Patent Publication Number: US-2006003075-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for preparing a beverage

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/585,451, filed on Jul. 2, 2004. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD  
      This teachings relate a beverage apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus having a packaged beverage ingredient and/or water supply.  
     INTRODUCTION  
      A beverage assembly or package can include a prepackaged set of ingredients or loose ingredients (coffee, tea, soluble product etc.) that are placed in a portions of a beverage apparatus. A maker or beverage apparatus can add water to the beverage assembly in a chamber that is designed to heat the water and cause the heated water to move relative to the beverage ingredients. The process of preparing a beverage can include: 1. opening a beverage chamber, 2. inserting a beverage ingredient, which may be a prepackaged mix or measuring the ingredients if not prepackaged, 3. adding a measured amount of water, 4. closing the beverage chamber, 5. placing a container to catch the beverage, and 6. operating the beverage apparatus.  
      To accomplish this or other processes to make a beverage, many different designs and operations of beverage apparatuses have been proposed. Many designs require both the placement of a beverage ingredient, such as coffee grounds, tea, a soluble product, or the like in the beverage apparatus and positioning a solvent in the beverage apparatus. This may require additional work and possible contamination. In addition, various steps, such as measuring the solvent, such as water, or the beverage ingredients may be faulty to various reasons.  
      Both the beverage ingredients and the solvent, such as water, can influence the quality and consistency of a produced beverage. Tap water is usually used for consumer beverage making. Tap water flavor varies depending on the treatment of the water and the region. Also the beverage ingredient generally is dependant upon a ratio to the solvent. Using the exact volume of water to a constant measurement of beverage ingredients is the only way to assure a consistent product and, yet, it is still vulnerable to the quality of the water and beverage ingredient.  
      Beverage ingredients, such as ground coffee is typically sold by weight in re-closeable cans and bags. The can or bag of coffee is typically vacuum-sealed and after opening oxygen begins to affect the quality of the coffee grounds. The freshest cup of coffee produced is after the coffee container is first opened and the quality can deteriorate thereafter.  
     SUMMARY  
      A method and apparatus for forming a produced beverage or beverage in an efficient and selected manner. A beverage ingredient may be provided in a beverage package that is prepackaged, such as premeasured and contained, or in another selected manner. The beverage package generally allows for an efficient and quick production of a beverage at a selected time. The beverage package generally allows for the introduction of a solvent, such as water, at a selected position of the beverage package and allows the solvent to extract or mix with a beverage ingredient as the solvent passes through the beverage package to a second position relative to the beverage package. The beverage package may be provided in any appropriate apparatus for producing a selected beverage.  
      According to various embodiments, a beverage package may include a first dimension or area, such as internal area, and a second area or dimension, such as an external area or dimension. The internal area may allow for the introduction of a solvent relative to the beverage package. The external area may allow for the passing of a beverage solvent relative to the beverage package, or vice versa. The beverage solvent may pass through the package in a selected manner such as it is able to dissolve or extract a selected portion of the ingredient from the beverage package.  
      According to various embodiments, a beverage package may include a substantially toroidal shape defining an internal void. A beverage solvent may be introduced relative to the internal void of the beverage package and forced to pass through the beverage package to an external portion of the beverage package opposite the internal void, or vice versa. The beverage solvent is operable to extract a selected portion of the beverage ingredient to form a produced beverage.  
      According to various embodiments, the produced beverage may include an extracted ingredient or a dissolved ingredient. According to various embodiments, any appropriate ingredient may be placed in a beverage package for forming a produced beverage.  
      According to various embodiments, beverage ingredients and a beverage solvent, such as water, are pre-measured and contained in a cartridge. The beverage solvent and beverage ingredients may be sealed in separate compartments of the cartridge. According to various embodiments, both the solvent and the ingredients may be self contained in a single unit prior to forming a beverage.  
      According to various embodiments a piercing element is positioned to pierce the beverage package or beverage apparatus compartment to permit the passage or flow of a solvent from a portion of the beverage apparatus to a beverage making chamber.  
      According to various embodiments a beverage package can include a commercially available bottled water and a cap portion, which may house beverage ingredients. According to various embodiments a separate water cartridge and separate beverage ingredients cartridge can be utilized to permit a user to combine any beverage ingredient with any water cartridge or to heat water only.  
      Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the description and various examples, while indicating the various embodiments of the teachings, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage ingredient package according to various embodiments;  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a beverage ingredients package according to various embodiments;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of beverage apparatus according to various embodiments;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the beverage apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container according to various embodiments;  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container according to various embodiments;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container according to various embodiments; and  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an appliance to assist in forming a beverage according to various embodiments.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS  
      The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the teachings, applications, or uses.  
      With reference to the figures, like reference numerals are used to reference like portions.  
      With reference to  FIG. 1 , a beverage ingredient package (BIP)  10  is illustrated. The BIP  10  may be formed in any appropriate shape or size. The BIP  10  may generally include a generally toroid shape including an outer wall  12  defining an outer diameter. In addition, the BIP  10  may include an internal wall  14  defining an internal diameter. Although the BIP  10  may be illustrated substantially as a toroid or cylindrical device, it will be understood that the BIP  10  may be formed in any appropriate manner. The BIP  10  may be formed in any appropriate shape, size, geometry, or the like. Generally, the BIP  10  includes an internal void  16  defined by the internal wall  14  which allows for introduction of a selected component relative to the BIP  10 . The void  16  may not be present in various embodiments, and the introduction of a component may be altered accordingly.  
      With continuing reference to  FIG. 1  and additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the BIP  10  may be formed in any appropriate manner of any selected material. For example, the BIP  10  may be formed of a layer or multiple layers of a material that are formed together at a seal. The seal may include an external seal point  20  and an internal seal point  22 . The seal points  20 ,  22  may be substantially concentric and be a portion of the external wall  12  and the internal wall  14 . Therefore, the BIP  10  may be formed of a top or first layer  24  and a bottom or second layer  26  that are sealed together at the seal points  20 ,  22 . Nevertheless, it will be understood that the BIP  10  may be formed of a substantially single piece of material that is sealed or connected as selected area. For example, a large piece of material may be folded over itself and sealed at a selected area such that only a partial seal is necessary rather than a complete seal around the walls  12 ,  14 .  
      The material for the layers  24 ,  26  may be any appropriate material. According to various embodiments, a solvent may be positioned relative to the BIP  10 , therefore, the material for the layers  24 ,  26  may be selected to be generally porous to the solvent. The layers  24 ,  26 , therefore, may include papers, polymers, natural or synthetic materials, or any appropriate material. For example, weldable paper, such as that sold by CASCADEC a Glaffelter company, may be used as the layers  24 ,  26  to form the BIP  10 . Regardless of the material selected to form the layers  24 ,  26 , the layers  24 ,  26  may be positioned such that they may be sealed or welded at the seal points  20 ,  22 .  
      The BIP  10  may be formed in any appropriate manner. According to various embodiments, as discussed above, the BIP  10  may include a top portion or member  24  and a bottom portion member  26  that are substantially welded or adhered together at a seam  20 ,  22 . The welding may be formed by a heat weldable paper or may include a bonding ingredient that is provided between the two portions  24 ,  26 . In addition, as discussed above, the BIP  10  may include a single member that is folded over itself or folded around the beverage ingredient  30  and sealed in appropriate regions to form a substantially sealed BIP  10 . In the BIP  10  the first member or portion  24  and the second portion  26  are generally porous to the selected solvent. Therefore, the solvent may enter the inner or toroidal void  16  and pass through the internal void  28  defined by the BIP  10  substantially in the direction of arrow A or any appropriate manner.  
      The BIP  10  may include an internal area or pocket  28 , which may also be referred to as a containment area, that is defined by the sealed or welded layers  24 ,  26 . The containment area  28  of the BIP  10  may be used to contain any selected beverage ingredient  30 , as discussed herein. Regardless, the beverage ingredient or material  30  may be positioned in the BIP  10  for a use of the BIP  10 . As discussed herein, the beverage ingredient  30  may be positioned in the BIP  10  such that a solvent may pass through the layers  24 ,  26  to interact with the beverage ingredient  30  to produce a produced beverage.  
      A BIP  10 ′, with reference to  FIG. 1A , according to various embodiments, may also be formed in various selected manners. For example, the BIP  10 ′ may be formed as a toroid including void areas  29 . That is the containment area  28  need not be uniform around the BIP  10 ′. This may be selected for various purposes, such as selected beverages and/or selected dilutions. As discussed herein, the void areas  29  in the BIP  10 ′ may allow a selected volume of the solvent to move passed the BIP  10 ′ without contacting the ingredient  30 . It will be understood that the voids  29  may be formed in any manner and need not be limited to depressions extending from the outside, but may also be depressions from the top and bottom or merely internal areas not including any of the beverage ingredient.  
      According to various embodiments, a solvent may be applied to a surface of the BIP  10  from the central void  16  in the direction of arrow A. The solvent, which may be a fluid such as water, may pass through the inner wall  14  through the inner compartment  28 , including the beverage ingredient  30 , and pass out the outer wall  12  generally in the direction of arrow A. Therefore, the solvent is operable to move from a first region, such as the internal void  16 , of the BIP  10  to a second region of the BIP  10 , such as out the exterior wall  12 .  
      It will be understood that the solvent or any appropriate material may be introduced relative to a BIP  10  and exit the BIP  10  in any appropriate manner. For example, a material, such as solvent, may also pass substantially axially through the BIP  10  generally in the direction of arrow B. The solvent may pass generally axially in the direction of arrow B through the BIP  10  for selected purposes. For example, the solvent may be positioned to cover a substantial area of the BIP  10  such that a selected dilution of the ingredient  30  in the BIP  10  is obtained.  
      In addition, the solvent may move generally in the opposite direction of arrow A. The solvent may enter through the outside wall  12  and be dispensed through the internal void  16 . Therefore, it will be understood that the solvent may be introduced and pass through the BIP  10  in any appropriate manner, according to various purposes. Nevertheless, the solvent may pass through the BIP  10  to allow for an extraction or forming a solution of the ingredient  30  that is positioned relative to the BIP  10 .  
      In addition, the BIP  10  may include any appropriate cross-section or area. For example, the BIP  10  may define the area  28  to include a first dimension D and a second dimension E. The two dimensions, D, E, may define an area such as a cross-sectional area of the portion of the BIP  10 . The dimensions D, E may be any appropriate dimensions and may include a single dimension, for example if the internal area  28  is substantially circular. Nevertheless, the various dimensions D, E may be varied to produce the BIP  10  to include a selected volume, a selected contact area between the solvent and the ingredient  30  in the interior area  28 , or any other appropriate reason. For example, increasing the dimension D, E may increase the surface area which the solvent is able to contact during a production of a beverage. Therefore, it will be understood that the dimensions D, E or any other appropriate dimensions may be selected based upon various aspects.  
      The solvent, such as water, can be passed through the BIP  10  in any appropriate manner. For example, a pressure differential may be created across the BIP  10  such that the solvent is urged to flow from a first position to a second position. For example, the solvent may be introduced into the internal void  16  at a pressure higher than a pressure near the outer wall  12 . Therefore, the water, because the layers  24 ,  26  are generally porous to the solvent, the solvent may flow from the internal void  16  out through the external wall  12 . Nevertheless, the pressure differential may also be provided between the outer wall  12  and the internal void  16  such that solvent may flow from the outer wall  12  toward the internal void  16 .  
      Also, the pressure differentials may be formed in any appropriate manner. For example, the solvent may be provided at a pressure higher than that in the BIP  10  to an area containing the BIP  10 . In addition, an area containing the BIP  10  may be formed to produce the pressure differentials. Alternatively, or in addition, the force of gravity may be used to urge the solvent through or relative to the BIP  10 . Thus, according to various embodiments, any appropriate method may be used to move the solvent relative to the BIP  10 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , according to various embodiments, the BIP  10  may be provided in a cavity or beverage apparatus  40 . The beverage apparatus  40  may include a structure  42  that may encase or enclose a selected portion of the BIP  10 . For example, the beverage apparatus  40  may include an upper or first member  44  and a lower or second member  46 . The two members  44 ,  46  may interlock or interact to substantially surround a majority of the BIP  10 . The beverage apparatus  40  may further include a first solvent port  48 . According to various embodiments, a plurality of second solvent ports  50  may be provided in a portion of the beverage apparatus  40 . The solvent ports  48 ,  50  may allow the solvent to move form a first position to a second position relative to the BIP  10  in the beverage apparatus. According to various embodiments, the solvent may be introduced at the first solvent port  48 , allowed to pass through the BIP  10 , and exit the second solvent ports  50 .  
      The beverage apparatus  40  may be used in any appropriate manner. For example, a solvent may be provided through the first solvent port  48  under a pressure greater than a pressure at the second solvent ports  50 . Therefore, the solvent may be urged through the BIP  10  disposed in the beverage apparatus  40 .  
      According to various embodiments, the second solvent ports  50  may be provided to allow an introduction of the solvent while the first solvent port  48  allows an exit of the solvent. The solvent may be provided to the outside wall  12 , first, and pass to the internal void  16 . Therefore, the solvent may be introduced through the second solvent ports  50  and passed through the BIP  10  and exit the first solvent port  48 .  
      According to various embodiments, the beverage apparatus  40  may be allowed to move in a selected manner. For example, the beverage apparatus  40  may be formed to substantially spin about an axis  60 . The axis  60  may define a generally central portion of the beverage apparatus  40 . In addition, an axle or coupling member  62  may be positioned or extend from the beverage apparatus  40 . The coupling member  62  may allow connection of a motor such that the beverage apparatus  40  may be spun or otherwise operated to move the beverage apparatus  40  in a selected manner.  
      According to various embodiments, a solvent may be passed through the first solvent port  48  and the beverage apparatus  40  may be spun to form a centrifugal force. The centrifugal force can urge the solvent introduced to the internal void  16  through the first port  48  from the internal void  16  through the BIP  10  and out the second solvent ports  50 . In this manner, a beverage may be produced without providing the solvent at a pressure differential relative to any portion of the beverage apparatus  40 . According to various embodiments, the pressure differential may be formed by movement of the beverage apparatus  40 . The beverage apparatus  40 , according to various embodiments, may be spun at various speeds or RPMs to achieve selected results, such as beverage formation time, strength, and other results. Various RPMs may be achieved by variable speed motors, differing sizes of the BIP  10 , and various other features.  
      As discussed above, the surface area accessible by the solvent may be substantially altered depending upon various applications. Therefore, the surface area of the BIP  10  that may be engaged by the solvent may be any appropriate percentage of the surface area of the BIP  10 . For example, the surface area, such as the surface area defined by the internal void  16 , or the internal wall  14 , may be about 20% to about 80% of the surface area of the BIP  10 . According to various embodiments, the greater the surface area the greater the speed of movement of the solvent from a solvent inlet area to a solvent outlet. Depending upon the ingredient  30 , or other material, in the void  28 , the flow of the solvent may be reduced or increased. Nevertheless, the flow of the solvent to or through the BIP  10  may be altered by changing the surface area which the solvent may enter the BIP  10 , the surface area that the solvent may exit the BIP  10 , the attributes of the material  30  placed in the BIP  10 , and other appropriate considerations. Therefore, the speed, efficiency and other factors may be altered when making a beverage with the BIP  10 .  
      For example, the extraction process with a selected beverage ingredient, such as coffee, may be selected depending upon the type of beverage desired. For example, a substantially fast extraction may be desired for a selected type of coffee beverage, such as espresso. Alternatively, a slower extraction time may be selected for various other types of coffee beverage products. In addition, various beverage ingredients may be selected to include a different extraction time. Further, if a soluble product is the beverage ingredient  30 , the extraction time may be selected to create a selected dilution or other appropriate function for the produced beverage.  
      In addition, it will be understood that the solvent may be any appropriate liquid. For example, water may be used as the solvent. Nevertheless, it will be understood that the solvent may be any appropriate component, such as an organic solvent, an alcohol, or any other appropriate solvent. It will be understood that the various solvents may be selected for various attributes and may depend upon the beverage ingredient  30 . Furthermore, it will be understood that the solvent may be introduced into the BIP  10  at any appropriate temperature. It may be selected to provide the solvent through the BIP  10  at a selected temperature to achieve a selected result. For example, it may be selected to produce a coffee beverage at an elevated or above ambient temperature while a tea may be selected at an ambient temperature. Therefore, any appropriate temperature may be provided for the solvent.  
      With reference to  FIG. 5 , a beverage container  70  may be formed to include and operate the beverage apparatus  40  that includes the BIP  10  in a selected manner. The beverage container  70  may include a first portion or solvent volume container (solvent container)  72  that is operable to hold the beverage solvent. It will be understood, however, that the solvent container  72  may be placed separately or removable from the beverage package  70 . Nevertheless, interconnected with or fixed to the solvent container  72 , may be a beverage forming portion or cap  74 . The cap  74  may be interconnected with the solvent container  72  in any appropriate manner. For example, an interconnection via threads, interference fit, adhesive, welding, or the like may be used to associate or interconnect the cap  74  with the solvent container  72 .  
      The beverage package  70  may be interconnected with any appropriate apparatus or appliance, such as the appliance  300  ( FIG. 8 ), to allow for operation of the beverage package  70 . Further, it will be understood that the beverage package  70  may be operated substantially independently of an external apparatus. Nevertheless, the beverage package  70  may be interconnected with a solvent heater  76  that is able to heat the solvent contained in the solvent container  72 .  
      The solvent heater  76  may be any appropriate heater that is operable to heat the solvent at a selected rate. For example, the solvent may be substantially completely emptied into a selected volume or heated with a solvent heater that is surrounding the solvent container  72  such to heat the entire or substantially the entire volume of the solvent at a selected time. Further, or alternatively, the solvent may be heated at a selected flow rate through the solvent heater  76 . Therefore, for example, it may be selected to heat the solvent at a selected rate, such as about one gallon per minute, for use in making a beverage. Regardless, the solvent heater  76  may be associated with the beverage package  70  in any appropriate manner such that the solvent contained in the solvent container  72  is heated to an appropriate temperature at an appropriate rate or time. Further, however, it may be understood that the solvent contained within the solvent container  72  need not be heated and may be transported from the solvent container  72  to a selected outlet.  
      When the solvent heater  76  may be used, however, the volume of solvent contained within the solvent container  72  may be passed through the solvent heater  76  to be heated at a selected rate. According to various embodiments, a valve member  78  may be operated to allow a volume of the solvent from the solvent container  72  to pass into a first channel or passage  80 . The solvent is operable to flow generally in the direction of arrow  82  into and through the solvent heater  76 . After the solvent reaches a selected temperature, the solvent may flow along a second passage  84  generally in the direction of arrow  86  to the first solvent port  48  in the beverage apparatus  40 .  
      As discussed above, the solvent may pass through or move relative to the beverage apparatus  40  using centrifugal force formed by spinning the beverage apparatus  40  in a selected manner, such as with an axle  88 . The axle  88  may be operated in any appropriate manner, such as with a selected motor or power providing device, such as one contained in the appliance  300 . It will be understood that the motor may be any appropriate motor and is not limited to any particular kind of motor to operate the beverage apparatus  40 . Nevertheless, as discussed above, the solvent may pass through the second passage  84  through the solvent port  48  and move generally in the direction of arrow A and out through the second solvent port  50 .  
      As discussed above, the solvent that may mix with the ingredient  30  positioned within the void  28  of the BIP  10 . The solvent may pass through the second solvent port  50  to a collection area or volume  90 . Also, the solvent may flow due to any appropriate urging, such as gravity, pressure differences, mechanical forces, or the like. The collection volume  90  may be formed as a portion of the cap  74  or may be any appropriate container, such as removable or transportable cup for use by a user. Nevertheless, the solvent is operable to be removed from the beverage apparatus  40  for use by a user.  
      Therefore, the beverage package  70  may be used to form a beverage by providing the beverage apparatus  40  to be operated with the axle or mechanism  88 . The axle  88  may rotate the beverage apparatus  40  to form a centrifugal force to move a solvent generally in the direction of arrow A through the second solvent port  50  for collection in a selected container. The solvent may either be heated with the solvent heater  76  or not heated according to selected or various embodiments. In addition, the solvent heater  76  may be a separate solvent heater mechanism or may be incorporated in the solvent volume container  72 . For example, the solvent heater  76  may be a separate heatable container or area. Alternatively, or in addition to a separate heater, the solvent heater  76  may include resistive portions positioned relative or adjacent to the solvent container  72  to heat the volume of solvent in the solvent container  72  at an appropriate time.  
      With reference to  FIG. 6 , where like reference numerals reference like portions, a beverage package  100  according to various embodiments is illustrated. As discussed above, a solvent container  72  may be associated with the beverage package  100  or may be separate therefrom. Nevertheless, the beverage package  100  may include a beverage ingredient container or cap  102  that may be associated with the solvent container  72  in any appropriate manner, such as those discussed above.  
      The solvent may move from the solvent container  72  through a first passage  104 , along or generally in the direction of arrow  106 , similar to the first passage described above. The solvent moving through the first passage  104  may be moved to or moved relative to the solvent heater  76 . As discussed above, the solvent heater  76  may be any appropriate solvent heater such as one that is operable to heat the solvent at a selected rate or heat the solvent at a selected time. Regardless, the solvent is operable to move through the first passage  104  and through a second passage  108  generally in a direction of arrow  110  to be moved towards the cap or beverage ingredient container area  102 .  
      Positioned within the cap  102  is a beverage ingredient package (BIP)  114 . The BIP  114  may be any appropriate package such as pod filter package. The pod filter package may include an external filter or permeable portion  116  that is operable to allow the solvent to pass through the outer filter portion  116  while maintaining an ingredient within the BIP  114 .  
      It will be understood that the beverage ingredient pod  114  may be formed similar to the BIP  10  as discussed above, yet in a different shape, size, geometry, configuration, or the like. For example, the BIP  114  may be substantially cylindrical such that it does not include an open area or a toroid shape. It will be understood that the BIP  114 , however, may be formed in any appropriate manner.  
      The BIP  114  contained within the cap  102 , however, may be interconnected with a mechanism, such as a solvent transport system  118 . The BIP  114  may be held relative to the solvent transport system  118  with any appropriate means. For example a generally porous cap may be placed over or interconnecting the BIP  114  with the solvent transport system  118 . Also the BIP  114  may otherwise be fixed to the beverage transport system  118 .  
      The solvent transport system  118  may include substantially hollow or passage portions or manifolds  120 ,  122 . The manifolds  120 ,  122  may interconnect with the second passage  108  through a main passage  124  such that the solvent may move from the solvent container  72  to the BIP  114  and a second BIP  126 , which also may be appropriately held relative to the solvent transport system  118 . It will be understood that any appropriate number of the BIPs  114 ,  126  may be included and two are illustrated for simplicity and efficiency of the present discussion. Nevertheless, only one, two or more BIPs, or any appropriate number of BIPs may be included. For example, two BIPs  114 ,  126  may be formed at a substantially similar weight or density such that the mass of each offsets the other to allow for an efficient and easy rotation of the pods  114 ,  126  within the cap  102 .  
      As discussed above, the mechanism  88  may be provided to operate a portion of the cap  102  such as spinning or forming a centrifugal force within the solvent transport apparatus  118 . Therefore, the solvent may pass from the second passage  108  generally in the direction of arrow  110  and further in the direction of arrow  119  through the two manifolds  120 ,  122  and through the BIPs  114 ,  126 . The centrifugal force formed by the interaction of the mechanism  88  with the solvent transport mechanism  118  may force or urge the solvent to pass through the BIPs  114 ,  126 . As the solvent passes through the BIPs it is able to dissolve, extract, or the like any appropriate ingredient included within the beverage ingredient packages  114 ,  126 . Nevertheless, as discussed above, any force may be used to urge a movement of the solvent, such as gravity, a pressure differential, etc.  
      The BIPs  114 ,  126 , similar to the BIP  10 , may include any appropriate beverage ingredient, such as coffee, tea, soluble products, and the like. Therefore, the solvent may pass through the BIP  114 ,  126  to form a formed beverage. The formed beverage may then be collected in a collection volume or area  130  defined by a portion of the cap  102  or in a container or cup operable to be used by a user.  
      With reference to  FIG. 7 a  beverage container  140 , according to various embodiments, is illustrated. The beverage container  140  may include the solvent container  72 , or a solvent supply may be provided separate from the beverage container  140 . The beverage container  140  may also include a cap or beverage forming/ingredient portion  142 . A first passage  144  may direct the flow of the solvent in a first direction and a second passage direction the flow of the solvent in a second direction, such as towards a forming area  148 . As discussed above a valve mechanism  78  may be provided to control a flow of solvent from the solvent container  72  to the forming area  148 .  
      The valve mechanism  78  may generally be held within a portion defined by the solvent container  72 . As discussed above, the solvent container  72  need not be fixed to the cap  74 , thus various portions of the beverage container may be combined in the solvent container  72  alone. Thus the valve mechanism  78 , or any appropriate mechanism to selectively gain access to the solvent, may be provided with the solvent container  72 . It will be further understood, as discussed herein, that the solvent container need not be provided and a different source of solvent may be provided.  
      In the forming area a mixing tray or area  150  may be provided. The tray  150  may be formed in any appropriate manner to contain or orient a beverage ingredient and the solvent. In conjunction with the tray  150  a mixing apparatus  152  may also be provided. The mixing apparatus  152  may include a first arm  152   a  and a second arm  152   b . The arms  152   a ,  152   b , may include portions that are shaped and/or sized substantially complimentary to the tray  150 . Thus the arms  152   a ,  152   b  may move relative to the tray  150  to agitate or mix the beverage ingredient with the solvent provided to the forming area  148 .  
      Positioned near the tray  150  is a beverage ingredient area or package (BIP)  153 . A beverage ingredient may be positioned in the BIP  153  and may any appropriate ingredient. For example a substantially soluble beverage ingredient may be positioned in the BIP  153 . The BIP  153  may be operated, as described herein, to provide the beverage ingredient to the tray  150  for a brief and efficient mixing of a solvent or fluid with the solvent for forming the final beverage.  
      Also an auger or metering mechanism  155  may be provided in or near the BIP  153 . The metering mechanism  155  may operate to move a selected volume or mass of the beverage ingredient from the BIP  153  to the tray  150 . The metering mechanism may move the beverage ingredient in the direction of arrow  155   a  towards a surface  153   a  of the BIP  153 . The metering mechanism  155  may be any appropriate mechanism, such as a screw, conveyor, lift, etc.  
      As discussed above the solvent may move into the forming area  148  in any appropriate manner, such as with a pressure differential, gravity, etc. Regardless, the solvent may flow through the second passage  146  to a solvent port or forming area inlet  154 . The solvent may flow or move generally in the direction of arrow  154   a . As the solvent moves in the direction of arrow  154   a  the solvent is urged into or towards the tray  150 . Thus the solvent may mix with the beverage ingredient. The mixing and the mixing rate may be augmented with the mixer  152 .  
      The mechanism  88  may power both the metering mechanism  155  and the mixer  152 . The metering mechanism  155 , at a selected time and according to various embodiments, may move a selected amount at a selected rate of the beverage ingredient to the tray  150 . Once the ingredient is moved out of the BIP  153  it may begin mixing with the solvent from the solvent inlet  154 . The mixer  152  may also assist in mixing the beverage ingredient with the solvent as the two move over the surface  153   a  and towards the tray  150 .  
      Once a selected amount of mixing occurs the solvent, including the suspended or dissolved beverage ingredient, may be urged out of the tray into a collection area  156 . The solvent may be urged out of the tray  150  in any appropriate manner. For example, the mixer  152  may be operated to move the solvent out of the tray  150 . Once in the collection area the formed beverage may exit a spout or port  158 .  
      According to various embodiments the beverage container  140  may be moved to urge the solvent out of the tray  150 . For example, the beverage container may be tilted. Alternatively, or in addition to tilting, the mixer  152  may be increased in velocity to urge the solvent form the tray  150 . A first velocity may be used to mix the solvent with the beverage ingredient while a second speed may be used to urge the solvent from the tray  150 .  
      The mixer may be powered or moved with the axle  88  or any appropriate mechanism. For example the mixer  152  may be associated with the metering mechanism  155  that interconnects with the axle  88  that may move the mixer  152 . Therefore, it will be understood that the mixer  152  may be operated in any appropriate manner.  
      It will be understood that any appropriate configuration may be provided to allow for a beverage to be formed using a centrifugal or other appropriate force. The beverage apparatus  40  may be used or any other appropriate beverage apparatuses, such as the solvent transport system  118  and the BIPs  114 ,  126  to form a beverage by moving a solvent through a BIP  110 ,  114 ,  126 . Also the tray  150  and mixer  152  may be used to assist in forming a beverage. Also, as discussed above, any appropriate number of beverage containers  70 ,  100 ,  140  may be used in conjunction with BIPs, according to various embodiments.  
      Also, according to various embodiments a separate or distinct BIP may not be necessary. For example a porous member that may act as a filter may be provided relative to a solvent moving system. A beverage ingredient may be contained in a substantially impermeable container including only a portion defined by a porous member. A solvent may be urged towards the porous portion, such as by a centrifugal force, to pass through a beverage ingredient. Therefore, a BIP, will be understood, to not be necessary to form a beverage, according to various embodiments.  
      It will be further understood, that the beverage container may be provided as a plurality of beverage container based upon a selected augment ingredient. For example, a varying insensitive of sweetness may be provided such that a plurality of beverages containers may be marked and provided at a varying level of sweetness.  
      Further, it will be understood that various other components may be provided relative to the beverage ingredient package. For example, various creamer portions, sweetener portions and the like may be positioned relative to the beverage ingredient pod or beverage ingredient area such that as the solvent passes through or is urged toward the beverage ingredient, the solvent may also dissolve or extract a selected ingredient, such as a sweetener or a creamer. The sweetener or creamer pod may be positioned in sequence with the beverage ingredient pod to allow for an extraction of both the beverage ingredient and the augmented ingredient. Thus, the beverage container, according to various embodiments, may be used to extract or dissolve both a beverage and augment the beverage with a selected ingredient.  
      Further, various ingredients, such as fortifiers, including vitamins, minerals, and other health-related ingredients, may be provided in conjunction with the beverage. The beverage container may be provided with a separate container or pod portion including a selected fortifying ingredient, such as a selected vitamin or mineral. Therefore, as the solvent dissolves or extracts a selected ingredient for a beverage, the fortifying ingredient may also be dissolved or extracted into the formed beverage. Therefore, the beverage container may be provided with the solvent volume, a beverage ingredient, and a beverage augment ingredient, such as a sweetener, creamery, fortifier (i.e., vitamins and/or minerals).  
      Therefore, for example, with reference to the beverage container  70 , a soluble portion, such as a solvent soluble caplet or capsule, may be positioned in the beverage apparatus  40 . As the solvent passes through the solvent port  48 , the solvent may engage the fortifying caplet or augment ingredient to carry at least a portion of the augment ingredient through the BIP  10  and into the formed beverage. Alternatively, the augment ingredient may be positioned into the collection area  90  of the cap  74  such that after the solvent passes through the BIP  10 , the partially formed beverage may mix with the augment ingredient to form the formed beverage. According to various embodiments, the augment ingredient may also be added loose with the solvent or to pass through the first port  48 . Thus, the augment ingredient may be provided in any appropriate manner. Regardless of a position of the augment ingredient, it will be understood that the augment ingredient may be positioned relative to the beverage container  70 , according to various embodiments, such that as a beverage is being formed, the augment ingredient may be added to the beverage.  
      Further, the beverage package  70  may be provided as a plurality of beverage packages each including a varied or plurality of augment ingredients. For example, a first of the beverage packages  70  may be provided as plurality of beverage packages including a varying intensity of sweetness. Thus, a user may be allowed to select a selected beverage container according to a sweetness level to provide a selected sweetness of a final beverage product. Similarly, the augment ingredient may be the fortifying ingredient such that the beverage container  70  may be selected for the inclusion or deletion of the fortifying ingredient. Thus, the beverage package  70  may be provided to allow for a user selection of a final beverage including a selected augment ingredient.  
      The augment ingredient may further be provided at any appropriate time. For example, in a coffee beverage ingredient, coffee beans or cherries are often first roasted before being ground to form coffee grounds. After the cherries are roasted, they include or may have formed therein a selected porosity in which a selected augment ingredient may be provided. Therefore, a fortifying ingredient, such as a selected vitamin or mineral, may be mixed with the roasted coffee beans to form a fortified coffee bean which may then be ground to include the fortifying ingredient. The fortifying or augment ingredient may be provided in any appropriate manner, such as a liquid, to the roasted bean. Various fortifying ingredients may include selected minerals, such as calcium or zinc, or various vitamins such as Vitamin A or B. Regardless, the fortifying ingredient may be added to the coffee beans after they are roasted such that the fortifying ingredient is at least partially intermingled with the coffee beans or included in the porosity formed in the coffee beans. In this manner the fortifying ingredient is provided in the beverage ingredient which may be positioned in the BIP  10 .  
      It will be understood that an augment ingredient, such as a flavoring or a fortifying ingredient, may be included in the beverage container  70 , according to various embodiments, or any appropriate beverage container with any appropriate beverage ingredient. The inclusion of an augment ingredient is not limited to any particular beverage ingredient and may be provided in any appropriate beverage ingredient or any appropriate beverage container to form a final beverage product.  
      Further, it will be understood that the augment ingredient may be added to the beverage container  70 , according to various embodiments, at any appropriate time. Therefore, the beverage container  70  may be formed to include one or a plurality of the augment ingredients with a single or plurality of beverage ingredients. As discussed above, the beverage container  70 , according to various embodiments, may include one or a plurality of augment ingredients that vary between a selected plurality of beverage containers. Further, it will be understood that the augment ingredient may be provided in any appropriate form such as substantially fluid form, a dry form, or any appropriate form.  
      The beverage package  10 , according to various embodiments, may be formed with the beverage container  70 , according to various embodiments, to be positioned in a selected apparatus or appliance  300 , such as that exemplary illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The beverage appliance  300  may include any appropriate portion to receive or interact with the beverage container  70 . For example, the beverage appliance  300  may include a containment region  302  to substantially surround or receive the beverage container  70 . Regardless, it will be understood that the appliance  300  may also include a small recess, clip, or other appropriate portion to allow for a selected interaction between the beverage container  70  and the appliance  300 . Therefore, the appliance  300  will be understood to substantially receive and surround the beverage package  70  or efficiently interact with the beverage package  70  for formation of a beverage product.  
      Further, the appliance  300  may provide or interact with the mechanism  88  to engage the beverage apparatus  40  to form the centrifugal force. The appliance  300  may also provide or include the solvent heater  76  such that the appliance  300  may heat the solvent to a selected temperature. Therefore, the appliance  300  may include a motor operable to move the mechanism  88  to form the centrifugal force and an electrical source to form or activate the solvent heater  76 . Further, the motor may be, but is not limited to, electrically powered to form the centrifugal force. It will be understood that any appropriate power source may be used, such as battery, pneumatic, steam, etc. It will be understood that the design of the appliance  300  is not limited and may be any appropriate design to interact with the beverage package according to various embodiments, as discussed above. Also, the appliance  300  may include portions to allow a user to efficiently operate the appliance  300  to interact with the beverage container  70 , according to various embodiments, to form a beverage.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the appliance  300  may also include a portion to manipulate the valve mechanism  78 . The appliance  300  may include a member operable to pierce the cap  74  to engage the valve mechanism  78 . Also the appliance may only move relative to the valve member  78  to engage the valve mechanism  78 .  
      The valve mechanism  78  may be moved such that a first port  202  may allow for a selected volume of the solvent contained in the solvent container  72  to pass to the solvent heater  76  or to the solvent inlet  48 . A second port  204  may be provided for any appropriate purpose, such as venting the container  72  to allow for a pressure differential or relief of pressure in the container  72  to allow the solvent to continue to drain from the solvent container  72 . Regardless, the valve mechanism  78  may be operated by the appliance  300 , or any appropriate mechanism, to allow for removal of the solvent from the solvent container  72  to form the beverage.  
      Further, the appliance  300 , or any appropriate mechanism, may provide for a selected venting of the solvent container  72  to allow for a selected release or flow of the solvent from the solvent container  72 . For example, a substantially positive pressure venting may be formed to allow for effective and/or efficient removal of the solvent from the solvent container  72 . For example, as the solvent is exiting the solvent container  72 , the solvent container  72  may be filled with a fluid or material at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure or ambient pressure such that the solvent continues to drain from the solvent container  72  at its selected rate. Any appropriate mechanism may be provided, such as a pump provided in the appliance  300 , to provide a positive or higher pressure to the solvent container  72 , than the ambient pressure.  
      Further, a natural aspiration of the solvent container  72  may be provided. For example, as the valve mechanism  78  is moved, the second port  204  may communicate with an ambient atmosphere. This communication may allow the solvent container  72  to be aspirated in a selected manner so that the solvent contained in a solvent container  70  may flow from the solvent container  72  at a selected rate. Further, the solvent container  72  may be otherwise opened or pierced in a selected area to provide for a natural or ambient aspiration of the solvent container  72  when removing the solvent from the solvent container  72 .  
      Further, the solvent container  72  may include a collapsible portion such that the solvent volume removed is also effectively removed from the container  72 . The container  72  may be completely collapsible or may include an inner lining that is collapsible or flexible. Therefore, as the solvent is removed from the solvent container  72 , the solvent container  72  or an internal liner substantially surrounding the solvent, may collapse to reduce a volume of the solvent container  72 . Therefore, the solvent may be remove from the solvent container  72  in a selected manner. This may reduce or eliminate a vacuum that may otherwise be created in the solvent container  72  as the solvent is removed therefrom.  
      Regardless, it will be understood that the solvent may be assisted in being removed from the solvent container  72  in any appropriate manner. As discussed above, a positive pressure may be provided, and/or a natural aspiration may be provided, or a void or volume reduction may be provided in the beverage container  72 . Further, a plurality of mechanisms may be provided to vent or assist in removing the solvent from the solvent container  72 . Further, the appliance  300  may provide the mechanism to assist in removing the solvent. Alternatively, the solvent container may include the mechanism to assist in removing the solvent from the solvent container  72  and/or venting the solvent container  72 . Regardless, it will be understood that the solvent may be removed from the solvent container  72  in a selected manner to assist in moving the solvent to the cap  74  or any appropriate portion to form the beverage. Also, it will be understood that various venting mechanisms may be provided to in any appropriate beverage container.  
      Further, as discussed above, it will be understood that the beverage container  70  may be provided to substantially include the cap portion  74 . Therefore, rather than the beverage container  70  including both a solvent container  72  and a cap  74 , the beverage container  70  may include simply or substantially only the cap  74 . For example, the cap  74  may be associated with the appliance  300  and the appliance  300  may include a mechanism to provide a selected volume of a solvent to the cap portion  74  to form a selected beverage. Thus, the beverage container  70  need not include a selected volume of a solvent and may include substantially only a beverage ingredient and/or the beverage apparatus  40 , or any beverage apparatus according to various embodiments, to assist in forming a beverage.  
      The beverage container  40 ,  70 ,  100 , and  140  according to various embodiments may provide a generally self-contained beverage forming mechanism. The solvent and beverage ingredient may be provided as a generally single mechanism, or individually. Regardless, the beverage container may provide that the finished beverage may exit directly from the beverage container into a user-container  304 . Thus, the finished beverage may be provided in an efficient manner with less possibility for contamination and may include a greater freshness and cleaner taste for a user.  
      Further, the beverage apparatus or the BIP, according to various embodiments, may be operated to achieve selected results. For example the rate of rotation may be increased to decrease the time to form a beverage. Also the rate of rotation may be altered to achieve a selected brew or beverage formation time depending upon the beverage ingredient. Also, other forces may be altered, such as the pressure differential across the BIP and the like. Thus, it will be understood, that various characteristics of operation or a beverage may be selected depending upon a force provided relative to the BIP.  
      It will be understood that various items may be used as beverage ingredients, as discussed herein, and various other similar or difference items may be used as a solvent, as discussed herein. Thus, for example and not limiting, a beverage ingredient may include coffee, coffee grounds, tea leaves, dehydrated coffee, and others. Also a solvent, for example and limited to, may include water, alcohol, corn syrup, and others.  
      The description of the teachings is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the teachings are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.