee holder base, the sixth coffee holder lid, and brewing material residing in the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 60C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 61A  shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 61B  shows a top view of the seventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 61C  shows a front view of the seventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 62  shows a cross-sectional view of the seventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  62 - 62  of  FIG. 61B . 
         FIG. 63A  shows a side view of a ninth embodiment of a coffee holder lid for the thirteenth coffee holder configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 63B  shows a top view of the ninth coffee holder lid for the seventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 63C  is a cross-sectional view of the ninth coffee holder lid for the thirteenth coffee holder configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, taken along line  63 C- 63 C of  FIG. 62B , according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 64A  shows a cross-sectional view of the seventh coffee holder base, the ninth coffee holder lid, and a filter paper cup containing brewing material, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 64B  shows a cross-sectional view of the seventh coffee holder base, the ninth coffee holder lid, and a filter paper cup containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 64C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 65A  shows a side view of an eighth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 65B  shows a top view of the eighth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 65C  shows a front view of the eighth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 66  shows a cross-sectional view of the eighth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  66 - 66  of  FIG. 65B . 
         FIG. 67A  shows a side view of a ninth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 67B  shows a top view of the ninth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 67C  shows a front view of the ninth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 68  shows a cross-sectional view of the ninth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  68 - 68  of  FIG. 67B . 
         FIG. 69A  shows a side view of a tenth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 69B  shows a top view of the tenth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 69C  shows a front view of the tenth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 70  shows a cross-sectional view of the tenth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  70 - 70  of  FIG. 69B . 
         FIG. 71  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge including the tenth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 72A  shows a side view of an eleventh embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 72B  shows a top view of the eleventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 72C  shows a front view of the eleventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 73  shows a cross-sectional view of the eleventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  72 - 72  of  FIG. 72B . 
         FIG. 74  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge including the eleventh coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 75A  shows a side view of a twelfth embodiment of a coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 75B  shows a top view of the twelfth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 75C  shows a front view of the twelfth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 76  shows a cross-sectional view of the twelfth coffee holder base configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention taken along line  72 - 72  of  FIG. 72B . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a pod adaptor assembly  100  of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the pod adaptor assembly  100  generally comprises a cup-shaped receptacle  102  and a cover  104  adapted to sealingly engage with the receptacle  102 . The receptacle  102  has a substantially circular base  106  and sidewalls  108  extending upwardly from the base  106  to define a housing  110  having an upper opening  112 . The base  106  has an interior surface  114  and an exterior surface  116 , which are separated by a distance  118  so that the interior surface  114  is elevated above the exterior surface by the distance. In one embodiment, the distance  118  is between 1 and 20 mm. In another embodiment, the distance is about 10 mm. While the preferred embodiments of the pod assembly utilize a cup-shaped receptacle, the receptacle can assume other shapes and configurations such as square or cylindrical without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1A , a passageway  120  is formed in the base  106  of the receptacle  102 , extending between the interior and exterior surfaces  114 ,  116  of the base  106 . The passageway  120  is configured to receive a needle-like structure that is typically mounted in the single serve beverage brewer to puncture the bottom of a disposable cup-shaped filter. The location of the passageway  120  relative to the base  106  is preferably selected to match the relative location of the needle-like structure in the brewer. In a preferred embodiment, the passageway  120  is slightly off-center from the base to correspond to the location of the needle. In operation, the needle-like structure is designed to move upwardly toward the bottom of the base  104  of the receptacle a first distance so as to puncture the bottom of the cup-shaped filter. To prevent the needle-like structure from hitting against the base of the receptacle or piercing the beverage pod inside the receptacle, the passageway  120  allows the needle-like structure to move freely without jamming against the receptacle or the pod. The passageway  120  also serves the purpose of providing an outlet for brewed beverage to flow out of the receptacle into a drinking vessel. In one embodiment, the passageway  120  is substantially circular and has a diameter of the about 5 mm and a length of about 10 mm. 
     As  FIG. 1A  further shows, a plurality of spaced apart protrusions  122  are formed across the interior surface  114  of the base. The protrusions  122  collectively provide a plurality of spaced apart raised surfaces for the pod to rest against. When the pod is placed inside the receptacle and resting against the protrusions, the gaps between the pod the interior surface  114  of the base allow brewed beverage to flow unobstructed from the pod down through the passageway  120 . In one implementation, the protrusions can be configured in the manner shown in  FIG. 1B . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the protrusions  122  comprise a plurality of circular and oval shaped protrusions extending upwardly from the lower surface  114  of the receptacle  102 . In some implementations, a plurality of ribs  122  are also arranged to extend outwardly from an interior side surface  123  of the receptacle  102 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1A , the cover  104  of the assembly  100  has a circular configuration and a seal  124  sized to sealingly engage the cover  104  to the receptacle opening  112  in a manner known in the art. The cover  104  has an opening  126  configured to accommodate a liquid inlet probe from the brewer. The liquid inlet probe is typically used to pierce the cup-shaped filter cartridge and introduce pressurized hot water into the cartridge. In certain embodiments, the cover  104  also has a circular recessed section  128  disposed concentrically around the opening  124 . The circular recessed section  128  is adapted to mate with a correspondingly shaped circular protrusion formed on the single serve brewer. 
     In certain embodiments, the assembly  100  further includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock the cover in place relative to the receptacle.  FIG. 1C  illustrates one example of such locking mechanism. As shown in  FIG. 1C , a plurality of notches  126  are formed in the interior rim of the receptacle. The notches  126  are configured to engage with mating protrusions  130  formed on an interior rim  132  of the cover  104 . When the cover  104  is positioned over the opening of the receptacle  102 , the protrusions  130  on the interior rim  132  of the cover preferably slidably engage with the notch so as to lock the cover in place. It will be appreciated that other locking mechanisms known in the art can also be used to lock the cover in place. 
       FIG. 1D  illustrates a pod adaptor assembly  200  of another embodiment of the present invention. The pod adaptor assembly  200  generally comprises a cup-shaped receptacle  202  adapted to receive a pod and a cover  204  adapted to sealingly engage with the receptacle  202 . The receptacle  202  has a base  206  having a downwardly sloping interior surface  208  supported by a plurality of legs  210 . A passageway  212  extends downwardly from the exterior surface  214  of the base. The passageway  212  is adapted to guide and allow the needle-like structure from the brewer to extend upwardly without hitting against the receptacle or piercing the pod inside the receptacle. The passageway  212  also permits outflow of the brewed beverage from the receptacle. In one embodiment, the passageway  212  has a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 1 mm to 20 mm. The location of the passageway  212  relative to the base  206  is preferably selected to correspond to the location of the upwardly moving needle in the brewer. In one embodiment, the passageway  212  is offset by about 1-5 mm from the center of the base. As also shown in  FIG. 1D , the cover  204  of the assembly  200  has an opening  216  formed therethrough, which is adapted to allow insertion of a liquid inlet probe from the brewer. 
       FIG. 1E  is a schematic illustration of a pod adaptor assembly  300  of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The pod adaptor assembly  300  generally comprises a receptacle  302  and a cover  304  adapted to sealingly engage with the receptacle  302 . The receptacle  302  has a substantially circular base  306  and sidewalls  308  extending upwardly from the base  306  defining a housing  310  having an upper opening  312 . The base  306  has an annular raised portion  314  extending upwardly from a lower surface  316  of the base and an opening  324  formed in a portion of the base that is not raised. The raised portion  314  provides a raised support surface  318  for a pod  320  so that the pod  320  does not contact and possibly block the opening  324  for brewed coffee to flow through. Preferably, the lower surface of the pod  320  is also elevated from the opening  324  by a distance  328  which is calculated to accommodate the upward extension of the puncture needle in the brewer during operation. In one embodiment, the distance  328  is between about 5 to 20 mm. In certain preferred embodiments, a plurality of spaced apart protrusions  330  are formed on the raised support surface  318 . The gaps between the protrusions facilitate flow of brewed beverage from the pod toward the opening  324 . 
       FIG. 1F  illustrates protrusions  330  of one implementation for the receptacle  300  of  FIG. 1E . As shown in  FIG. 1F , the protrusions  330  comprise a plurality of spaced apart ribs disposed on an interior side wall  331  and both the raised and non-raised interior surface portions  318 . As also shown in  FIG. 1F , the opening  324  is located at an offset from the center of the base of the receptacle. The location is configured to correspond to the location of the puncture needle when the assembly is placed in the brewing chamber of the brewer. 
       FIG. 1G  is a schematic illustration of the pod adaptor assembly of  FIG. 1E  used in conjunction with a single serve beverage brewer in brewing a beverage pod. As shown in  FIG. 1G , the pod adaptor assembly  300  is placed in a brewing chamber  400  of a single serve brewer  402  known in the art and configured for brewing cup-shaped filter cartridges. In one embodiment, the single serve brewer  402  is sold under the trademark KEURIG. As also shown in  FIG. 1G , a beverage pod  404 , preferably containing ground coffee, is positioned inside the receptacle  302  of the assembly  100 . The pod  402  preferably fits snugly inside the receptacle  302  and rests against the protrusion  330 . In operation, a lower puncture needle  406  of the brewer extends upwardly through the passageway  116  of the receptacle  102 . As described above, the lower puncture needle  406  is designed to extend upwardly and puncture the bottom of a cup-shaped cartridge that is normally inside the brewing chamber. To adapt the brewer  402  for use in brewing beverage pods which do not need to be punctured, the opening  324  in the base of the receptacle allows the puncture needle  406  to extend into the receptacle and the distance  328  between the opening  324  and the pod  404  is dimensioned such that the puncture needle  406  does not contact and pierce the pod  404 . The distance advantageously provides an offset that accommodates the upward movement of lower puncture needle  406  without piercing the pod or damaging the needle. As also shown in  FIG. 1G , a liquid inlet probe  408  is extended downwardly through an opening  332  formed in the cover  304  of the assembly  300 . In some embodiments, the pod  404  is positioned such that the liquid inlet probe  408  punctures the pod  404 . In other embodiments, the pod  404  is positioned such that the liquid inlet probe  408  does not puncture the pod. 
       FIG. 1H  is a schematic illustration of yet another embodiment of the pod adaptor assembly  500  of the present invention showing a cross-section of the assembly when used with a beverage pod  502 . The pod adaptor assembly  500  comprises a receptacle  504  and a cover  506  adapted to sealingly engage with the receptacle  504 . The assembly  500  further includes a biasing mechanism  512  adapted to elevate and press the pod  502  against the cover  506  when the cover is sealingly engaged with the receptacle  504 . In one implementation, the pressure applied against the pod advantageously compacts the ground coffee in the pod which has a similar effect as tamping the coffee. In certain preferred embodiments, the assembly has an inlet  508  for introducing pressurized hot water into the receptacle and an outlet  510  for allowing outflow of brewed beverage. In one implementation as shown in  FIG. 1H , the inlet  508  is an opening formed in the cover  506  that is also adapted to receive a liquid inlet probe, which is part of a single serve beverage brewers designed for cup-shaped cartridges. Also in the implementation shown in  FIG. 1H , the outlet  510  comprises an opening formed in the base of the receptacle to allow for outflow of brewed beverage from the receptacle as well as unobstructed upward extension of a puncture needle that is part of certain single serve beverage brewers designed for cup-shaped cartridges. By pressing the pod up against the cover, the pod is also pressed up against the inlet  508  through which hot water flows into the chamber. This advantageously “traps” the hot water in the pod for a longer period of time and produces a stronger and more consistent brewed beverage. In addition to being an adaptor assembly for cup-shaped brewers, the receptacle having a biasing device as shown in  FIG. 1H  can also serve as a brewing chamber for pod brewers. 
     In one embodiment, the biasing mechanism  512  is a spring positioned inside the receptacle and extending upwardly from the base. The flexibility of spring is advantageous because it provides an adjustable support surface that can accommodate and apply pressure against pods of a variety of different sizes. In cases of thicker or larger pods, the spring can be simply compressed more to accommodate the pods. The spring can push the pods of different thicknesses and sizes up against the hot water being introduced into the receptacle. It will also be appreciated that a variety of different biasing mechanisms can also be used to press the pod against the inlet hot water. For example, the biasing mechanism can be a spring attached to the interior of the cover. As described above, pushing the pod against the hot water inlet compacts the ground coffee and also causes much less water to escape from the pod during the brewing pod. As a result, a much stronger and consistent cup of coffee is produced. 
       FIG. 1I  is a cross-sectional view of a pod brewing chamber  600  of one preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporating the novel biasing mechanism. The pod brewing chamber  600  comprises a cup-shaped housing  602  and a cover  604 . Preferably, the housing  602  has a frustoconical shaped interior surface  602   c  and is sized to receive a circular beverage pod. In a preferred embodiment, the housing  602  has a height of about 44.5 mm, a lower diameter of about 35 mm and an upper diameter of about 45.5 mm. As also shown in  FIG. 6 , the brewing chamber  600  further includes a spring  606  extending upwardly from the base  602   b  of the housing and having an upper end  606   a  and base  606   b , the base  606   b  residing in a notch  602   d  in the base of the housing  602  and a platform  608  attached to the upper end  606   a  of the spring  606 . In one implementation, the platform  608  comprises a circular support having ribs arranged in a spaced part configuration across the upper surface of the platform  608 . In operation, a coffee pod is inserted into the housing by being placed on the platform  608  and pressed downwardly until the pod is inside the housing and the cover  604  can be placed over the opening of the housing. As also shown in  FIG. 6 , the cover  604  has an opening  612  through which hot water can be injected into the housing, and a rim  604   a  radially overlapping a top edge  602   a  of the housing  602 . The rim  604   a  provides a graspable portion residing outside the interior of the housing  602  for removal of the cover  604 . The brewing chamber further includes a lower opening  614  in the base  602   b  of the housing  602  for brewed coffee to flow out of the chamber, and a chamber exterior region  700  outside the brewing chamber. 
     In addition to the KEURIG coffee makers, the adapters described in  FIGS. 1A-1I  may be used in conjunction with a variety of different conventional pod brewers, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,904,840, 7,047,870 and 7,131,369, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A front view of a coffee  10  maker according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2A  a side view of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2B , and a top view of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2C . The coffee maker  10  includes a body  12 , an opening lid  14 , a lid handle  16 , a water container  18 , a display  20 , controls  22 , and platform  24 . A coffee pitcher  26  rests on the platform  24  and has a pitcher lid  28 . The coffee maker  10  provides a flow of hot water through coffee grounds to produce a coffee drink. The flow of water may be heated by one of any known means, for example, an electrical heating coil or a conductive coating on tubing carrying the water. 
     A side view of the coffee maker  10  with an open lid  14  allowing placement of a coffee holder  30  according to the present invention inside the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2D . The lid  14  includes a lid hinge  14   a  and a water tube  15  carries heated water into the lid  14 . A pad  17  resides on a bottom surface of the lid  14  and presses against the coffee holder  30  when the lid  14  is closed, and in cooperation with other means discloses hereafter, tamps coffee contained in the coffee holder  30 . A nozzle  19  extending down from the closed lid  14  directs the flow of hot water into the coffee holder  30 . 
     A functional diagram of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2E . The preferred coffee maker  10  includes the water tank  18 , water pump  21 , a heater  13 , check valve  23  and the nozzle  18 . The pump  21  preferably provides at least one PSI water pressure. The water heater  13  may include a heating coil or a resistive coating or any other means for heating water. The check valve  23  limits the water pressure at the nozzle  19  by returning some of the water flow to the water tank  18 . While the water pump  21  is a preferred method for providing a flow of water to the nozzle  19 , other methods include pressuring the water in the water tank  18 , and a coffee maker using any means to provide a forced flow of water is intending to within the scope of the present invention. 
     A side view of a first coffee holder  30   a  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3  and a cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder  30   a  including a holder body  31 , a first holder lid  32   a , a bottom tamper  34 , and a tamping spring  35  according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 4 . A volume (or coffee holder interior)  38  is provided inside the coffee holder  30   a  to receive loose coffee  41 . A passage  33  in the lid  32   a  is provided for the nozzle  19  (see FIG,  2 ). 
     A cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing an empty coffee holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and the bottom tamper  34  ready for filling are shown in  FIG. 5A . A cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the coffee holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34 , a portion of loose coffee  41 , and the holder lid  32   a  ready to attach is shown in  FIG. 5B . A cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the coffee holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34 , a portion of coffee in the volume  38 , and the holder lid  32   a  ready to attach is shown in  FIG. 5C . A cross-sectional side view of the first coffee holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the coffee holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34 , a portion of loose coffee  41  in the volume  38 , and the holder lid  32   a  attached to the coffee holder  30   a , is shown in  FIG. 5D . 
     A top view of the first holder lid  32   a  showing the passage  33  provided for the nozzle  19  (see  FIG. 2 ) is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     A side view of a filter paper cup  40  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 7A  and a top view of the filter paper cup  40  is shown in  FIG. 7B . The filter paper cup  40  includes a bottom  40   b , sides  40   a , and a rim  40   c . The rim  40   c  rests on a top edge of the holder body  31  and is held between the holder cap and body when the cap is placed on the body, thereby preventing or restricting the escape of coffee  41  from the cup  40  when hot water flows into the coffee holder  30   a.    
     A second embodiment of the filter paper cup  40 ′ with a lid  40   d  is shown in  FIG. 7C . The lid  40   d  of the filter paper cup  40 ′ may be folded over the cup  40 ′ after loose coffee is poured into the cup. 
     The filter cups may be made from several materials including filter paper, nylon mesh, steel mesh, or any material suitable for filtration. 
     The first coffee holder  30   a  is shown ready for insertion into a first coffee maker  10   a  in  FIG. 8A , the first coffee holder  30   a  is shown inserted into the coffee maker  10  before tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 8B , and the first coffee holder  30   a  is shown in the coffee maker  10  after tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 8C . The coffee maker includes a cavity  11  for accepting the coffee holder and has walls  11   a  for aligning the coffee holder in the coffee maker. When the lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  on the bottom of the lid  14  and/or arms  25  attached to the bottom of the lid  25 , push the coffee holder  30   a  down over the tamping spring  36  and the coffee  41  is tamped between the lid  32   a  and the bottom tamper  34 . The arms  25  push the coffee holder  30   a  down ahead of the nozzle  19  thereby seating the coffee holder  30   a  in the cavity  11  for alignment of the nozzle  10  with the passage  33  in the lid  32   a.    
     A side view of a second coffee holder  30   b  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9  and a cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  is shown in  FIG. 10 . The coffee holder  30   b  includes the holder body  31 , a second holder lid  32   b , a tamper spring  36 , a spring washer  35   a , and a top tamper  35   b.    
     A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing an empty coffee holder  30   b  is shown in  FIG. 11A . A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the holder lid  32   b  and a loose portion of coffee  41  above the empty coffee holder  30   b  is shown in  FIG. 11  B. A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the holder lid  32   b  above the coffee holder  30   b  with the portion of loose coffee  41  in the coffee holder  32   b  is shown in  FIG. 11C . A cross-sectional side view of the second coffee holder  32   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the coffee holder with the holder lid  32   b  attached to the coffee holder  30   b  and a portion of loose coffee  41  in the coffee holder  30   b  is shown in  FIG. 11D . The tamping spring  36  extends upward out of the coffee holder  30   b  for tamping the loose coffee as disclosed hereafter. 
     A top view of the second holder lid  32   b  is shown in  FIG. 12 . The holder lid  32   b  includes a larger passage  33   a  allowing passage of the tamping spring  36  through the holder lid  32   b.    
     A top view of the bottom tamper  34  is shown in  FIG. 13 . The bottom tamper  34  includes perforations  34   a  to allow coffee drink to pass through the bottom tamper  34 . 
     The second coffee holder  30   b  is shown ready for insertion into the coffee maker  10  in  FIG. 14A , the second coffee holder  30   b  is shown inserted into the coffee maker  10  before tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 14B , and the second coffee holder  30   b  is shown in the coffee maker  10  after tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 14C . The coffee maker  10  may include a long nozzle  19   a  to reach the top tamper  35   b  for “injection” of the heated water into the tamped coffee, but may also include the nozzle  19  and the heated water may pass through the coffee  41  under the pull of gravity. 
     A side view of a third coffee holder  30   c  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 16  and a cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder  30   c  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  is shown in  FIG. 16 . The coffee holder  30   c  includes the holder body  31 , the second holder lid  32   b , the bottom tamper  34 , and the top tamper  35   b.    
     A cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder  30   c  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the coffee holder  30   c  with the holder lid  32   b , the top tamper  35   b , and a portion of coffee, ready to attach to the holder  31 , is shown in  FIG. 17A . A cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the coffee holder  30   c  with the holder lid  32   b  and the top tamper ready to attach, and a portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder, is shown in  FIG. 17B . A cross-sectional side view of the third coffee holder  30   c  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the coffee holder with the holder lid and the top tamper attached and a loose portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder is shown in  FIG. 17C . The coffee holder  30   c  is configured to use with a coffee maker  10   b  (see  FIGS. 18A-18C ) including apparatus for entering the coffee holder for tamping the loose coffee  41 . 
     The third coffee holder  30   c  ready for insertion into a second coffee maker  10   b  in  FIG. 18A , the third coffee holder  30   c  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  before tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 18B , and the third coffee holder  30   c  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  after tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 18C . The coffee maker  10   b  includes the tamping spring  36  attached to the pad  17  on the bottom of the lid  14 . When the lid  14  is closed the tamping spring  36  enters the coffee holder  30   c  through the lid passage  33   a  (see  FIG. 12 ) and pushes the top tamper  35   b  against the coffee  41  to tamp the coffee  41 . 
     A side view of a fourth coffee holder  30   d  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 19  and a cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  is shown in  FIG. 20 . The coffee holder  30   d  includes the holder body  31 , the first holder lid  32   a , and the bottom tamper  34 . 
     A cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the coffee holder with the bottom tamper  34 , and a portion of coffee  41  and the holder lid ready to attach is shown in  FIG. 21A . A cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the coffee holder  30   d  with the bottom tamper  34 , the portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder  30   d , and the holder lid  32   a  ready to attach is shown in  FIG. 21B . A cross-sectional side view of the fourth coffee holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the coffee holder  30   d  with the bottom tamper  34 , a portion of coffee in the coffee holder  41 , and the holder lid  32   a  is shown in  FIG. 21C . 
     The fourth coffee holder  30   d  ready for insertion into another embodiment of the second coffee maker  10   b  in  FIG. 22A , the fourth coffee holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  before tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 22B , and the fourth coffee holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  after tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 22C . The coffee maker  10   b  may include the tamping spring  36  residing in the bottom of the coffee holder cavity  11 . When the lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  pushed the coffee holder  30   d  down over the tamping spring  36  and the tamping spring  36  enters the coffee holder  30   c  through the bottom of the holder body  31  and pushes the bottom tamper  34  against the coffee  41  to tamp the coffee  41 . 
     The fourth coffee holder  30   d  ready for insertion into another embodiment of the second coffee maker  10   b  in  FIG. 23A , the fourth coffee holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  before tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 23B , and the fourth coffee holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  after tamping the coffee  41  in  FIG. 23C . The coffee maker  10   b  may include a resilient solid block  42  residing in the bottom of the coffee holder cavity  11 . When the lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  pushed the coffee holder  30   d  down over the resilient solid block  42  and the resilient solid block  42  enters the coffee holder  30   c  through the bottom of the holder body  31  and pushes the bottom tamper  34  against the coffee  41  to tamp the coffee  41 . 
     A side view of a fifth coffee holder  30   e  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 24  and a cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  is shown in  FIG. 25 . The fifth coffee holder  30   e  includes the holder body  31 , the holder lid  32   b , the tamping spring  36  and the top tamper  35   b  attached to the holder lid  32   a.    
     A cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the coffee holder  30   e  with a portion of coffee  41 , and the holder lid  32   b  with the top tamper  35   b  and tamping spring  36  attached, above the holder body  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26A . A cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the coffee holder with the portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder, and the holder lid  32   b  with the top tamper  35   b  and tamping spring  36  attached, above the holder body  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26B . A cross-sectional side view of the fifth coffee holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the coffee holder  30   e  with the portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder  30   e , and the holder lid  32   b  with the top tamper  35   b  and tamping spring  36  attached to the holder base  31  is shown in  FIG. 26D . The tamper spring  36  and top tamper  35   b  tamp the coffee  41  to provide a tamped coffee when the holder lid  32   b  is attached to the holder base  31 . 
     A side view of a sixth coffee holder  30   f  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 27  and a cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder  30   f  taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  is shown in  FIG. 28 . The sixth coffee holder  30   f  includes the holder body  31  and a third holder lid  32   c . The third holder lid  32   c  includes a recessed portion  32 ′ which reaches into the interior of the sixth coffee holder  30   f . The recessed portion  32 ′ is preferably a solid resilient material. 
     A cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder  30   f  taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the sixth coffee holder  30   f  with a portion of coffee  41 , and the holder lid  32   c , above the holder body  31 , is shown in  FIG. 29A . A cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder  30   f  taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the coffee holder with the portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder, and the holder lid  32   c  above the holder body  31 , is shown in  FIG. 29B . A cross-sectional side view of the sixth coffee holder  30   f  along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the sixth coffee holder  30   f  with the portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder  30   e , and the holder lid  32   e  attached to the holder base  31  is shown in  FIG. 26D . A cushion  32 ′ tamps the coffee  41  to provide a tamped coffee when the holder lid  32   e  is attached to the holder base  31 . The cushion  32 ′ is preferably made from a resilient material to cushion the tamping of the loose coffee. 
     A side view of a seventh coffee holder  30   g  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 30  and a cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  is shown in  FIG. 31 . The seventh coffee holder  30   g  includes the holder body  31 , the holder lid  32   b , the tamping spring  36 , and the bottom tamper  34  inside the holder base  31 . 
     A cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the seventh coffee holder  30   g  with a portion of coffee  41  and the holder lid  32   a  above the holder body  31 , and with the bottom tamper  34  and tamping spring  36  inside the holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26A . A cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the coffee holder with the portion of coffee  41  in the filter paper  40  in the holder base  31  resting on the bottom tamper  34  supported by the tamper spring  36 , and the holder lid  32   a  above the holder body  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26B . A cross-sectional side view of the seventh coffee holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the seventh coffee holder  30   g  with the portion of coffee  41  in the coffee holder  30   e , and the holder lid  32   a  attached to the holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26D . The tamper spring  36  and bottom tamper  34  tamp the coffee  41  upward against the tamper lid  32   a  to provide a tamped coffee when the holder lid  32   a  is attached to the holder base  31 . 
     A side view of an eighth coffee holder  30   h  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 33 , a cross-sectional side view of the eighth coffee holder  30   h  taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing a portion of coffee  41  for placing inside the coffee holder and a fourth holder lid  32   d  with an insertable portion and an O-Ring  50  inside the coffee holder for sealing is shown in  FIG. 34A , and a cross-sectional side view of the eighth coffee holder taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing the portion of coffee  41  inside the coffee holder  30   h  and the holder lid  32   d  with the insertable portion inserted into the coffee holder base  31   a  is shown in  FIG. 34B . The filter paper  40  extends up above the O-ring  50  and the O-Ring  50  cooperates with the holder lid  32   d  to sandwich the top edge of the filter paper  40  for sealing the filter paper  40  to reduce or prevent the coffee  41  from escaping when the flow of hot water is provided to the coffee holder  30   h . The holder base  31   a  is preferably cylindrical but may also be conical in shape. 
     A side view of a ninth coffee holder  30   i  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 35 , a cross-sectional side view of the ninth coffee holder  30   i  taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing a portion of coffee  41  for placing inside the coffee holder and a fifth holder lid  32   e  with a threaded portion for screwing inside the holder base  31   b  for sealing is shown in  FIG. 36A , and a cross-sectional side view of the ninth coffee holder  30   i  taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing the portion of coffee  41  inside the coffee holder and the holder lid  32   e  with the threaded portion screwed into the coffee holder and tamping the coffee  41  is shown in  FIG. 36B . The threads both provide tamping and sealing the coffee to reduce or prevent the coffee  41  from escaping when the flow of hot water is provided to the coffee holder  30   h . The holder base  31   b  is preferably cylindrical to facilitate having internal threads, and at least the threaded portion is preferably cylindrical. 
     A third coffee maker  10   c  having a coffee holder  30  according to the present invention for receiving a portion of coffee and a tamping spring  36  for tamping the coffee is shown in  FIG. 37A , the third coffee maker  10   c  with the coffee holder  30  holding the portion of coffee  41  is shown in  FIG. 37B , and the third coffee maker  10   c  with the coffee holder  30  holding the portion of coffee  41  with the coffee maker lid  14  closed for tamping the coffee  41  is shown in  FIG. 37C . When the lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  pushes the coffee holder  30  down and the tamping spring  36  enters the bottom of the coffee holder  30  to tamp the coffee  41 . While attaching the lid  32   a  to the holder  30  is preferred in order to prevent coffee grounds from escaping the holder  30 , the coffee maker  10   c  may also be used without the lid  32   a  and the pad  17  may serve to seal the coffee  41  in the holder  30 . In this instance, the coffee maker lid  14  serves as a coffee holder lid. 
     A third coffee maker  10   c  having a coffee holder for receiving a portion of coffee and tamping spring  36  attached to the coffee maker lid  14  according to the present invention for tamping the coffee  41  when the coffee maker lid  14  is closed is shown in  FIG. 38A , the third coffee maker with the coffee holder  30  holding the portion of coffee  41  is shown in  FIG. 38B , and the third coffee maker  10   c  with the coffee holder  30  holding the portion of coffee  41  with the coffee maker lid  14  closed to push the tamping spring  36  into the coffee holder  30  for tamping the coffee  41  is shown in  FIG. 38C . 
     A fourth coffee maker  10   d  having a third holder base  31   c  for receiving a packet  41   a  containing untamped coffee, a knife  50  for cutting the packet  41   a  open, and tamping spring  36  under the holder base  31   c  according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed is shown in  FIG. 39A , the fourth coffee maker  10   d  with the holder base  31   c  holding the packet  41   a  of untamped coffee is shown in  FIG. 39B , and fourth coffee maker with the holder base  31   c  holding the packet of tamped coffee  41   c  with the coffee maker lid  14  closed to push the holder base down over the tamping spring  36  for tamping the coffee is shown in  FIG. 39C . The coffee maker  10   d  includes a somewhat pointed nozzle  19   a  to puncture the packet  41   a  to provide the flow of hot water to the tamped coffee in the packet  41   a . Known coffee packets include internal filters to allow a flow of hot water through the packet to make the coffee drink while preventing coffee grounds from escaping. The cut in the packet  41   a  made by the knife  50  allows the coffee drink to escape from the packet while filter material in the packet  41   a  prevent coffee grounds from escaping. The tamping spring  36  may also be attached to the lid  14  as in  FIGS. 38A-38C . 
     The packet  41   a  may be an air tight pod containing coffee in filter paper and positioning the knife on the side of the holder base  31   c  results in less likelihood of the knife  50  cutting the filter paper. The packet  41   a  is preferably air tight to maintain coffee freshness and may be plastic, metal foil, or other air tight material which is sufficiently flexible to allow the coffee contained in the packet  41   a  to be tamped. Alternatively, the knife  50  may be eliminated when the packet  41   a  is configured to burst under pressure to expose the coffee, for example, when the coffee maker tamps the coffee, the packet  41   a  also bursts. In one embodiment, filter paper  41  is inserted into the holder base  31   c  without the knife  50 , and the packet  41   a  bursts during compacting to release the coffee into the filter paper. 
     Known coffee makers use a sealed cup or capsule having a somewhat ridged cup with a foil cover. Such cups might be compressible and used in the coffee maker  10   d , however, a similar cup or capsule having a less ridged cup which may be compressed in the coffee maker  10   d  are more suitable for use in the coffee maker  10   d  to allow tamping of the coffee contained in the cup or capsule. 
     A fifth coffee maker  10   e  for horizontally receiving the coffee holder  30  is shown in  FIG. 40A , the fifth coffee maker with the coffee holder  30  residing in the coffee maker is shown in  FIG. 40B , and the fifth coffee maker with the coffee maker lid  14  closed and the tamping spring  36  entering the coffee holder  30  for tamping the coffee  41  is shown in  FIG. 40C . The fifth coffee maker  10   d  may alternatively include a tamping spring entering the coffee holder top, or a resilient solid block pushed into the coffee holder  30  to tamp the coffee. Preferably, a horizontal ram  42   a  is actuated when the lid  14  is closed and pushed the coffee holder  30  against the spring  36  to tamp the coffee. The horizontal ram  42   a  may actuated by an electrical solenoid, by pressure, or by mechanical levers connected to the lid  14 . The fifth coffee maker  10   e  may further include any of the features described above for other embodiments of the coffee maker according to the present invention and may be configured to use any of the coffee holders described above according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 41A  shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   d  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker,  FIG. 41B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   d ,  FIG. 41C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   d , and  FIG. 42  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d  residing vertically taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41B . The coffee holder base  31   d  includes a solid (having no holes) floor  61 , an interior  62  for receiving brewing material, walls  63  rising from the floor  61 , and a rim  66  at the top of the walls  63 . A passage  64  is formed on the side of the coffee holder  31   d . The passage  64  is in fluid communication with the interior  62  through ports  60   a  allowing brewed liquid in the interior  62  to pass into the passage  64 . The rim  66  has a radius R 1  sized to fit into a coffee maker, for example, about one inch. The radius R 1  for a known coffee maker is not greater than about two inches, and is preferably about two inches. 
       FIG. 43A  shows a side view of a first embodiment of a coffee holder lid (or cover)  32   f  for the coffee holder base  31   d ,  FIG. 43B  shows a top view of the holder lid  32   f , and  FIG. 43C  is a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder lid  32   f  taken along line  43 C- 43 C of  FIG. 43B . The coffee holder lid  32   f  is attachable to the coffee holder base  31   d . preferably through an interference fit. and may include O-rings  50  to facilitate the interference fit. The coffee holder lid  32   f  has a mostly circular perimeter and a protrusion  72  for mating to the coffee maker, and may include recesses  70  and  74  to aid in sealing to the coffee maker, and inlet port  71  for receiving heated water preferably through an injection nozzle  19  (see  FIG. 2A ) and an outlet port  76  for carrying brewed drink from the coffee holder base  31 d. The coffee holder lid  32   f  may further include a diffuser portion  78  having diffuser ports  79  for distributing heated water into brewing material in the interior  62  and restricting brewing material from contacting the injection nozzle  19 . The diffuser ports may vary in size and/or number, with smaller and/or fewer ports adjacent to the protrusion  72 , to provide more heated water to the higher areas of the interior  62  when the coffee holder base  31   d  resides on it&#39;s side in a coffee maker. The holder lid  32   f  has a radius R 2  sized to seat the cartridge in a coffee maker. The radius R 2  for a known coffee maker is about 1.2 inches. 
       FIG. 44A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d , coffee holder lid  32   f , and a pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″ containing brewing material,  FIG. 44B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d , coffee holder lid  32   f , and the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″ containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder base  31   d ,  FIG. 44C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   a  configured to reside horizontally in a brewing chamber  92  of the coffee machine configured to receive a single serving brewing cartridge, and  FIG. 44D  shows the nozzles  19  and  90  in an interfacing side  92   a  of the brewing chamber  92  engaging the horizontally residing cartridge  70   a . The pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″ is purchased in a pre-packaged form containing brewing material. The cartridge  70   a  may be similarly prepared using a filter paper cup  40  or  40 ′ (see  FIGS. 7A and 7C ) which may be purchased in an empty state, and brewing material may be added to the filter paper cup  40  or  40 ′ before or after seating the filter paper cup  40  or  40 ′ in the coffee holder  32   j . When the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″ or the filter paper cup  40 ′ having a lid  40   d  is used, the filter paper cup  40 ′ or  40 ″ may be pierced by the nozzle  19  entering through the inlet port  71  to receive a low of heated water  19   a  and by an extraction nozzle  90  through the outlet port  76  to release a generally horizontal flow of brewed drink  90   a  into the coffee machine. The brewing chamber  92  further includes a drain  94  for any brewed drink which escapes the assembled cartridge  70   a , and such escaping brewed drink is combined with the flow of brewed drink  90   a  for release to a cup or the like. In one embodiment, the cartridge  70   a  is configured for use in a coffee maker sold under the KEURIG trademark accepting disposable single serving coffee cartridges sold under the trademark VUE. The cartridge height H may vary between, for example, between 1.3 and 1.8 inches. 
     The filter paper rim  40   c  of the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″ is seen to rest on the rim  66  of the coffee holder base  31   d  in  FIG. 44B , and is sandwiched between the rim  66  and the holder lid  32   f  of the assembled cartridge  70   a  in  FIG. 44C . Such sandwiching provides support for the walls  40   a  of the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″. Further, after use, coffee holder lid may be detached from the coffee holder base, and the coffee holder base and/or coffee holder lid may be recycled or reused, and the filter paper cup and used brewing material may be discarded or recycled. The assembled cartridge  70   a  is configured to reside generally horizontally in the brewing chamber  92 , and may reside at a small angle from horizontal, as long as the coffee holder base  31   d  provides a slope to allow the brewed drink to flow from the interior  62  into the passage  64  and out of the assembled cartridge  70   a.    
       FIG. 45A  shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   e ,  FIG. 45B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   e ,  FIG. 45C  shows a front view of the eleventh coffee holder base  31   e , and  FIG. 46  shows a cross-sectional view of the eleventh coffee holder base  31   e , showing a tamper  34  in the coffee holder base  31   e , taken along line  46 - 46  of  FIG. 45B . The coffee holder base  31   e  includes the tamper  34  supported by tamping spring  36 . The coffee holder base  31   e  otherwise may include some or all of the features of the coffee holder base  31   d.    
       FIG. 47A  shows a side view of a coffee holder lid  32   g  for the coffee holder base  31   e  and  FIG. 47B  shows a top view of the coffee holder lid  32   g . The coffee holder lid  32   g  may include a shallow diffuser  78 ′ allowing additional volume for the tamper  34  and tamping spring  36  inside the holder base  31   e , and otherwise may include some or all of the features of the holder lid  32   f.    
       FIG. 48A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   e , coffee holder lid  32   g , and pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″,  FIG. 48B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   e , coffee holder lid  32   g , and the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″ residing in the coffee holder base  31   e , and  FIG. 48C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   b  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. The cartridge  70   b  provides tamping to provide better extraction of brewed drink, and otherwise may include some or all of the features of the cartridge  70   a . In another embodiment the tamper  34  and tamping spring  36  may reside in the coffee maker (see  FIG. 22A ) and enter the coffee holder base through a passage in the floor of the coffee holder base. In still another embodiment the tamper  34  and tamping spring  36  may reside in the coffee maker (see  FIG. 18B ) and enter the coffee holder base through a passage in the coffee holder cover. 
       FIG. 49A  shows a side view of a second embodiment of a pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ′″ containing brewing material and  FIG. 49B  shows a top view of the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ′″. The pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ′″ includes an extended rim  40   c ′ extending over the passage  64  of the coffee holders  31   d  and  31   e.    
       FIG. 50A  shows a side view of a third coffee holder lid  32   h  for a horizontal residing coffee holder and  FIG. 50B  shows a top view of the coffee holder lid  32   h . The holder lid  32   h  does not include a diffuser but otherwise may include some or all of the features of the holder lid  32   g.    
       FIG. 51A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d , coffee holder lid  32   h , and the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ′″ containing brewing material,  FIG. 51B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d , the coffee holder lid  32   h , and the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ′″ residing in the coffee holder base  31   d , and  FIG. 51C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   c  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. The extended rim  40   a ′ is sandwiched between the rim  66  of the coffee holder base  31   d  and the coffee holder lid  32   h , including over the passage  64 . 
       FIG. 52A  shows a side view of a pre-pack brewing material  69 ,  FIG. 52B  shows a top view of the pre-pack brewing material  69 , and  FIG. 52C  shows a bottom view of the pre-pack brewing material  69 . The pre-pack brewing material  69  contains a filter paper cup  40 ″″ containing brewing material and includes adhesive  73  (see  FIG. 55A ) residing on a bottom surface  83  (see  FIG. 55A ) of a rim of a cover  69   a . The cover  69   a  may be filter paper, or be a peal off protective foil, plastic foil, metal foil, or the like. The adhesive  73  is covered by a peel-off strip  75  which is removed before use. The rim  40   c  of the filter paper cup  40 ″″ is held against the cover  69   a . Alternatively, a consumer fillable filter paper cup may also include the adhesive  73  and peel-off strip  75  for fixing to a coffee holder. 
       FIG. 53A  shows a side view of the peel-off strip  75  and  FIG. 53B  shows a top view of the peel-off strip  75 . 
       FIG. 54A  shows a side view of a peel-off packaging  77  and  FIG. 54B  shows a top view of the peel-off packaging  77 . The peel-off packaging  77  both covers the adhesive  73  and the walls and base of the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″″, thereby protecting the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″″ from moisture and potential damage. The peel-off packaging  77  may be a foil, plastic foil, metal foil, or similar material. After the peel-off packaging  77  is removed, the cover  69   a  may be punctured during use. 
       FIG. 55A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d  and the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″″ before assembly,  FIG. 55B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d  and the pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″″ just after assembly, and  FIG. 55C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   d  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. A rim  81  of the filter paper cup  40 ″″ is exposed when the peel-off strip  75  or the peel-off packaging  77  is peeled away from the filter paper cup  40 ″″. The pre-pack filter paper cup  40 ″″ may similarly be used with a coffee holder base  31   e  having a light tamping spring  36 . 
       FIG. 56  shows a rimmed concave mesh brewing material holder (e.g., filter)  80  having a rim  82 . The rimmed mesh brewing material holder  80  may be made from any suitable mesh material, for example, metal mesh, plastic mesh, cloth mesh, or the like, which is suitable for filtering a brewed liquid and capturing a brewing material. The rim  82  is a pliable material conforming to hard surfaces. 
       FIG. 57A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   d , the rimmed mesh brewing material holder  80 , brewing material  41 , and the holder lid  32   f  before assembly into a cartridge,  FIG. 57B  shows a cross-sectional view of the mesh brewing material holder  80  residing in the coffee holder base  31   d ,  FIG. 57C  shows a cross-sectional view of the brewing material  41  residing in the mesh brewing material holder  80  residing in the coffee holder base  31   d , and  FIG. 57D  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   e  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. The rim  82  is sandwiched between the coffee holder base  31   d  and the holder cover  32   f  to hold the mesh brewing material holder  80  in place. 
       FIG. 58A  shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   f .  FIG. 58B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   f ,  FIG. 58C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   f , and  FIG. 59  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   f  taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58B . The coffee holder base  31   f  includes a mesh window  84  in the coffee holder wall separating the interior  62  from the passage  64 . The mesh window  84  may be a metal mesh, a cloth mesh, a plastic mesh, or any mesh suitable to allow a beverage to pass while capturing brewing material. 
       FIG. 60A  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   f , the coffee holder lid  32   f , and brewing material  41 ,  FIG. 60B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   f , coffee holder lid  32   f , and brewing material  41  residing in the coffee holder base  31   f , and  FIG. 60C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   f  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. 
       FIG. 61A  shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   g  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker,  FIG. 61B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   g ,  FIG. 61C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   g , and  FIG. 62  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   g  taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41B . The coffee holder base  31   g  includes a raised outlet  86  for mating with the brewing chamber  92  (see  FIG. 44C ) which replaces corresponding features of, for example, the coffee holder lid  32   f  (see  FIGS. 43A and 43B ). The raised outlet  86  preferably includes the recess  74  and outlet port  76  of the coffee holder lid  32   f  (see  FIGS. 43B and 43C ). The coffee holder  31   g  may include some or all of the additional features of the coffee holder  31   d.    
       FIG. 63A  shows a side view of a ninth embodiment of a coffee holder lid  32   i , according to the present invention, for the coffee holder base  31   g ,  FIG. 63B  shows a top view of the coffee holder lid  32   i ,  FIG. 63C  is a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder lid  32   i  taken along line  43 C- 43 C of  FIG. 43B . The coffee holder lid  32   i  defines a generally round perimeter  88  and does not include the recess  74  and outlet port  76  residing on the protrusion  72  of the coffee holder lid  32   f . Other than the protrusion  72 , recess  74 , and outlet port  76 , the coffee holder lid  32   i  may include some or all of the features of the coffee holder  30   f.    
       FIG. 64A  shows a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth coffee holder  31   g , the coffee holder lid  32   i , and a filter paper cup  40 ′ containing brewing material,  FIG. 64B  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder  31   g , the coffee holder lid  32   i , and the filter paper cup  40 ′ containing brewing material residing in the coffee holder base  31   g , and  FIG. 64C  shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   g  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker with the rim  40   c  of the filter paper cup  40 ′ sandwiched between the coffee holder base  31   g  and coffee holder lid  32   i.    
     While the assembled cartridge  70   g  is described containing the filter paper cup  40 ′ containing brewing material, in another embodiment, the filter paper cup  40 ′ may be replaced by the mesh brewing material holder  80  (see  FIG. 56 ). Further, another embodiment of the coffee holder base  31   g  may include the mesh window  84  of the coffee holder base  31   f  (see  FIGS. 58B and 59 ) and brewing material  41  may be placed directly into the coffee holder base  31   f  as seen in  FIGS. 60A-60C . 
       FIG. 65A  shows a side view of an eighth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   h  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention,  FIG. 65B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   h ,  FIG. 65C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   h , and  FIG. 66  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   h  taken along line  66 - 66  of  FIG. 65B . The coffee holder base  31   h  includes a generally cylindrical passage  64  receiving brewed drink from the interior  62  of the coffee holder base  31   h . The coffee holder base  31   h  otherwise may include some or all of the feature of the coffee holder base  31   d  (see  FIGS. 41A ,  41 B,  41 C, and  42 ). 
       FIG. 67A  shows a side view of an ninth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   i  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker, according to the present invention,  FIG. 67B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   i ,  FIG. 67C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   i , and  FIG. 68  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   i  taken along line  68 - 68  of  FIG. 67B . The coffee holder base  31   i  includes a generally triangular passage  64  receiving brewed drink from the interior  62  of the coffee holder base  31   i . The coffee holder base  31   i  otherwise may include some or all of the feature of the coffee holder base  31   d  (see  FIGS. 41A ,  41 B,  41 C, and  42 ). 
     It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the passage  64  may take on a variety of shapes, and a coffee holder base have any shaped passage receiving a flow of brewed drink from the interior of the coffee holder base, and providing that flow to the extraction nozzle  90  (see  FIG. 44C ) is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 69A  shows a side view of an tenth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   j  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker,  FIG. 69B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   j ,  FIG. 69C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   j , and  FIG. 66  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   j  taken along line  70 - 70  of  FIG. 69B . The coffee holder base  31   j  includes a shortened passage  64 ′ and a port  60   a  allowing brewed drink to pass from the interior  62  of the coffee holder base  31   h  into the passage  64 ′. 
       FIG. 71  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   h  including the fourteenth coffee holder configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. The cartridge  70   j  includes the coffee holder base  31   j  having the shortened passage  64 ′, and otherwise may include some or all of the features of the cartridge  70   a . Because the coffee holder base  31   j  is tapered, the brewed drink flow naturally towards the port  60   a  and into the shortened passage  64 ′. 
     The holder bases and covers described above are intended to interface with both the injection nozzle  19  and the extraction nozzle  90 . While such interface provides the intended extraction of brewed material, experimentation has shown the unexpected result that adequate extraction of brewed beverage is achieved by merely allowing the cartridge to drain into the coffee make cavity provided for the cartridge.  FIG. 72A  shows a side view of an eleventh embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   k  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker,  FIG. 72B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   k ,  FIG. 72C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   k , and  FIG. 73  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   k  taken along line  73 - 73  of  FIG. 72B . The coffee holder base  31   k  has a generally frustoconical shape with a port  60   a  located near the top rim. The coffee holder base  31   k  may further include indicia  96  for positioning the coffee holder base  31   k  in the coffee maker. The indicia  96  is opposite the port  60   a  to facilitate positioning the coffee holder base  31   k  with the port  60   a  down for release of brewed beverage into the coffee maker cavity. The indicia  96  may be a raised bar, an arrow, a color, or any indicia suitable to indicating the position of the coffee holder base  31   k.    
       FIG. 74  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled cartridge  70   i  including the eleventh coffee holder base  31   k  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker. While The cartridge  70   i  includes the coffee holder base  31   k  having the port  60   a ′, and otherwise may include some or all of the features of the cartridge  70   a . The port  60   a  is open to allow a flow of brewed drink  94   a  to enter the brewing chamber  92  containing the cartridge  70   i  and to flow out through the drain  94 . Advantageously, the drain  94  empties into a cup positioned to receive the brewed drink. Thus it is seen that the brewed drink is not required to flow from the cartridge  70   i  through the extraction nozzle  90  to fill a cup. 
       FIG. 75A  shows a side view of a twelfth embodiment of a coffee holder base  31   l  configured to reside horizontally in a coffee maker,  FIG. 75B  shows a top view of the coffee holder base  31   l ,  FIG. 75C  shows a front view of the coffee holder base  31   l , and  FIG. 76  shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee holder base  31   l  taken along line  76 - 76  of  FIG. 75B . The coffee holder base  31   l  includes an alignment feature  98  which aligns with a rounded notch in known coffee makers. The coffee holder base  31   l  may further include some or all of the features of the coffee holder base  31   k  and may be used in the same manner as the coffee holder base  31   k.    
     While the present invention is described above as placing loose coffee in a coffee holder, the invention may also be practiced by placing prepackaged coffee, for example coffee pods, into the coffee holder. Further, while the coffee holder is generally described as having a snap on lid, a screw on lid may also be used, and in general the various elements of different embodiments described above may be mixed to provide new embodiments and such new embodiments are intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.