Abstract:
Coffee making apparatus and methods provide a tamped packing of loose ground coffee thereby obtaining richer flavor. The Coffee maker includes a reservoir, a pump, a heater, and a check valve. Coffee grounds are first loosely deposited in a coffee holder and then tamped onto a compacted state. The coffee holder may be filled loosely with the coffee and then placed into the coffee making apparatus and compacted, or the coffee may be compacted in the coffee holder and then the coffee holder placed into the coffee making apparatus. The compacting may be by a spring or by a resilient solid material and may be part of the coffee holder or part of the coffee making apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to coffee makers and in particular to a coffee maker utilizing a stream of hot water through tamped ground coffee. 
         [0002]    Coffee is generally prepared in a coffee maker by measuring an amount of ground coffee into a coffee filter, closing a lid over the ground coffee, and providing a stream of hot water through the loosely packed ground coffee. Unfortunately, water passes freely through the loosely packed ground coffee and does not obtain the full flavor which might otherwise be obtained. 
         [0003]    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 overcomes this problem by packaging the coffee in closed filter paper commonly called a pod, and inserting the closed pod into a pod holder including a tamping spring and bottom tamper for tamping the pod between the bottom tamper and a coffee holder lid. While the pod adapter of the &#39;831 application works well for coffee pods, it does not allow the simple use of bulk ground coffee not packaged in the closed pod. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a coffee making apparatus and methods which provide a tamped packing of loose ground coffee thereby obtaining richer flavor. The Coffee maker includes a reservoir, a pump, a heater, and a check valve. Coffee grounds are first loosely deposited in a coffee holder and then tamped onto a compacted state. The coffee holder may be filled loosely with the coffee and then placed into the coffee making apparatus and compacted, or the coffee may be compacted in the coffee holder and then the coffee holder placed into the coffee making apparatus. The compacting may be by a spring or by a resilient solid material and may be part of the coffee holder or part of the coffee making apparatus. 
         [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for tamping coffee. The apparatus includes a coffee maker and a coffee holder. The coffee holder receives a portion of untamped coffee and a holder lid closes the coffee holder after receiving the untamped coffee. A tamper resides inside the coffee holder and limits the portion of the coffee holder interior accessible by the untamped coffee and partially resides outside the coffee holder. The coffee maker includes a coffee maker lid openable to position the coffee holder inside the coffee maker, a coffee holder cavity under the coffee maker lid for receiving the coffee holder. A pad residing on a bottom surface of the coffee maker lid and is configured to reduce the combined vertical space occupied by the coffee holder and tamper to urge the tamper into the coffee holder thereby tamping the coffee. A hot water nozzle is attached to the coffee maker for providing a flow of hot water to the tamped coffee to make a coffee drink. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for tamping coffee. The apparatus includes a coffee maker and a coffee holder. The coffee holder has a coffee holder interior space for receiving a portion of untamped coffee and a holder lid closing the coffee holder interior space after receiving the untamped coffee. The coffee maker includes a coffee maker lid openable to position the coffee holder inside the coffee maker and a coffee holder cavity under the coffee maker lid for receiving the coffee holder. A tamper residing in the coffee holder cavity is coupled to the coffee holder lid to advance into the coffee holder interior space when the coffee maker lid is closed. A hot water nozzle attached to the coffee maker for providing a flow of hot water to the tamped coffee to make a coffee drink. 
         [0007]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a coffee making system combining a forced flow of heated water forced though tamped coffee, and apparatus and methods for tamping loose coffee for use in the coffee maker. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0008]    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: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  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. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a functional diagram of the coffee maker. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a first coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      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 . 
           [0016]      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. 
           [0017]      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. 
           [0018]      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. 
           [0019]      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. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the first holder lid. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of a filter paper cup according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the filter paper cup according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7C  is a second embodiment of the filter paper cup with a lid. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  shows the first coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  shows the first coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8C  shows the first coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a second coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      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 . 
           [0029]      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. 
           [0030]      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. 
           [0031]      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. 
           [0032]      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. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the second holder lid. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the bottom tamper. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14A  shows the second coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
           [0036]      FIG. 14B  shows the second coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14C  shows the second coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a third coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      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 . 
           [0040]      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. 
           [0041]      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. 
           [0042]      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. 
           [0043]      FIG. 18A  shows the third coffee holder ready for insertion into a second coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 18B  shows the third coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0045]      FIG. 18C  shows the third coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0046]      FIG. 19  is a side view of a fourth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      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 . 
           [0048]      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. 
           [0049]      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. 
           [0050]      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. 
           [0051]      FIG. 22A  shows the fourth coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
           [0052]      FIG. 22B  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0053]      FIG. 22C  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0054]      FIG. 23A  shows the fourth coffee holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker having a tamping block according to the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 23B  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker having the tamping block before tamping the coffee. 
           [0056]      FIG. 23C  shows the fourth coffee holder inserted into the coffee maker having the tamping block after tamping the coffee. 
           [0057]      FIG. 24  is a side view of a fifth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0058]      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 . 
           [0059]      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. 
           [0060]      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. 
           [0061]      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. 
           [0062]      FIG. 27  is a side view of a sixth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0063]      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 . 
           [0064]      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. 
           [0065]      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. 
           [0066]      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. 
           [0067]      FIG. 30  is a side view of a seventh coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0068]      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 . 
           [0069]      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. 
           [0070]      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. 
           [0071]      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. 
           [0072]      FIG. 33  is a side view of an eighth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0073]      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. 
           [0074]      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. 
           [0075]      FIG. 35  is a side view of a ninth coffee holder according to the present invention. 
           [0076]      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. 
           [0077]      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. 
           [0078]      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. 
           [0079]      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. 
           [0080]      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. 
           [0081]      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. 
           [0082]      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. 
           [0083]      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. 
           [0084]      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. 
           [0085]      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. 
           [0086]      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. 
           [0087]      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. 
           [0088]      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. 
           [0089]      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. 
       
    
    
       [0090]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0091]    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. 
         [0092]    A front view of a coffee  10  maker according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1A  a side view of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 1B , and a top view of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 1C . 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. 
         [0093]    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. 2 . 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 . 
         [0094]    A functional diagram of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2A . 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 a 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. 
         [0095]    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 ). 
         [0096]    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 . 
         [0097]    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 . 
         [0098]    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.    
         [0099]    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. 
         [0100]    The filter cups may be made from several materials including filter paper, nylon mesh, steel mesh, or any material suitable for filtration. 
         [0101]    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.    
         [0102]    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.    
         [0103]    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. 11B . 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. 
         [0104]    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.    
         [0105]    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 . 
         [0106]    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. 
         [0107]    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.    
         [0108]    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 make  10   b  (see  FIGS. 18A-18C ) including apparatus for entering the coffee holder for tamping the loose coffee  41 . 
         [0109]    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 . 
         [0110]    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 . 
         [0111]    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 . 
         [0112]    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 . 
         [0113]    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 . 
         [0114]    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.    
         [0115]    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 . 
         [0116]    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. 
         [0117]    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. 
         [0118]    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 . 
         [0119]    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 . 
         [0120]    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. 
         [0121]    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. 
         [0122]    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. 
         [0123]    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 . 
         [0124]    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 . 
         [0125]    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. 
         [0126]    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. 
         [0127]    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. 
         [0128]    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. 
         [0129]    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.