Abstract:
A self-tamping brewing material holder tamps loose ground brewing material obtaining richer flavor. The brewing material holder includes a holder base and a holder lid. Brewing material is loosely deposited in the brewing material holder base and the holder lid is attached to the holder base. Cooperation of the holder base and holder lid biases a tam per against the brewing material to tamp the brewing material. The tamping may be biased by a spring or by a resilient solid material attached to the brewing material holder lid and push the brewing material down inside the base or may be biased by a spring or by a spring or resilient solid material attached to the brewing material holder base and push the brewing material up against the holder lid. Heated water is pumped through the lid and into the brewing material during brewing.

Description:
The present application is a Continuation In Part of: 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/610,181 filed Oct. 30, 2009; 
             U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/620,584 filed Nov. 17, 2009; 
             U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/762,262 filed Apr. 16, 2010; and 
             U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/222,333 filed Mar. 21, 2014, which applications are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
           
         
       
     
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to coffee makers and in particular to a method for using a brewing material holder which tamps brewing material. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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 some applications, it does not facilitate the simple use of bulk ground coffee in all general coffee makers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a self-tamping brewing material holder which tamps loose ground brewing material obtaining richer flavor. The brewing material holder includes a holder base and a holder lid. Brewing material is loosely deposited in the brewing material holder base and the holder lid is attached to the holder base. Cooperation of the holder base and holder lid biases a tam per against the brewing material to tamp the brewing material. The tamping may be biased by a spring or by a resilient solid material attached to the brewing material holder lid and push the brewing material down inside the base or may be biased by a spring or by a spring or resilient solid material attached to the brewing material holder base and push the brewing material up against the holder lid. Heated water is pumped through the lid and into the brewing material during brewing. 
         [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a coffee making system including tamping coffee. The holder receives a portion of untamped brewing material and a holder lid closes the holder after receiving the untamped brewing material. A tamper resides inside the brewing material holder and tamps the coffee as the holder lid is closed. After tamping, the brewing material holder is engaged with a suitable coffee maker. Water is heated and pumped into the holder under pressure to mix with the tamped brewing material to make a brewed drink. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a self tamping brewing material holder. The holder includes a reusable holder lid and a reusable holder base containing a single serving of brewing material. A tamper is attached to the holder lid and biased into the holder base by an urging member comprising a spring, a compressible member, or a resilient member to tamp the brewing material. The brewing material holder engages a coffee maker including a coffee maker pump and water heater. The coffee maker pumps heated water into the reusable brewing material holder and into the brewing material to prepare a serving of brewed drink. 
         [0011]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a self tamping brewing material holder. The holder includes a reusable holder lid and a reusable holder base containing a single serving of brewing material. A tamper is attached to the holder base and biased toward the holder lid by an urging member comprising a spring, a compressible member, or a resilient member to tamp the brewing material. The brewing material holder engages a coffee maker including a coffee maker pump and water heater. The coffee maker pumps heated water into the reusable brewing material holder and into the brewing material to prepare a serving of brewed drink. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    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: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the coffee maker with an open lid allowing placement of a brewing material holder according to the present invention inside the coffee maker. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a functional diagram of the coffee maker. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a first brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing an empty brewing material holder with the tamping spring and the bottom tamper according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the brewing material holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, a portion of brewing material, and the holder lid ready to attach to a holder base according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the brewing material holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the reusable holder base according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the brewing material holder with the tamping spring and bottom tamper, the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid attached to the brewing material holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the first holder lid. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of a filter paper cup according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the filter paper cup according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7C  is a second embodiment of the filter paper cup with a lid. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8A  shows the first brewing material holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8B  shows the first brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8C  shows the first brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a second brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing an empty brewing material holder with the tamping spring and the top tamper according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the brewing material holder with the holder lid, tamping spring and top tamper, and a portion of brewing material, ready to attach according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the portion of untamped brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid, tamping spring and top tamper, ready to attach to the reusable holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11D  is a cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line 10-10 of  FIG. 9  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder and the tamping spring, top tamper, and the holder lid attached to the brewing material holder, according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the second holder lid. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the bottom tamper. 
           [0039]      FIG. 14A  shows the second brewing material holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
           [0040]      FIG. 14B  shows the second brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0041]      FIG. 14C  shows the second brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0042]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a third brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 17A  is a cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the portion of brewing material above the brewing material holder and the top tamper and the holder lid ready to attach to the brewing material holder, according to the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the top tamper and the holder lid ready to attach to the brewing material holder, according to the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the bottom tamper, the top tamper, and the holder lid attached to the brewing material holder, according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 18A  shows the third brewing material holder ready for insertion into a second coffee maker according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 18B  shows the third brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0049]      FIG. 18C  shows the third brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0050]      FIG. 19  is a side view of a fourth brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 21A  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the brewing material holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of brewing material, and the holder lid ready to attach, according to the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 21B  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the brewing material holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid ready to attach, according to the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 21C  is a cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the brewing material holder with the bottom tamper, a portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid attached, according to the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 22A  shows the fourth brewing material holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker. 
           [0056]      FIG. 22B  shows the fourth brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker before tamping the coffee. 
           [0057]      FIG. 22C  shows the fourth brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker after tamping the coffee. 
           [0058]      FIG. 23A  shows the fourth brewing material holder ready for insertion into the coffee maker having a tamping block according to the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 23B  shows the fourth brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker having the tamping block before tamping the coffee. 
           [0060]      FIG. 23C  shows the fourth brewing material holder inserted into the coffee maker having the tamping block after tamping the coffee. 
           [0061]      FIG. 24  is a side view of a fifth brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0062]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0063]      FIG. 26A  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the portion of brewing material above the brewing material holder base, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring, ready to attach to the brewing material holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0064]      FIG. 26B  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the brewing material holder with the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring ready to attach to the brewing material holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0065]      FIG. 26C  is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid with the top tamper and tamping spring attached to the reusable holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0066]      FIG. 27  is a side view of a sixth brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0067]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 . 
           [0068]      FIG. 29A  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the portion of brewing material above the brewing material holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the reusable holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0069]      FIG. 29B  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the reusable holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0070]      FIG. 29C  is a cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid attached and tam ping the coffee, according to the present invention. 
           [0071]      FIG. 30  is a side view of a seventh brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0072]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 . 
           [0073]      FIG. 32A  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the portion of brewing material above the brewing material holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the reusable holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0074]      FIG. 32B  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid ready to attach to the reusable holder base, according to the present invention. 
           [0075]      FIG. 32C  is a cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder according to the present invention taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid attached to the reusable holder base and the coffee tamped between the bottom tamper and spring and the holder lid, according to the present invention. 
           [0076]      FIG. 33  is a side view of an eighth brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0077]      FIG. 34A  is a cross-sectional side view of the eighth brewing material holder taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing a portion of brewing material for placing inside the brewing material holder and the holder lid with an insertable portion and an O-Ring inside the brewing material holder for sealing according to the present invention. 
           [0078]      FIG. 34B  is a cross-sectional side view of the eighth brewing material holder taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing the portion of brewing material inside the brewing material holder and the holder lid with the insertable portion inserted into the brewing material holder and cooperating with the O-Ring inside the brewing material holder for sealing. 
           [0079]      FIG. 35  is a side view of a ninth brewing material holder according to the present invention. 
           [0080]      FIG. 36A  is a cross-sectional side view of the ninth brewing material holder taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing a portion of brewing material for placing inside the brewing material holder and a holder lid with a threaded portion for screwing inside the reusable holder base for sealing according to the present invention. 
           [0081]      FIG. 36B  is a cross-sectional side view of the ninth brewing material holder taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing the portion of brewing material inside the brewing material holder and a holder lid with the threaded portion screwed into the reusable holder base and tam ping the coffee according to the present invention. 
           [0082]      FIG. 37A  shows a third coffee maker having a brewing material holder for receiving a portion of brewing material and tamping spring according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
           [0083]      FIG. 37B  shows the third coffee maker with the brewing material holder holding the portion of brewing material and the tamping spring under the brewing material holder according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
           [0084]      FIG. 37C  shows the third coffee maker with the brewing material holder holding the portion of tamped brewing material with the coffee maker lid closed for tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
           [0085]      FIG. 38A  shows a third coffee maker having a brewing material holder for receiving a portion of brewing material 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. 
           [0086]      FIG. 38B  shows the third coffee maker with the brewing material holder holding the portion of untamped brewing material according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
           [0087]      FIG. 38C  shows the third coffee maker with the brewing material holder holding the portion of tamped brewing material with the coffee maker lid closed to push the tamping spring into the brewing material holder for tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
           [0088]      FIG. 39A  shows a fourth coffee maker having a brewing material holder for receiving a packet containing untamped brewing material, 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. 
           [0089]      FIG. 39B  shows the fourth coffee maker with the brewing material holder holding the packet of untamped brewing material according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
           [0090]      FIG. 39C  shows the fourth coffee maker with the brewing material holder holding the packet of tamped brewing material with the coffee maker lid closed to push the tamping spring into the brewing material holder for tamping the coffee according to the present invention. 
           [0091]      FIG. 40A  shows a fifth coffee maker accepting a horizontal brewing material holder and tamping spring residing horizontally in a brewing material holder cavity according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
           [0092]      FIG. 40B  shows the fifth coffee maker with the brewing material holder residing horizontally in the brewing material holder cavity according to the present invention for tamping the coffee when the coffee maker lid is closed. 
           [0093]      FIG. 40C  shows the fifth coffee maker with the brewing material holder residing horizontally in the brewing material holder cavity with the coffee maker lid closed and the brewing material holder pushed against the tamping spring for tamping the coffee, according to the present invention. 
           [0094]      FIG. 41  is a side view of a tenth brewing material holder with straight walls according to the present invention. 
           [0095]      FIG. 42  is a cross-sectional view of the tenth brewing material holder taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41  showing an empty brewing material holder. 
           [0096]      FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view of the tenth brewing material holder taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41  showing a full and tamped brewing material holder. 
           [0097]      FIG. 44  is a side view of an eleventh brewing material holder with straight walls according to the present invention. 
           [0098]      FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view of the eleventh brewing material holder taken along line  45 - 45  of  FIG. 44  showing an empty brewing material holder. 
           [0099]      FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view of the eleventh brewing material holder taken along line  45 - 45  of  FIG. 41  showing a full and tamped brewing material holder. 
           [0100]      FIG. 47A  is a side view of a top tamper. 
           [0101]      FIG. 47B  is a top view of the top tamper. 
           [0102]      FIG. 47C  is a side view of a top tamper with a seal according to the present invention. 
           [0103]      FIG. 47D  is a top view of the top tamper with a seal. 
           [0104]      FIG. 48  is a perspective view of a filter paper cup with a folding cup lid. 
           [0105]      FIG. 49  is a side view of a twelfth brewing material holder with straight walls according to the present invention. 
           [0106]      FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing an empty brewing material holder. 
           [0107]      FIG. 51A  is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup, above the base, and the brewing material holder base. 
           [0108]      FIG. 51B  is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base. 
           [0109]      FIG. 51C  is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base with a filter paper cover folded over the coffee in the filter paper cup. 
           [0110]      FIG. 51D  is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid attached to the base with the coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the brewing material holder base with the coffee tamped. 
           [0111]      FIG. 52  is a side view of a thirteenth brewing material holder with a releaseable tamping latch according to the present invention. 
           [0112]      FIG. 53  is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing an empty brewing material holder. 
           [0113]      FIG. 54A  is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup, above the base, and the brewing material holder base, with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0114]      FIG. 54B  is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base, with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0115]      FIG. 54C  is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0116]      FIG. 54D  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid attached to the base with the coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the brewing material holder base with tamping latch released and the coffee tamped. 
           [0117]      FIG. 55  is a side view of a fourteenth brewing material holder with a releaseable tamping latch according to the present invention. 
           [0118]      FIG. 56  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing an empty brewing material holder. 
           [0119]      FIG. 57A  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup, above the base, and the brewing material holder base, with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0120]      FIG. 57B  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base, with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0121]      FIG. 57C  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base, with the tamping latch released but just prior to tam ping. 
           [0122]      FIG. 57D  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid attached to the base with the coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the brewing material holder base with tamping latch released and the coffee tamped. 
           [0123]      FIG. 58  is a side view of a fourteenth brewing material holder with a releaseable tamping lock according to the present invention. 
           [0124]      FIG. 59  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing an empty brewing material holder. 
           [0125]      FIG. 60A  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing a lid, coffee, a filter paper cup, above the base, and the brewing material holder base, with the tamping lock retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0126]      FIG. 60B  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base, with the tamping lock retaining the bottom tamper. 
           [0127]      FIG. 60C  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base prior to tamping. 
           [0128]      FIG. 60D  is a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing the lid attached to the base with the coffee and the filter paper cup residing in the brewing material holder base with tamping lock released and the coffee tamped. 
           [0129]      FIG. 61  is a top view of a lock according to the present invention. 
           [0130]      FIG. 62  is a bottom view of a second bottom tamper with cooperates with the tamping lock according to the present invention. 
           [0131]      FIG. 63A  is a side view of a filter cup according to the present invention. 
           [0132]      FIG. 63B  is a top view of the filter cup according to the present invention. 
           [0133]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
           [0134]      FIG. 64  shows a brewing material holder with a second embodiment of a lid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0135]    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. 
         [0136]    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 base  12 , an opening lid  14 , a lid handle  16 , a water container  18 , a display  20 , controls  22 , and platform  24 . A cup  26  rests on the platform  24 . The coffee maker  10  provides a flow of hot water through brewing material to produce a brewed drink. The flow of water may be heated by one of any known means, for example, an electrical heating coil, inductive heating, or a conductive coating on tubing carrying the water. 
         [0137]    A side view of the coffee maker  10  with an open lid  14  allowing placement of a brewing material 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 brewing material holder  30  when the lid  14  is closed, and in cooperation with other means discloses hereafter, tamps coffee contained in the brewing material holder  30 . A nozzle  19  extending down from the closed lid  14  directs the flow of hot water into the brewing material holder  30 . 
         [0138]    A functional diagram of the coffee maker  10  is shown in  FIG. 2A . The preferred coffee (or brewing material) maker  10  includes the water tank  18 , water pump  21 , a heater  13 , check valve  23  and the nozzle  19 . The pump  21  preferably provides at least one PSI water pressure. The water heater  13  may include a heating coil, inductive heating, 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 placing the water in the water tank  18  under pressure, and a coffee maker using any means to provide a forced flow of water at above ambient air pressure is intending too within the scope of the present invention. The nozzle  19  provides a closed fluid path  19 ′ from the water pump  21  into the holder  30 . The fluid path  19 ′ has an entry end  19 ″ in fluid communication with the pressurized water from the water pump  21  and a release end  19 ″′ residing inside the holder  30 , and is otherwise closed (i.e., not in fluid communication with ambient air pressure) between the entry end  19 ″ and the release end  19 ′″. The release end  19 ′″ resides in the holder interior and the pressurized flow of water is above ambient pressure at entry into the holder interior. 
         [0139]    A side view of a first brewing material holder  30   a  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3  and a cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder  30   a  including a holder base  31 , a first holder lid  32   a,  a bottom tamper  34 , and a tamping spring  36  according to the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 4 . A volume (or brewing material holder interior)  38  is provided inside the brewing material holder  30   a  to receive brewing material  41 . A passage  33  in the lid  32   a  is provided for the nozzle  19  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0140]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the spring  36  may be replaced by any urging member, for example a compressible member (for example a compressible fluid held inside a membrane), a solid resilient material, or the like, and a brewing material holder including any form of urging member exerting force against a tamper is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0141]    A cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing an empty brewing material 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 brewing material holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the brewing material holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34 , a portion of brewing material  41 , and the holder lid  32   a  ready to attach is shown in  FIG. 5B . A cross-sectional side view of the first brewing material holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the brewing material holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34 , a portion of brewing material 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 brewing material holder  30   a  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the brewing material holder  30   a  with the tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34 , a portion of brewing material  41  in the volume  38 , and the holder lid  32   a  attached to the brewing material holder  30   a,  is shown in  FIG. 5D . 
         [0142]    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 . 
         [0143]    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 filter paper cup  40  may be used with the brewing material holder  30   a  with the rim  40   c  resting on a top edge of the reusable holder base  31  and held between the holder lid and base when the lid is placed on the base, thereby preventing or restricting the escape of brewing material  41  from the cup  40  when hot water flows into the brewing material holder  30   a.    
         [0144]    A second embodiment of the filter paper cup  40 ′ with a folding paper 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 brewing material is poured into the cup. The lid  40   d  preferably includes a perforation  40   e  centered on the lid  40   d  allowing the nozzle  19  to enter and/or inject the hot flow of water into the brewing material  41 . 
         [0145]    The filter cups may be made from several materials including filter paper, nylon mesh, steel mesh, or any material suitable for filtration. 
         [0146]    The first brewing material holder  30   a  is shown ready for insertion into a first coffee maker  10   a  in  FIG. 8A , the first brewing material holder  30   a  is shown inserted into the coffee maker  10  before tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 8B , and the first brewing material holder  30   a  is shown in the coffee maker  10  after tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 8C . The coffee maker includes a cavity  11  for accepting the brewing material holder and has walls  11   a  for aligning the brewing material 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 brewing material holder  30   a  down over the tamping spring  36  and the brewing material  41  is tamped between the lid  32   a  and the bottom tamper  34 . The arms  25  push the brewing material holder  30   a  down ahead of the nozzle  19  thereby seating the brewing material holder  30   a  in the cavity  11  for alignment of the nozzle  19  with the passage  33  in the lid  32   a.    
         [0147]    A side view of a second brewing material holder  30   b  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9  and a cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  is shown in  FIG. 10 . The brewing material holder  30   b  includes the reusable holder base  31 , a second holder lid  32   b,  a tam ping spring  36 , a spring washer  35   a,  and a top tamper  35   b.    
         [0148]    A cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing an empty brewing material holder  30   b  is shown in  FIG. 11A . A cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the holder lid  32   b  and a loose portion of brewing material  41  above the empty brewing material holder  30   b  is shown in  FIG. 11B . A cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder  30   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the holder lid  32   b  above the brewing material holder  30   b  with the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder  32   b  is shown in  FIG. 11C . A cross-sectional side view of the second brewing material holder  32   b  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the brewing material holder with the holder lid  32   b  attached to the brewing material holder  30   b  and a portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder  30   b  is shown in  FIG. 11D . The tamping spring  36  extends upward out of the brewing material holder  30   b  for tamping the brewing material as disclosed hereafter. The top tamper  35   b  includes a passage  35 ′ allowing heated water to be introduced by a coffee maker into the brewing material holder  30   b  under pressure. 
         [0149]    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.    
         [0150]    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 . 
         [0151]    The second brewing material holder  30   b  is shown ready for insertion into the coffee maker  10  in  FIG. 14A , the second brewing material holder  30   b  is shown inserted into the coffee maker  10  before tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 14B , and the second brewing material holder  30   b  is shown in the coffee maker  10  after tamping the brewing material  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 brewing material, but the heated water may pass through the brewing material  41  under the pull of gravity. 
         [0152]    A side view of a third brewing material holder  30   c  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 16  and a cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder  30   c  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  is shown in  FIG. 16 . The brewing material holder  30   c  includes the reusable holder base  31 , the second holder lid  32   b,  the bottom tamper  34 , and the top tamper  35   b.    
         [0153]    A cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder  30   c  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the brewing material holder  30   c  with the holder lid  32   b,  the top tam per  35   b,  and a portion of brewing material, ready to attach to the holder  31 , is shown in  FIG. 17A . A cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the brewing material holder  30   c  with the holder lid  32   b  and the top tam per ready to attach, and a portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder, is shown in  FIG. 17B . A cross-sectional side view of the third brewing material holder  30   c  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing the brewing material holder with the holder lid and the top tam per attached and a loose portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder is shown in  FIG. 17C . The brewing material holder  30   c  is configured to use with a coffee make  10   b  (see  FIGS. 18A-18C ) including apparatus for entering the brewing material holder for tamping the brewing material  41 . 
         [0154]    The third brewing material holder  30   c  ready for insertion into a second coffee maker  10   b  in  FIG. 18A , the third brewing material holder  30   c  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  before tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 18B , and the third brewing material holder  30   c  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  after tamping the brewing material  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 brewing material holder  30   c  through the lid passage  33   a  (see  FIG. 12 ) and pushes the top tamper  35   b  against the brewing material  41  to tamp the brewing material  41 . 
         [0155]    A side view of a fourth brewing material holder  30   d  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 19  and a cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  is shown in  FIG. 20 . The brewing material holder  30   d  includes the reusable holder base  31 , the first holder lid  32   a,  and the bottom tamper  34 . 
         [0156]    A cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the brewing material holder with the bottom tamper  34 , and a portion of brewing material  41  and the holder lid ready to attach is shown in  FIG. 21A . A cross-sectional side view of the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the brewing material holder  30   d  with the bottom tamper  34 , the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material 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 brewing material holder  30   d  taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing the brewing material holder  30   d  with the bottom tamper  34 , a portion of brewing material in the brewing material holder  41 , and the holder lid  32   a  is shown in  FIG. 21C . 
         [0157]    The fourth brewing material holder  30   d  ready for insertion into another embodiment of the second coffee maker  10   b  in  FIG. 22A , the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  before tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 22B , and the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  after tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 22C . The coffee maker  10   b  may include the tamping spring  36  residing in the bottom of the brewing material holder cavity  11 . When the lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  pushed the brewing material holder  30   d  down over the tamping spring  36  and the tamping spring  36  enters the brewing material holder  30   c  through the bottom of the reusable holder base  31  and pushes the bottom tamper  34  against the brewing material  41  to tamp the brewing material  41 . 
         [0158]    The fourth brewing material holder  30   d  ready for insertion into another embodiment of the second coffee maker  10   b  in  FIG. 23A , the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  before tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 23B , and the fourth brewing material holder  30   d  is shown residing in the coffee maker  10   b  after tamping the brewing material  41  in  FIG. 23C . The coffee maker  10   b  may include a resilient block  42  residing in the bottom of the brewing material holder cavity  11 . When the lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  pushed the brewing material holder  30   d  down over the resilient block  42  and the resilient block  42  enters the brewing material holder  30   c  through the bottom of the reusable holder base  31  and pushes the bottom tamper  34  against the brewing material  41  to tamp the brewing material  41 . 
         [0159]    A side view of a fifth brewing material holder  30   e  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 24  and a cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  is shown in  FIG. 25 . The fifth brewing material holder  30   e  includes the reusable holder base  31 , the holder lid  32   b,  the tam ping spring  36  and the top tamper  35   b  attached to the holder lid  32   a.  The top tamper  35   b  includes a passage  35 ′ allowing heated water to be introduced by a coffee maker into the brewing material holder  30   b  under pressure. 
         [0160]    A cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the brewing material holder  30   e  with a portion of brewing material  41 , and the holder lid  32   b  with the top tamper  35   b  and tamping spring  36  attached, above the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26A . A cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the brewing material holder with the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid  32   b  with the top tamper  35   b  and tamping spring  36  attached, above the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 26B . A cross-sectional side view of the fifth brewing material holder  30   e  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24  showing the brewing material holder  30   e  with the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder  30   e,  and the holder lid  32   b  with the top tamper  35   b  and tamping spring  36  attached to the reusable holder base  31  is shown in  FIG. 26D . The tamping spring  36  and top tamper  35   b  tamp the brewing material  41  to provide a tamped brewing material when the holder lid  32   b  is attached to the reusable holder base  31 . 
         [0161]    A side view of a sixth brewing material holder  30   f  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 27  and a cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder  30   f  taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  is shown in  FIG. 28 . The sixth brewing material holder  30   f  includes the reusable holder base  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 brewing material holder  30   f.  The recessed portion  32 ′ is preferably a solid resilient material. 
         [0162]    A cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder  30   f  taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the sixth brewing material holder  30   f  with a portion of brewing material  41 , and the holder lid  32   c,  above the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 29A . A cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder  30   f  taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the brewing material holder  30   f  with the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder, and the holder lid  32   c  above the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 29B . A cross-sectional side view of the sixth brewing material holder  30   f  along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27  showing the sixth brewing material holder  30   f  with the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder  30   e,  and the holder lid  32   e  attached to the reusable holder base  31  is shown in  FIG. 26D . The recessed portion  32 ′ tamps the brewing material  41  to provide a tamped brewing material when the holder lid  32   e  is attached to the reusable holder base  31 . The recessed portion  32 ′ is preferably made from a resilient material to cushion the tamping of the brewing material. 
         [0163]    A side view of a seventh brewing material holder  30   g  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 30  and a cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  is shown in  FIG. 31 . The seventh brewing material holder  30   g  includes the reusable holder base  31 , the holder lid  32   b,  the tam ping spring  36 , and the bottom tamper  34  inside the reusable holder base  31 . 
         [0164]    A cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the seventh brewing material holder  30   g  with a portion of brewing material  41  and the holder lid  32   a  above the reusable holder base  31 , and with the bottom tamper  34  and tamping spring  36  inside the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 32A . A cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the brewing material holder with the portion of brewing material  41  in the filter paper  40  in the reusable holder base  31  resting on the bottom tamper  34  supported by the tamping spring  36 , and the holder lid  32   a  above the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 32B . A cross-sectional side view of the seventh brewing material holder  30   g  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 , showing the seventh brewing material holder  30   g  with the portion of brewing material  41  in the brewing material holder  30   e,  and the holder lid  32   a  attached to the reusable holder base  31 , is shown in  FIG. 32C . The tamping spring  36  and bottom tamper  34  tamp the brewing material  41  upward against the holder lid  32   a  to provide a tamped brewing material when the holder lid  32   a  is attached to the reusable holder base  31 . 
         [0165]    A side view of an eighth brewing material holder  30   h  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 33 , a cross-sectional side view of the eighth brewing material holder  30   h  taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing a portion of brewing material  41  for placing inside the brewing material holder and a fourth holder lid  32   d  with an insertable portion and an O-Ring  50  inside the brewing material holder for sealing is shown in  FIG. 34A , and a cross-sectional side view of the eighth brewing material holder taken along line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33  showing the portion of brewing material  41  inside the brewing material holder  30   h  and the holder lid  32   d  with the insertable portion inserted into the brewing material 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 brewing material  41  from escaping when the flow of hot water is provided to the brewing material holder  30   h.  The reusable holder base  31   a  is preferably cylindrical but may also be conical in shape. 
         [0166]    A side view of a ninth brewing material holder  30   i  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 35 , a cross-sectional side view of the ninth brewing material holder  30   i  taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing a portion of brewing material  41  for placing inside the brewing material holder and a fifth holder lid  32   e  with a threaded portion for screwing inside the reusable holder base  31   b  for sealing is shown in  FIG. 36A , and a cross-sectional side view of the ninth brewing material holder  30   i  taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35  showing the portion of brewing material  41  inside the brewing material holder and the holder lid  32   e  with the threaded portion screwed into the brewing material holder and tamping the brewing material  41  is shown in  FIG. 36B . The threads both provide tamping and sealing the coffee to reduce or prevent the brewing material  41  from escaping when the flow of hot water is provided to the brewing material holder  30   h.  The reusable holder base  31   b  is preferably cylindrical to facilitate having internal threads, and at least the threaded portion is preferably cylindrical. 
         [0167]    A third coffee maker  10   c  having a brewing material holder  30  according to the present invention for receiving a portion of brewing material, and a tamping spring  36  for tamping the coffee, is shown in  FIG. 37A , the third coffee maker  10   c  with the brewing material holder  30  holding the portion of brewing material  41  is shown in  FIG. 37B , and the third coffee maker  10   c  with the brewing material holder  30  holding the portion of brewing material  41  with the coffee maker lid  14  closed for tamping the brewing material  41  is shown in  FIG. 37C . When the coffee maker lid  14  is closed, the pad  17  pushes the brewing material holder  30  down and the tamping spring  36  enters the bottom of the brewing material holder  30  to tamp the brewing material  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 brewing material  41  in the holder  30 . In this instance, the coffee maker lid  14  serves as a brewing material holder lid. 
         [0168]    A third coffee maker  10   c  having a brewing material holder for receiving a portion of brewing material, and tamping spring  36  attached to the coffee maker lid  14 , according to the present invention for tamping the brewing material  41  when the coffee maker lid  14  is closed is shown in  FIG. 38A , the third coffee maker  10   c  with the brewing material holder  30  holding the portion of brewing material  41  is shown in  FIG. 38B , and the third coffee maker  10   c  with the brewing material holder  30  holding the portion of brewing material  41  with the coffee maker lid  14  closed to push the tam ping spring  36  into the brewing material holder  30  for tamping the brewing material  41  is shown in  FIG. 38C . 
         [0169]    A fourth coffee maker  10   d  having a third holder base  31   c  for receiving a packet  41   a  containing untamped brewing material, a knife  50  for cutting the packet  41   a  open, and tam ping spring  36  under the reusable holder base  31   c , according to the present invention, for tamping the brewing material when the coffee maker lid is closed, is shown in  FIG. 39A , the fourth coffee maker  10   d  with the reusable holder base  31   c  holding the packet  41   a  of untamped brewing material is shown in  FIG. 39B , and fourth coffee maker with the reusable holder base  31   c  holding the packet of tamped brewing material  41   c  with the coffee maker lid  14  closed to push the reusable holder base down over the tamping spring  36  for tamping the brewing material 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 brewing material in the packet  41   a . Known brewing material packets include internal filters to allow a flow of hot water through the packet to make the brewed drink while preventing brewing material grounds from escaping. The cut in the packet  41   a  made by the knife  50  allows the brewed drink to escape from the packet while filter material in the packet  41   a  prevents brewing material grounds from escaping. The tamping spring  36  may also be attached to the lid  14  as in  FIGS. 38A-38C . 
         [0170]    The packet  41   a  may be an air tight pod containing brewing material in filter paper and positioning the knife on the side of the reusable 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 brewing material, for example, when the coffee maker tamps the brewing material, the packet  41   a  also bursts. In one embodiment, filter paper  41  is inserted into the reusable holder base  31   c  without the knife  50 , and the packet  41   a  bursts during compacting to release the brewed drink into the filter paper. 
         [0171]    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 brewing material contained in the cup or capsule. 
         [0172]    A fifth coffee maker  10   e  for horizontally receiving the brewing material holder  30  is shown in  FIG. 40A , the fifth coffee maker with the brewing material 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 brewing material holder  30  for tamping the brewing material  41  is shown in  FIG. 40C . The fifth coffee maker  10   d  may alternatively include a tamping spring entering the brewing material holder top, or a resilient solid block pushed into the brewing material holder  30  to tamp the brewing material. Preferably, a horizontal ram  42   a  is actuated when the lid  14  is closed and pushed the brewing material holder  30  against the spring  36  to tamp the brewing material. The horizontal ram  42   a  may be 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 brewing material holders described above according to the present invention. 
         [0173]    A side view of a tenth brewing material holder  30   j  with straight walls according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 41 , and a cross-sectional view of the tenth brewing material holder  30   j  taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41  showing an empty brewing material holder is shown in  FIG. 42 . The brewing material holder  30   j  provides straight cylindrical inside walls allowing a better fit between the top tamper  35   b  and the inside walls to reduce or eliminate brewing material  41  escaping past the top tamper  35   b  during tamping. 
         [0174]    A cross-sectional view of the tenth brewing material holder  30   j  taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41  showing a full and tamped brewing material holder is shown in  FIG. 43 . The tamping spring  36  has been pushed down by the lid  32   b  to tamp the brewing material  41 . 
         [0175]    A side view of an eleventh brewing material holder  30   k  with straight walls according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 44 , a cross-sectional view of the eleventh brewing material holder  30   k  taken along line  45 - 45  of  FIG. 44  showing an empty brewing material holder is shown in  FIG. 45 , and a cross-sectional view of the eleventh brewing material holder  30   k  taken along line  45 - 45  of  FIG. 41  showing a full and tamped brewing material holder  30   f  is shown in  FIG. 46 . As with the brewing material holder  30   j,  the brewing material holder  30   k  provides straight cylindrical inside walls allowing a better fit between the lid  32   f  and the inside walls to reduce or eliminate brewing material  41  escaping past the lid  32   f  during tamping. The lid  32   f  may be used with or without the top tamper  35   b.    
         [0176]    A side view of a top tamper  35   b  is shown in  FIG. 47A  and a top view of the top tamper  35   b  is shown in  FIG. 47B . A side view of a top tamper  35   b ′ with a seal  60  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 47C  and a top view of the top tamper  35   b ′ with the seal  60  is shown in  FIG. 47D . In some instances, for example with a very fine ground coffee, an amount of coffee may escape past the top tamper  35   b.  In such instances, a user may prefer to use the top tamper  35   b ′ with the seal  60  to reduce or eliminate the escape of the coffee. 
         [0177]    A perspective view of a filter paper cup  40 ′ with a folding cup lid  40   d  is shown in  FIG. 48  (also see  FIG. 7C ). The cup lid  40   d  may be folded over the rim  40   c  to reduce or prevent coffee from escaping during tamping of subsequent processing. The lid  40   d  may also include a perforation  40   e  centered on the lid  40   d  allowing the nozzle  19  to enter and/or inject the hot flow of water into the tamped brewing material  41 , but in some embodiments, the lid  40   d  does not include the perforation  40   e.  The filter paper cup  40 ′ may be used in the coffee containers described herein, and may be used in a coffee machine having a cavity for receiving the filter paper cup  40 ′. While the cup  40 ′ is preferably made from filter paper, the cup may also be made from a reusable mesh. 
         [0178]    A side view of a twelfth brewing material holder  30 I with straight walls according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 49 , and a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder  30 I taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing an empty brewing material holder is shown in  FIG. 50 . The twelfth brewing material holder  301  includes a straight walled base  31   a  and the tam ping spring below the brewing material, and additionally uses the filter paper cup  40 ′ with the folding lid  40   d.    
         [0179]    A cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder  30 I taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid  32   a,  brewing material  41 , the filter paper cup  40 ′ with lid  40   d,  above the brewing material holder base  31   a  is shown in  FIG. 51A , a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder  30 I taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid  32   a,  above the brewing material  41 , and the filter paper cup  40 ′ resting in the brewing material holder base  31   a  is shown in  FIG. 51B , a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder  30 I taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid  32   a,  above the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40 ′ resting in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with the filter paper cover  40   d  folded over the brewing material  41  in the filter paper cup  40 ′ is shown in  FIG. 51C , and a cross-sectional view of the twelfth brewing material holder  30 I taken along line  50 - 50  of  FIG. 49  showing the lid  32   a  attached to the base  31   a  with the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40 ′ residing in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with the brewing material  41  tamped is shown in  FIG. 51D . In embodiments with the brewing material  41  partially exposed above the base  31   a,  some brewing material  41  may escape during tamping. Using the filter paper cup  40 ′ having the fold over paper lid  40   d  reduces or eliminates such escape of brewing material  41 . 
         [0180]    A side view of a thirteenth brewing material holder  30   m  with a releaseable tamping latch  64  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 52  and a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder  30   m  taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing an empty brewing material holder  30   m  is shown in  FIG. 53 . The latch  64  is held in a latched position by a spring loaded lever  62  on the exterior of the base  31   a . 
         [0181]    A cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder  30   m  taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid  32   a,  brewing material  41 , the filter paper cup  40 , above the base  31   a,  with the tamping latch  64  retaining the bottom tamper  34 , is shown in  FIG. 54A , a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder  30   m  taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid  32   a  above the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40  resting in the brewing material holder base  31   a,  with the tamping latch  64  retaining the bottom tamper  34  is shown in  FIG. 54B , a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth brewing material holder  30   m  taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid  32   a  attached to the base  31   a  above the brewing material  41 , and the filter paper cup  40  resting in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with the tamping latch  64  retaining the bottom tamper  34  is shown in  FIG. 54C , and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   m  taken along line  53 - 53  of  FIG. 52  showing the lid  32   a  attached to the base  31   a  with the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40  residing in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with tamping latch  64  released and the brewing material  41  tamped, is shown in  FIG. 54D . The lever  62  thus holds the latch  64  until the lever  62  is pushed to release the latch  62  to release the bottom tamper  34  to tamp the brewing material  41 . 
         [0182]    A side view of a fourteenth brewing material holder  30   n  with a releaseable tamping latch  64  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 55  and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing an empty brewing material holder  30   n  is shown in  FIG. 56 . The lever  62  holds the latch  64  until the arm  66  attached to the lid  32   g  pushes the lever  62  to release the latch  64 . 
         [0183]    A cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   n  taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid  32   g,  brewing material  41 , and the filter paper cup  40 , above the brewing material holder base  31   a,  with the tamping latch  64  retaining the bottom tamper  34  is shown in  FIG. 57A , a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   n  taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid  32   g  above the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40  resting in the brewing material holder base  31   a,  with the tamping latch  64  retaining the bottom tamper  34  is shown in  FIG. 57B , a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   n  taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid  32   g,  above the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40  resting in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with the tamping latch  64  released but just prior to tam ping (the bottom tamper has been released but has not moved upward against the brewing material  41 ) is shown in  FIG. 57C , and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   n  taken along line  56 - 56  of  FIG. 55  showing the lid  32   g  attached to the base with the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  40  residing in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with tamping latch  64  released and the brewing material  41  tamped is shown in  FIG. 57D . The lever  62  thus holds the latch  64  until the lever  62  is pushed by the arm  66  to release the latch  62  to release the bottom tamper  34  to tamp the brewing material  41 . 
         [0184]    A side view of a fourteenth brewing material holder  30   o  with a releaseable tamping lock according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 58  and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   o  taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing an empty brewing material holder is shown in  FIG. 59 . The brewing material holder  30   o  includes a tamping lock  70  which engages a second bottom tamper  34 ′ to hold the second bottom tamper in a down position for filling the brewing material holder with coffee and releases the bottom tamper  34 ′ to be pushed upwards by the tamping spring  36  to tamp the coffee after the holder lid  32   b  is attached to the base  31   a . 
         [0185]    A cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder  30   o  taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing a lid  32   b,  brewing material  41 , a filter paper cup  40 , above the brewing material holder base  31 , with the tamping lock  70  retaining the bottom tamper  34 ′ is shown in FIG.  FIG. 60A , cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base, with the tamping latch retaining the bottom tamper  34 ′ is shown in FIG.  FIG. 60B , a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing the lid, above the coffee and the filter paper cup resting in the brewing material holder base prior to tamping is shown in  FIG. 60A , and a cross-sectional view of the fourteenth brewing material holder taken along line  59 - 59  of  FIG. 58  showing the lid  32   b  attached to the base  31   a  with the brewing material  41  and the filter paper cup  41  residing in the brewing material holder base  31   a  with tamping lock released and the coffee tamped is shown in  FIG. 60D . 
         [0186]    A top view of a tamping lock  70  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 61  and a bottom view of a second bottom tamper  34 ′ which cooperates with the tamping lock  70  according to the present invention is shown ion  FIG. 62 . The tamping lock  70  includes teeth  72  which are inserted between and turned to engage lips  74  on the bottom of the bottom tamper  34 ′ to hold the bottom tamper in the down position for filling the brewing material holder  30   o  with brewing material  41 . After the brewing material holder  30   o  is filled with brewing material and the holder lid  32   b  attached, the tam ping lock is twisted to release the bottom tamper  32   b  to tamp the brewing material. 
         [0187]    A side view of a filter cup  80  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 63A  and a top view of the filter cup  80  is shown in  FIG. 63B . The filter cup  80  includes a ring  84  made of a material sufficiently strong to hold shape in the proposed use. Filter material  82  is attached to the ring  84 . The filter cup  80  is insertable into the brewing material holder and in many embodiments is a replacement for the filter paper cup  40 . 
         [0188]    A brewing material holder  30   p  with an embodiment of a lid  32   h  is shown in  FIG. 64 . The lid  32   h  includes a downward reaching cylindrical portion  90  insertable into a brewing material holder base  31   c.  The cylindrical portion  90  may include an O-ring  92  for sealing the lid  32   h  to the brewing material holder base  31   c.    
         [0189]    While the present invention is described above as placing brewing material in a brewing material holder, the invention may also be practiced by placing prepackaged coffee, for example coffee pods, into the brewing material holder. Further, while the brewing material 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. 
         [0190]    Further, many embodiments are described as including a coffee chamber comprising a filter paper cup. In many cases, a filter cup made of nylon mesh or metal mesh is equally suitable, and any brewing material holder or combination of coffee maker and brewing material holder including a filter chamber which holds coffee and allows the coffee to be tamped as described above is intended to come within the scope of the present invention regardless of the specific filter material. 
         [0191]    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.