Patent Publication Number: US-2021177189-A1

Title: Single serving pod usable in a beverage forming system and method of mixing pod contents with liquid to dispense as a beverage

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The example embodiments in general are directed to a single serving pod usable in a beverage forming system and to a method of mixing contents within the pod with pressurized liquid to dispense as a mixed beverage directly from the pod. 
     Related Art 
     Cartridge-based beverage forming systems that use a liquid, such as water, to form a beverage are well known, examples including various beverage machines (such as those known under the KEURIG® or NESPRESSO® brands) which include a cartridge holder that is adapted to receive a single-use beverage cartridge or pod containing beverage material (i.e., coffee grounds, powdered drink mix) to make the beverage. Typically, this is done by puncturing the cartridge at the top and bottom so as to introduce liquid into the cartridge to mix with the beverage material contents inside, the mixed beverage thus formed inside and exiting the cartridge or “pod” into a cup. Liquid provided to the cartridge may or may not be heated in a tank prior to delivery to the cartridge. 
     Protein powders contain protein and fat molecules that naturally attract and easily absorb a greater volume of fluid prior to their full-saturation point. These hydrophilic particles act differently in water than other powdered substances (such as coffee grounds and powdered sugar drinks such as hot cocoa mix). Even when anti-clumping additives and super disintegrates like lecithin, silicon dioxide, or microcrystalline cellulose are used, it can be difficult to produce a smooth consistency that is acceptable to the consumer. This is especially true when mixing a protein drink from a protein powder concentrate without using any form of mechanical agitation to remove or physically break-up the clumps that often form when mixing a protein drink. 
     These clumps that may form when mixing hydrophilic powders do not affect the efficacy or quality of the protein powder, but may deter consumers from enjoying the protein-based beverages enough that they will not regularly use the product. Furthermore, the process of manually mixing the protein powder with a liquid by shaking can by physically demanding, and it&#39;s difficult to tell whether all the clumps are gone when looking through a protein drink, since it is often a non-transparent suspended solution. When using mechanical agitation, the necessity to clean components used during the mixing process (e.g. a blender) is also a sufficient enough deterrent for some protein powder drink consumers. While the goal of “smooth-consistency mixing” exists for every protein powder drink made, the manufacturers of protein powder do not provide a quantitative method of assessing if “complete mixing” has been achieved. In the proposed solution, “complete mixing” is defined as mixing substantially most of the powder from the pod with some minimal residue being possibly left behind inside the pod. 
       FIGS. 1A through 1E  illustrate photographs of a conventional, semi-cylindrical non-expanding transparent test beverage pod at different stages in a beverage mixing process of a protein powder with water and an exit of the mixed beverage out of a pod  10 . Beginning with  FIG. 1A , the powder contents gradually mix with an entering liquid under pressure (such as water, see  FIGS. 1A-1C  which show water entering pod  10  and the mixing process reaching the full saturation point in  FIG. 1C ).  FIG. 1D  shows an intermediate draining stage of the mixed beverage with the water spike removed and  FIG. 1E  shows the transparent test pod  10  after the mixed beverage has completely exited the pod  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a photograph of a similar conventional test pod after a failed test. In  FIG. 2 , the mixed beverage has not all exited the pod  10 , and a boundary layer has formed due to improper mixing methods or pump pressure/runtime parameters. 
     The pod  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1E  and  FIG. 2  are representative of a typical, conventional sealed cartridge that contains beverage forming material therein, with the shape of the pod changing from a semi-cylinder to a sphere-shape in some embodiments.  FIG. 2  demonstrates that the water spike and pod-shape configurations according to the conventional art are carefully refined for each powdered application, because a trivial beverage pod assembly will result in the liquid not being properly distributed within the pod, causing clumps of unmixed powder (shown in region B of  FIG. 2 ) to form, resulting in an unsuccessful mixing process. 
     The clumping issue is compounded when a protein powder concentrate is contained completely within the sealed cartridge or pod for use in one of the aforementioned beverage forming systems, since they are hydrophilic particles unlike other beverage pods that are currently available. As noted, due to the nature of the composition of the hydrophilic protein powder, the powder is more prone to “clumping” within the cartridge or pod during the mixing process. As shown in  FIG. 2 , these clumps can often form in large pockets as the result of the creation of boundary layers (layers of saturated powder (see region A) next to large areas of non-saturated powder (see region B)). 
     Accordingly, when a region of powder in one portion of the pod dissolves away prematurely, it allows the incoming water to follow a path of least-resistance through the already dissolved-away internal-channel as the mixed beverage exits the pod  10 . This ultimately results in an improper (or incompletely) mixed solution in the conventional beverage pod (such as is shown in  FIG. 2 ), leaving behind completely dry (non-saturated) regions of powder that are trapped behind the saturated-powder boundary layers. Thus, what is needed is a cartridge or pod-based beverage forming system which utilizes a pod or cartridge that, without employing any mechanical agitation inside the pod, eliminates the clumping issue when mixing liquids with protein powder and/or other nutritional powders therein, permitting complete mixing of contents inside the pod and exit of all contents therefrom, providing a complete empty and recyclable pod. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a pod for use with a beverage forming system, the pod containing beverage materials therein, the beverage forming system including a liquid reservoir, and a pressurized water pump having an intake line connected to the liquid reservoir and an exit line connectable to the pod via a mixing chamber of the system, where the pod is loaded for use in forming a beverage. The pod includes a body defined by a bottom end, a hollow interior containing a beverage material to be mixed with liquid pressurized by the pumps, and an elongate, hollow water vein element disposed inside the body interior. The pod includes a body defined by a top end, a bottom end, a hollow expandable interior containing a beverage material to be mixed with liquid pressurized by the pump, and an elongate, hollow water vein element disposed inside the expandable interior. An upper end of the water vein element is connected to an opening at the top end of the body that, when connected at the mixing chamber and upon initiation of a mixing process, provides access for the pressurized liquid to flow into the body interior via the water vein element. The water vein element further includes a plurality of holes formed in space relation to one another along the water vein element, such that the pressurized water exits the holes in a pattern of water jets that creates turbulent flow to saturate the beverage material within the pod body, and a spike serving as a distal end of the water vein element, the spike adapted to puncture the bottom of the pod upon initiation of the mixing process to create a vent path via an exit hole into the cup. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a beverage forming system. The system includes a housing, a mixing chamber accessible on the housing for loading a pod containing beverage material therein, the mixing chamber connected to a source of pressurized liquid in the housing, and a platform in the housing for supporting a cup directly beneath the mixing chamber. The pod includes a body with an interior space that is expandable due to the pressurized liquid, with beverage material provided in the interior space and a water vein element extending into the interior space and having an upper end adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized liquid at the mixing chamber. The water vein element further includes a plurality of holes formed in space relation to one another along the elongate water vein element where, upon initiation of a mixing process, the pressurized liquid flows into the interior space via the holes in the water vein element and exits the holes as a pattern of water jets inducing turbulent flow so as to mix the beverage material. The water vein element includes a spike formed at a bottom end of the water vein element and adapted to puncture the bottom of the pod upon initiation of closing the front mixing chamber cover prior to a mixing process so as puncture the bottom of the pod to create an exit hole to port mixed beverage material into a cup on the platform below, wherein additional turbulent flow is created at the pod bottom once the spike has been removed from the formed exit hole. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a beverage pod arranged for use in a beverage forming machine to make a beverage, the beverage pod including a container having a closed interior space that can be expandable in volume using pressure, and including a beverage material located in the interior space, the beverage material usable to form a beverage by interaction of the beverage material with a pressurized liquid introduced into the interior space upon initiation of a mixing process. The beverage pod further includes a turbulent flow creating structure in the closed interior space to cause mixing of the beverage material using pressurized liquid relative to the interior space, wherein mixing occurs in response to a pattern of water jets exiting the turbulent flow creating structure, so as to rapidly saturate the beverage material before clumps form. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a method of mixing contents within a pod with liquid to dispense from a beverage forming machine as a beverage. In the method a beverage pod having a body with a closed interior space is provided, with a beverage material located in the interior space, and with an elongate water vein arranged within the closed interior space. The elongate water vein includes a plurality of holes in spaced relation there along to cause agitation of the beverage material within the interior space by creating turbulent flow. The beverage pod is associated with a mixing chamber in the beverage forming machine to couple the water vein to a source of pressurized liquid. The pressurized liquid is introduced into the water vein to cause a pattern of water jets to exit the water vein so as to induce turbulent flow to mix the pressurized liquid with the beverage material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein. 
         FIGS. 1A through 1E  are photographs of a transparent conventional test beverage pod during stages in a test process of successfully mixing a protein powder with water to form a beverage. The water vein element has been removed during the draining process ( 1 D &amp;  1 E) to demonstrate that incoming water has stopped. 
         FIG. 2  is a photograph of a similar conventional art test pod after a failed test, where the mixed beverage has not all exited the pod, and a boundary layer has formed due to improper mixing methods or pump pressure/runtime parameters. 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a beverage forming system with single serving pod according to the example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a right-side perspective view of the system of  FIG. 3  with the top cover and housing removed to show interior components thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear plan view of the system of  FIG. 3  with the top cover and housing removed to show additional interior components thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a beverage pod (pre-expansion) for use in the beverage forming system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken across line A-A of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the pod of  FIG. 6  to show additional details thereof. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken across line B-B of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a partial exploded parts view of the pod of  FIG. 6  to show additional details therein. 
         FIG. 11  is a portioned view of the pod of  FIG. 6  showing an upper flange ring and water vein element of the pod in more detail. 
         FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the pre-expansion pod of  FIG. 6  after it has been pierced at its bottom by a spike of the water vein element but prior to pressurization to expand the pod into a spherical or convex shape for the mixing process. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken across line C-C of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view taken across line D-D of  FIG. 2  to illustrate additional components of the mixing chamber in more detail. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 14  but with the top cover  131  show in a closed position. 
         FIG. 16  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIGS. 14 and 15  but with the front cover  132  almost fully closed and at its upraised height, whereby the bottom dimple  107  of the pod  110  has been inverted such that causing the spike  118  creates the exit hole  115 . 
         FIG. 17  is yet another cross-sectional view similar to  FIGS. 14 to 16  but with the front cover  132  of the mixing chamber  130  fully closed, the front cover  132  having returned to its original position, the bottom dimple  107  remaining inverted. 
         FIG. 18  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 17  to show the mixing chamber  130  once liquid has started flowing into the pod  110  from the system  100 , providing enough pressure to expand the multiple concave cavities  109 A of the pod, but not sufficient to return the bottom dimple  107  to its original state, dimple  107  remaining wrapped around the spike  118 . 
         FIG. 19  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 18  showing all concave cavities  109 A converted to convex features  109 B after pressurized expansion due to internal pod pressures, pod  110  in a state such that the mixed beverage contents herein are now able to flow out of the exit point  115  created by the spike  118  of the water vein element  116 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a pod  110 ′ having non-expanding form factor according to another example embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the pod  110 ′ in  FIG. 20  to show additional features thereof. 
         FIG. 22  is a partial exploded parts view of the pod  110 ′ in  FIG. 20  to show additional features thereof. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the pod  110 ′ of  FIG. 20  to show internal components and water jet paths in more detail. 
         FIG. 24  is a front, up-angled perspective view of the front cover in a closed orientation according to the example embodiments, to better illustrate ramps which enable the front cover to rise in height as its door rotates to close. 
         FIG. 25  is a front, down-angled perspective view of the front cover in an open orientation according to the example embodiments. 
         FIG. 26  is a top, angled plan view of an opening latch structure which cooperates with the top cover  131  and front cover  132 . 
         FIG. 27  is an angled bottom perspective view of the opening latch of  FIG. 26  to show additional detail thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various example embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one example embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “correspond,” “corresponds,” and “corresponding” are intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of “correspond” or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size. In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     The example embodiments hereafter describe a single serving pod usable in a beverage forming system and a method of mixing the pod contents with liquid in the system to dispense a mixed beverage to a user. Namely in one example, the system described hereafter may be embodied as a pod-based protein powder drink machine which requires minimal cleanup. Pods usable therein are fully recyclable and include powder contents therein applicable to sports nutrition, which are commonly hydrophilic in nature and usually difficult to mix smoothly without using mechanical agitation to breakup clumps that innately form. 
     The proposed design for a pod and beverage mixing system to be described in detail hereafter is unique due to the intended purpose of mixing hydrophilic particles (which are prone to clumping) entirely within the pod, similar to other pod-based mixing systems. This is accomplished without mechanical agitation through the use of hydrodynamic pressures, and in some cases with expandable-volume pods, instead of using mechanical agitation (like a conventional blender) to mix the beverage inside of a fixed-volume container which must then be washed and reused. 
     Additionally as to be shown below, the expanding volume pods utilized in the beverage forming system according to the example embodiments enable the achievement of more consistent results for smooth mixing of hydrophilic powders, since allowing the powder to shift or move inside the expanding pod promotes the natural separation of powder molecules, reducing the amount of clumping observed and preventing the tendency for boundary layers to form on the pod&#39;s inside walls 
       FIGS. 3 to 5  illustrate an example beverage forming system  100  adapted for use with the pod according to the example embodiments;  FIGS. 6-13  show various features of the single use beverage pod assembly (hereafter “pod  110 ”) used in system  100 , and  FIGS. 14-19 and 24-27  show specific features and operations in a mixing chamber  130  of the system  100 . Occasional reference shall be made to various ones of these figures&#39; hereafter. As seen in  FIGS. 6-13  for example, pod  110  includes a container or pod body  111 , top end  112 , bottom end  114 , and a central opening  113  through which pressurized water and air may be introduced within. Although these features shall be explained in further detail hereafter, pod  110  is expandable via internal pressurization into and through an internal water vein element  116 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3-5 , system  100  may include an exterior housing  105  (hereafter “housing  105 ”) which contains or supports a removable primary reservoir  120  designed to hold or be filled with water, and an optional removable secondary reservoir (not shown) designed to hold or be filled with liquids other than water (milk, juice, other). To remove the reservoir  120  for refilling, the reservoir lid  121  is lifted and primary reservoir  120  vertically removed to separate it from housing  105 . 
     A water pump  185  for pressurizing a liquid may be arranged in the housing  105  along with an air pump  180  that provides additional pressure and assists with the draining process. The water pump  185  may have a suction or intake line (well-known but not shown in detail) connected to the removable primary reservoir  120  (and/or to the removable secondary reservoir). As shown best in  FIG. 5 , the water pump  185  has an exit line  186  that is connected at its distal end to a Y-connector  190 . The Y-connector  190  is what combines the air (from air pump exit line  183 ) and water in exit line  186  that are to about be pumped into the mixing chamber  130 . 
     In an example, a food-grade air filter  181  may be used with air pump  180  to purify the air of particulates prior to introducing it to the water for mixing it at the base of Y-connector  190 . Namely, Y-connector  190  carries the water through a top cover  131  of the mixing chamber  130  and pumps it out a fluid exit nozzle  135  into a pod entry point, shown in various figures as the aforementioned central opening  113  at the upper or top end  112  of the beverage pod  110 . Once the top cover  131  is closed, through a connection established, the distal end of the water pump exit line  186  may be associated to or otherwise connectable to an upper end of a water vein element  116  at the central opening  113  in pod  110 . 
     Loading of pod  110  may be via an access or opening in the front of the mixing chamber  130 . As an example, the mixing chamber  130  could be embodied as a front-loading mixing chamber (as depicted in  FIGS. 3 to 5 ). The mixing chamber  130  may also have a pivotable front cover  132  which not only serves the cosmetic purpose of concealing the pod  110  when closed, but which also includes internal ramps  139 A (as best shown in  FIG. 24 ) on its underside that cause the front cover  132  to be raised into contact with the bottom  114  of the pod  110 , forcing a distal end of the water vein element  116  (known as a “spike  118 ”) to puncture through the bottom end  114  of pod  110 , thereby creating an exit hole  115  for removal of the mixed beverage contents therein. 
     For a front-loaded mixing chamber such as chamber  130  to accommodate pod  110 , an example construction for the mixing chamber could be as a modification of a brew chamber designed by KEURIG for their K-CUP system, namely a modification of the receptacle profile to match the pod  110  shape. In general, the pod size for mixing hydrophilic powders should be larger because these powder particles are difficult to mix and often experience higher clumping rates in smaller relative volumes, which is why an expanding-volume pod  110  is described herein. 
     Mixing chamber  130  may include an opening or receptacle area for the pod  110  to rest upon (hereafter “pod holder  133 ”) with an accessible top (hence top cover  131 ) configured and dimensioned to receive a beverage pod  110  therein. A fixed frame for supporting the pod holder  133  is contained within mixing chamber  130 , sitting on housing  105 . The mixing chamber  130  can support the pod holder  133  from the top, but allows for pivotal movement about a first axis that is aligned with the center vertical axis of the pod  110  once loaded in the pod holder  133 . 
     With occasional reference to  FIGS. 14-19 and 24-27 , front cover  132  of the mixing chamber  130  rotates about this same axis and also has the freedom to travel vertically up and down by a small amount, driven by ramps  139 A present on the underside base  137 A of the front cover  132 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . These ramps  139 A are equal and opposite in shape to ramps  139 B seen on a base  137 B of an opening latch assembly  160 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . Namely, the front cover  132  is mounted on a torsion spring  134  which returns it to an open position unless front cover  132  is fully closed, and it may be released by pressing on the opening latch button  161  which lowers the spring-loaded base  137 B of the opening latch assembly  160  ( FIG. 27  shows spring hole  163  locations), allowing the front cover  132  to swing-open and return to its fully open position. At the same time, the opening latch button  161  also releases the spring-loaded mixing chamber top cover  131  to open upward. In this way, with the press of one-button (opening latch button  161 ) the user can easily open both spring-loaded covers  131 ,  132  at once and be ready to remove the pod  110  after mixing. 
     Top cover  131  in an example is articulated and may be supported on the frame of housing  105  for pivotal movement about a second axis between a raised position (“open”) which allows access to pod holder  133  for loading and unloading of pods, and a lowered position closing the top cover  131  down into its vertically aligned mixing position, which creates a seal between the fluid exit nozzle  135  of mixing chamber  130  and central opening  113  of the pod  110 . The first and second axes may be parallel or perpendicular (as in this example) depending on the desired construction of system  100 . 
     A linkage may be provided to connect the pod-holder  133  to the mixing chamber  130  and the top cover  131 . The linkage may serve to pivotally connect the different pieces such that the user may manipulate the top cover  131  and front cover  132  between their open and closed (mixing) positions in response to movement of the top cover  131  between its raised and lowered positions, and pivotal movement of the front cover  132  from its open position to its closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 25 , at the point where the front cover  132  is almost in the closed/mixing position, a cylindrical post  138  may be designed to lift the bottom end  114  of the pod  110  such that the spike  118  punctures the bottom  114  so as to create the exit point  115  as shown in various figures. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , to access the central opening  113  at the top end  112  of pod  110 , a user must simply remove a pull-tab hermetic seal  108  (dotted line circle) that covers the central opening  113  so that access for pressurized liquid into the closed interior space of the pod  110  is provided, in preparation for a manual or automatic initiation of top cover  131  being closed, thus creating a water-tight seal with the fluid exit nozzle  135  prior to a mixing process in pod  110 . 
     Thus, once the pod  110  is loaded in the pod holder  133  or mixing chamber  130 , after top cover  131  and front cover  132  have been closed (in that order), initiation of a mixing process is possible by a user manually or automated via a control button at a control panel  140 . This enables liquid from the removable primary reservoir  120  to be pressurized and ported via the water pump  185  through Y-connector  190  out fluid exit nozzle  135  and into the top of pod  110  through central opening  113 . 
     The control panel  140  or control interface (such as an LCD panel or other button interface) is provided for system  100  operation (selecting quantities of water to dispense, such 6 oz., 8 oz., 10 oz., 12 oz., etc., initiating the mixing process, display of system indicator signals/lights, etc.) An access port to the housing  105 , commonly described as a cup receptacle area  150  is provided within the housing  105  so as to place a cup or bottle therein for receiving mixed beverage contents which are exiting the mixing chamber  130  via the exit point  115  created through the bottom end  114  of the pod  110 . 
     Incoming power to the system is provided by AC power cable  191  which can be stored in an embedded opening in housing  105  so-as to minimize its storage footprint when not in use, similar to other household appliances. AC power cable  191  supplies incoming power to the motor drive and power control PCB  195 , which also receives user-inputs from control panel  140  and sends the corresponding system indicator light signals back to control panel  140  for display to the user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 to 13 , the pod  110  according to the example embodiments include a walled, hollow container or body  111  with a top end  112  connected to a water vein element  116  via a flange  104 . Element  116  has a distal tip referred to as a spike  118  intended to pierce through the bottom end  114  of pod  110  to create the exit point  115 . Pod body  111  is adapted to be capable of articulating from concave form factor to a convex or spherical form factor under pressure, and in that form is punctured or vented so as to release mixed beverage contents via exit point  115  into a cup. In an example, pod  110  can be in any shape, and water vein element  116  can have different combinations of holes  117 , which may be cut or formed into the body of the water vein element  116  that is within the closed interior space of pod body  111 , so as to generate different spray patterns. The form factors of the pod  110  shown in  FIGS. 6-13 , in combination, promotes successful mixing for difficult-to-mix hydrophilic protein powders as described herein. 
     Central opening  113  is sealed to the fluid exit nozzle  135  and which represents an upper end of an attached or otherwise integrally-formed hollow water vein element  116  in an elongate or tubular shape. The water vein element  116  incudes the aforementioned plurality of holes  117  in spaced relation to one another along the water vein element  116  so that, once a mixing process has been initiated and the sealed central opening  113  is connected to the fluid exit nozzle  135 , a pattern of water jets  106  is created due to pressurized water from the water pump  185  (and air pump  180 ) entering the hollow water vein element  116 . As will be discussed further below, this will create turbulent flow within the closed interior space of pod body  111  to promote mixing of the liquid with the beverage material therein. Air will also begin to accumulate at the top of the pod  110 , slowly forcing the mixed beverage solution therein downward through exit point  115  into the cup receptacle area  150  that is positioned directly below the mixing chamber  130 . 
     In a non-expanding pod embodiment (beverage pod ‘ 110 ’) shown in  FIGS. 20 to 23 , and referring primarily to  FIG. 23 , the water jets  106  formed by porting pressurized liquid through the holes  117  shoot directly straight out, with the exception of holes  117  formed on curved surfaces near the bottom of water vein element  116 ; these jets  106 , while shooting straight out radially, are at an angle to the horizontal. 
     Alternatively, some of these holes  117  may be directed radially out from the side of the water vein element  116 , so as to port out outward, (or even downward pointing) such as the holes directly next to the spike  118 . Another arrangement of holes may be a combination of radially direct side holes, holes on a rounded surface that project radially out as angled jets, and/or downward water jets creating turbulent flow near the exit point so as to agitate the beverage material additionally upon it exiting the pod  110 ′ further deterring clumping and preventing clogging near the exit point (an example being powder contents  119  in  FIG. 23 ). The beverage material takes up about 66.6% to 80% of the starting volume in pod  110 / 110 ′ prior to the pod expansion during the mixing process, with about 20-33% of the interior space volume left free for promoting clump-free mixing and deterring material from getting stuck to the top underside surface of the pod  110  or  110 ′. Additional air is pumped (through a food-grade air filter  181 ) from the air pump  180  during the mixing process to further force the beverage solution downward and prevent this residue issue. After the water pump  185  has run its full cycle and is turned off, air is pumped (via Y-connector  190  and exit nozzle  135 ) into the pod  110  or  110 ′ to complete the draining process of the mixed beverage. 
     As previously noted, the spike  118  is designed to initiate the venting process whereby the mixed beverage exits pod  110  at exit point  115  into the cup which is below in the cup receptacle area  150 . Once the mixing process is initiated via the control panel  140 , the mixing process will automatically terminate at a certain time interval after initiation. This time internal is dependent on certain user parameters for desired volume of liquid. The proprietary pressures, pod  110 / 110 ′ form factors and corresponding pump  180 ,  185  runtimes for each pod type are specifically designed to allow pod  110  (or  110 ′) to be properly pressurized with fluid to promote turbulent flow and mixing, and to ensure the front cover  132  is actuated during closing such that spike  118  punctures the bottom end  114  of pod  110  to create the exit hole  115  for venting. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , one possible construction for the top end  112  of the pod  110  includes a circular material flange element  104 . One method for hermetic sealing of these 0-shaped plastic flanges  104  is ultrasonic welding. These mating surfaces of flange  104  has another functional purpose aside from being a platform for centering the water vein element  116 , as it also gives the user a surface on which they can rest the pod  110  when placing it into the pod holder  133  prior to lowering the system top cover  131 . Flange  104  also provides a flat surface to mount the hermetic seal/pull-tab  108  that will cover the central opening  113  during storage and distribution. At the central opening  113 , the pod  110  may be connected to the fluid exit nozzle  135  downstream of the water pump  185  via some type of water tight connector  136  (one example being a such as a nozzle-shaped ring-seal), to provide a liquid-tight seal between the top cover  131 , fluid exit nozzle  135  and central opening  113 . 
     In some embodiments pod  110  is intended to be single-use to prevent the potential for bio-contamination caused by improperly cleaned reusable containers. This is especially true for nutritional powders such as protein powder, because a protein powder has a tendency to clump, stick to walls, and otherwise leave a bio-film type residue which a user must physically scrub off. 
     The single-serving pod-based design of this beverage mixing system is unique to other options for mixing protein powders because our solution requires zero clean-up (aside from recycling/discarding the empty pod). All this is accomplished without any mechanical agitation. Compare this to the GUDPOD™ product, which uses mechanical agitation through an inverted blender-motor. GUDPOD requires this because their solution employs disposable blender tines formed into an ornamental pod-like shape, together with a proprietary cup that must be used with their disposable containers, which needs to be cleaned before every use. Conversely, the present solution does not have any parts that must be cleaned prior to each use, and it works with any cup or bottle provided by the user in cup area  150 . 
     Accordingly, pod  110  with its internal beverage material contents is expandable, single-use and multi-purpose (not just for hydrophilic powders/protein powders, but also may be used for other powdered beverages). Pod  110  serves as the storage/delivery method for the powder, as well as the physical mixing container for the mixing process that produces the single serving of beverage material. It serves as the location for the pressurized water to merge with the powdered beverage material, and its expanding form factor corresponds with system parameters to regulate pressure and promote turbulent flow at the right moment so as to agitate the powder into saturated (and hence dissolved) beverage material without clumping, and then to dispense a mixed beverage solution therefrom. Although there may be slight residue remaining after venting the mixed beverage contents from pod  110  into a cup, (which may be resting on an adjustable height platform in cup receptacle area  150 ), the turbulent flow provided by the pattern of water jets  106  facilities near-complete mixing, whereby almost all of the contents of the pod  110  are washed out completely upon completion of venting. 
     In one example, pod  110  may be made of a material such as HDPE and/or LDPE recyclable plastic and may thus be immediately recyclable after preparation of the mixed beverage since there is such minimal residue or contents left in the empty pod after the drink has been made. 
     In one example construction (see for example in  FIGS. 21 and 23 ), the pod  110  may include a proprietary geometry tip  103  at the bottom end  114  which is specially constructed to create additional turbulence for the mixing of fluids passing through it near the final exit point  115 , thus acting like a turbulence generating means or mechanism to improve mixing when fluid is forced over/around it. In this embodiment, the shape of the spike  118  serves this purpose with its relative proximity to exit point  115 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 14 to 19 , the pod  110  may include concave cavities  109 A that revert to convex features  109 B upon the pod  110  being pressurized by the water pump  185  and the air pump  180  during the mixing process. In this embodiment, the concave form factor is also functionally designed to have a rectangular cross section, which helps to reduce its over footprint and size, decreasing packaging costs and reducing space requirements during storage and transportation. The concave cavity which turns into a convex surface feature also allows space for the internal beverage powder, such as protein powder, to spread out into during the initial mixing process, promoting clump-free mixing that can still occur while achieving the cost saving benefits of lower overall requirements for shipping and storage volumes. 
     Before describing the mixing operation, an overview of the basis for Applicants&#39; mixing is described. Near complete dissolution of the beverage contents or materials (such as protein powder) within the pod  110  is achieved by using the water pump  185  and air pump  180  to create pressure and turbulence inside the pod  110 , via water jets  106  exiting the water vein element  116 , draining through an exit hole  115  in the bottom of the pod  110  into the cup receptacle area  150  below the mixing chamber  130 . An example of a successful mixing process is where substantially all of the powdered contents are removed or exit the pod  110  during the mixing cycle, with the exception of minor residue, particularly in more concentrated volumetric mixtures (which is possible since the user may specify the desired volume of liquid for one serving of powder, which does not change in size based on the liquid volume used). In recalling how large clumps can occur (due to creation of boundary layers (layers of saturated powder next to large areas of non-saturated powder)), this would represent a failed mixing process where the beverage contents would not become fully saturated. This ultimately results in a partially mixed beverage solution, potentially leaving behind completely dry regions of powder behind the boundary layers inside the pod  110  (as shown previously in  FIG. 2 ) and possibly even clogging the exit point  115  of the pod  110 . Saturated clumps which are large enough to see but are small enough to fit around spike  118  and exit out of the exit point  115  may also possibly be dispensed into a consumer&#39;s glass, and if these clumps are large enough in size that they are noticeable to the consumer while drinking; such would be indicative of insufficient or improper mixing of the final mixed beverage. 
     Accordingly, bringing the pod  110  to a sufficiently high internal pressure using pressurized water from the water pump  185  and mixed in air from the air pump  180  enables the pressure in the pod  110  to “force saturate” nearly all of the beverage material, such as protein powder, in three (3) seconds or less. The rapid speed of saturation prevents the creation of the aforementioned boundary layers. For hydrophilic powders like protein powder which need a greater amount of water per-weight prior to being fully saturated, the expanding internal volume for the pod  110  was developed to promote natural separation of the powder particles during the moment of saturation (dissolvement). The natural shifting that occurs between powder particles during the pressurized expansion further prevents the occurrence of boundary layers and even also prevents smaller saturated clumps that may be visible to the user in the cup, but not large enough to taste when drinking. At a point during the expansion (see  FIG. 18 ) of the pod  110 , a bottom dimple  107  will release off of the spike  118  from its inverted position opening the exit point (see  FIG. 19 ) immediately prior to allowing the outflow of mixed beverage to dispense at exit point  115  from the pod  110 . This technique enables successful mixing of the protein powder within the pod  110  without mechanical agitation because it allows the internal pod pressure to grow large enough to saturate the powder before beginning to dispense the mixed beverage into the cup receptacle area  150 . 
     At the time the powder has become fully saturated inside the pod (where it is in a semi-solution, thick slurry type state) but has not been dispensed yet, this signifies the point where it is most prone to dissolve completely with the least amount of further hyrdrodynamic agitation/energy required. Counterintuitively, leaving the powder stagnant in a liquid bath or slurry state for a longer time without further mixing does not help the dissolving process, but rather the stagnant nature of the soaking of the powder creates the aforementioned saturated clumps that can be noticeable to the consumer during consumption and large enough to clog the exit point  115  if not properly avoided. Should the liquid and the powder sit in the pod  110  so as to become stagnant in an attempt to completely saturate the powder, the regions of powder that are furthest away from the water vein element  116  (at the inside corners within the interior space of the pod body  111 ) would be prone to saturated clumping, and sticking to the pod  110  interior walls causing residue/clumps. Any protein powder residing in detailed areas surrounding the spike  118  and inside the water jet holes  117  may also clump, possibly causing failure during mixing. 
     The downward facing water jets  106  near the spike  118 , created by pressurized water exiting holes  117  (these jets having an angled profile through the body relative to horizontal due to being located on the bottom side of the curved portion of water vein element  116 ) provide necessary additional agitation at the inside of the pod  110  towards the bottom  114  of pod  110  and around the spike  118  while flowing out exit point  115 . This arrangement of holes  117  and water jets  106  created therefrom promotes near-complete mixing of powder in water, much more so than if the downward facing water jets  106  are absent. Without the downward facing jets  106  being pointed at exit point  115 , the creation of boundary layers/clumping/clogging in the interior space directly below spike  118  towards the bottom  114  of the pod  110  is almost certain to happen. 
     Thus, these downward-facing water jets  106  near spike  118 , since they are pointed directly out at the exit point  115  and also at the bottom inside corners of the pod  110 , help to eliminate problems in an expected area where clumping was commonly observed during tests. Once boundary layers are formed at the bottom end  114  of the pod  110 , the exit point  115  often becomes clogged during draining and dispensing of the mixed beverage. The combination of internal pressures, pump  180 ,  185  run times, exit-point  115  release timing, and form factors of the pod  110  are demonstrative of a well thought out and non-trivial solution, in which the pod  110  could be prone to failure if not executed properly, in particular in the case of mixing hydrophilic/protein powders. 
     Thus, in the operation as to be described hereafter, the timing of both the force-saturation of the powder and the timing of the release of the bottom end  114  of the pod  110  (at exit point  115 ) off the spike  118  for venting pod  110  to release the pressure (creating downward turbulent flows) must be rapidly executed and precisely configured down to the second for each of the stages of the mixing process. The whole process generally occurs in less than 10 sec (not including draining) depending on the pod form factor. If the mixing cycle timing is not properly executed (once pressurized water enters the hollow water vein element  116 ), results will yield clumping or clogging inside the pod  110  at exit point  115 . In other words, the pressurization period before venting is both critical to the process and critically timed during mixing initiation so as to prevent saturated clumping inside the pod  110 , before pressure release occurs from the punctured hole. Otherwise if the force saturation of powder occurs too slow, or if the powder is left sitting in the water inside pod body  111  for longer than a few seconds, the boundary layers and saturated clumps will form in that short time and the resultant mixed beverage will not be made consistently (without using mechanical agitation) every time. This can easily be demonstrated by simply placing a serving of protein powder in a cup and adding water on top; it instantly becomes difficult-to-remove clumps and boundary layers within seconds of adding the water; this is for every single instance. 
     Reference again is made to  FIGS. 14 to 19  so as to describe a mixing operation of beverage material (such as protein powder) within pod  110 . In operation, a user loads a single-serving protein powder pod  110  into the pod holder  133 . The top cover  131  is first closed, creating a water-tight seal between the top end  112  of the pod  110  at central opening  113  and the fluid exit nozzle  133  with the nozzle-shaped ring-seal connector  136 , potentially made out of a rubber or neoprene material. The front cover  132  is then pivoted to close ( FIG. 16 ); as this occurs the post  138  (see also  FIG. 24 ) of the front cover  132  contacts/raises the bottom end  114  of pod  110  upward (see ramps  139 A,  139 B,  FIGS. 24 and 26 ) to be punctured by the spike  118 , and then falls back down again ( FIG. 17 ) allowing for the bottom  114  to eventually expand outward later ( FIGS. 18, 19 ) under pressure. Accordingly, the pod  110  expands during the mixing process under liquid pressure imparted by the water pump  185  so as to facilitate the mixing of powders prone to clumping by giving the powder a new volume to expand into during the moment of saturation. 
     Once both covers  131 ,  132  are closed, the user can make a selection on the control panel  140  to select the desired amount of water to mix with the powder serving, or if the desired amount of liquid is already selected, the user can simply start the mixing process with one touch of a button. The fully recyclable plastic pod  110  contains loose powder (beverage material), and includes the initially-empty hollow water vein element  116  with its puncturing-spike  118  at a distal end. 
     About 20%-33% by volume within the pod  110  remains empty space to promote successful mixing and prevent residue from sticking to the inside roof of the pod. There is another reason for this too, relating to clumping. To further prevent clumping and clogging at the exit point  115 , there must be some additional empty space within the pod  110  that is not filled by protein powder for the powder to expand/shift into during the initial moments of mixing. Conversely, if the pod  110  is filled over 85% by volume with a beverage material such as protein powder, the powder has less (or no) free space to move inside of the pod  110 , and Applicants have determined through testing that stagnant protein powder (albeit semi-saturated or not) sitting in liquid quickly becomes highly prone to clumping. This also means that there is a lower initial volume of water entering the pod  110  prior to it reaching the force-saturation pressure, because the incompressible nature of the powder with no air causes a sufficient back-pressure against the water/air pumps such that the incoming water flow rate greatly decreases after one short initial burst. If the powder is reasonably compressed during the time of attempted force saturation, saturated clumps are more likely to occur, and the water jets will only serve to have an effect at slowly dissolving/eating away the outside portions of the compressed powder instead of properly mixing all of the powder particles in. 
     The result therefore of the pod  110  being over 85% filled with powder is that the powder molecules move/shift less within the actual pod  110  during mixing, and the presence of pressure-packed pockets of powder (not to be mistaken with internal pressure created in the pod  110 ) greatly contribute to clumping. For hydrophilic powders to mix effectively without being physically broken up by a mechanical agitator, these powders must be able to expand and the particles be allowed to naturally separate otherwise they will often result in uneven and unpredictable clumping patterns created by uncontrollable slight variations in the regional relative-density within the powder. The powder displaces itself upon the initial pressurized liquid (such as water) entering the pod  110 , and since the powder naturally tends to float, the powder towards the bottom naturally spreads itself out inside of the pod  110  during the water pumping process. 
     As to the mixing operation, the cross-sectional view in  FIG. 14  shows a start position, with the hollow water vein element  116  attached within pod  110  and aligned with the central opening  113 , such that the spike  118  is able to puncture cleanly through the bottom end  114  of pod  110  creating the exit hole  115 . Water is introduced from the water pump  185  suctioning water out of removable primary reservoir  120  and porting it through its water line up to the Y-Connector ( 190 —see  FIG. 5 ) out the fluid exit nozzle  135  into the water vein element  116  via central opening  113 . The fluid exit nozzle  135  is connected to or otherwise aligned with central opening  113  on the top half of the pod  112  such that a nozzle-shaped ring-seal  136  forms a water-tight seal between the pod entry point  113  and the fluid exit nozzle  135 . This water is under pressure and fills the hollow water vein element  116 , with water jet streams  106  created as the water exits via holes  117 . The internal pod pressure causes the concave cavity  109 A walls of the expandable pod  110  to protrude outward into a convex feature  109 B form factor (or spherical form factor), giving the powder new space to move into as it mixes with the incoming liquid prior to being dispensed out exit point  115 . 
     The water pump  185  fills the pod  110  with fluid and the internal pod  110  pressure causes all of the loose beverage material (such as protein powder) to be forcefully saturated within the initial seconds of the water pump running. Simultaneous to the powder becoming forcefully saturated, the expandable side walls of the pod body  111 &#39;s internal cavity pop outward under the internal pressure of the incoming liquid. 
     With occasional reference to  FIGS. 24-27 , the cover  132  is almost but not fully closed (see also  FIG. 16 ) and rides up vertically, driven by ramps  139 A on its underside and pushes upwards via post  138  against the bottom  114  of the pod  110  so that the spike  118  is forced to puncture through the bottom  114  of the pod  110  to create the exit point  115  for venting. 
     With reference to  FIG. 17 , front cover  132  then releases downward (once front cover  132  is fully closed, locking into position against the opening latch ramps  139 B) again to ensure that the bottom end  114  of the pod  110  at exit point  115  can release and allow dispensing the beverage so that the internal pod  110  pressure does not come to pressure-equilibrium with the pump, which would stop/start the flow of liquid, often resulting in an improperly mixed beverage. 
     Namely, the underside ramps  139 A on base  137 A of the front cover  132  travel up symmetrical but-opposite to cooperating ramps  139 B on the mating base  137 B directly below it (called the opening latch assembly  160 ). At the highest point of the ramps  139 A/B contact, the front cover  132  is raised up vertically a sufficient distance to invert the bottom dimple-shaped feature  107  of the pod  110  (see any of the sectional views in  FIGS. 16-18 ), creating exit hole  115 . There is some slight pressure leakage around the spike  118  and exit point  115  with the spike  118  extended through the bottom end  114  of the pod  110 , but it does not functionally impact the efficacy of the pressurization process during saturation of the powder. 
     The internal pressure inside the pod  110  grows to a point where the bottom of the pod  114  is pushed downward/outward again so that the spike  118  is quickly retracted from the exit point  115 , as shown best in  FIG. 18  (before) and  FIG. 19  (after). This facilitates the initial significant flow rate of mixed beverage out of the pod exit point  115 . Moreover, the retraction of the dimple feature  107  at the bottom end  114  of pod  110  off of the spike  118  releases pressure facilitating additional turbulent flow in the previously unoccupied volume around the profile of the spike  118  and around bottom end  114  in the interior space of pod body  111  via the downward facing water jets  106  formed out radial holes  117 , which further agitate the newly saturated powder. The rapidly mixed beverage fluid (due to turbulent flow of the pattern of water jets  106  emitted from the holes  117  on water vein element  116 ) exiting through the vent path created at exit point  115  by the spike  118  causes turbulent flow in the water that mixes the saturated powder into a uniform liquid solution (suspended-solution) that is dispensed as the mixed beverage drains into the user&#39;s cup below in cup receptacle area  150 . The water pump  185  also stops at the end of the mixing period based on the desired liquid volume selected by the user, which removes pressure that is then compensated for by the air pump  180  which runs until the pod  110  has drained fully and no longer has any liquid contents remaining. 
     Accordingly, there are two separate turbulent flow conditions that promote complete mixing: (a) the turbulent flow generated by the radial holes  117  and the downward/outward water jets  106  exiting water vein element  116 , and (b) the turbulent flows created by the rapidly displaced material and the mixed beverage exiting from inside of the pod  110  that begins immediately after the spike  118  is retracted from the exit hole  115  made via puncturing the bottom  114  of the pod  110 . The turbulence provided by the pressurized flowing water in both conditions thus results in an energy substitute for mechanical agitation, which is not employed in system  100 . As such, the system  100  and/or pod  110  does not require the use of any mechanical agitation mechanism, as opposed to many prior art beverage forming systems—(mechanical agitation examples including blenders, shaking bottles, whisk balls or using stirring techniques) inside or external to housing  105  to achieve sufficient mixing of a beverage. The system  100  also does not require any heat energy to mix or physical energy to be supplied by the user or by other external powered means. 
     The pressurization of water to create the turbulence conditions thus replaces mechanical agitation, while recreating predictable scenarios of fluid dynamics within the pod  110  on a consistent basis so that adequate mixing is consistently ensured. The placement and patterns of the water jets  106  via holes  117  in the water vein element  116  are thus strategically distributed across the entire inner volume of the pod  110 . Therefore, within the pod  110  additional turbulent flow is created by the forced water flow around the spike  118  at the bottom  114  of the pod, in addition to that caused by the pattern of water jets  106 , to substantially mix the beverage material and liquid. 
     Moreover, the cup filling time with mixed beverage, upon initiation of the mixing process, is variable depending on the composition of the beverage material within the closed interior space of the body  111  of pod  110  and the expandable form factor of the pod  110 . 
     In one example, a portion of (or all of) the pod  110  may be composed of thin food-safe vacuum formable, blow-moldable, or injection molded plastic(s). In an example, the top half of the pod  112 , including water vein element  116  with spike  118  may be a singular piece via injection molded plastic materials and the like. In an example, the plastic may be malleable so that the whole pod  110  is capable of plastically deforming and rebounding by a small amount, but the distal tip/spike  118  of the water vein element must be stiff enough to puncture the bottom  114  of the pod  110 . The pod  110  remains sealed throughout the entire mixing process in every place but the punctured exit point  115 . An easily removable hermetic seal  108 , such as a thin tin foil or paper seal may be used to protect and maintain the opening  113  to keep the water vein element  116  protected and food-safe during storage and distribution. 
     The example embodiments having been described; it is apparent that such have many varied applications. For example, in an alternative construction, an additional (user-washable) agitation piece may be added to the beverage forming system  100  at the bottom of the mixing chamber directly below the pod exit point  115 . This piece would serve to further mix the fluid solution as liquid dispenses out of the pod and into the consumer&#39;s cup. This optional piece creates additional agitation of the mixed beverage prior to releasing it into the cup. This “agitation piece” may be designed with the intent of creating more turbulence in the fluid solution, which in turn increases the “creamy” flavor naturally exhibited by the flavor profiles of most protein powders when extremely well mixed. When over-mixed, protein powder beverages will foam and bubble, which makes it difficult for the user to drink right away or quickly (due to the high air content), so getting the proper amount of turbulence by using the agitation piece is desirable. One example of this additional piece may be an element or article having a grid-like pattern, such as a turbulence grid or a sieve, and/or several stacked onto each other within a compact  1 ″ cubic space so as to generate a thicker or creamier mixed beverage due to the additional mixing by the agitation piece. The presence of such a turbulence grid utilizes fluid dynamics to create energy, just like the pod internal design does, and thus does not constitute mechanical agitation since the agitation piece of the beverage forming system  100  has no mechanical motion during mixing. The presence of the agitation piece is not required, and would introduce an optional embodiment where the user would then have to clean or thoroughly rinse one easily removable attachment piece (the agitation piece) after using the product to mix a beverage. 
     In another example, system  100  may be configured to include or incorporate a cooling element which chills the water prior to it entering the mixing chamber  130 . Examples may include use of a peltier cooler and/or a small refrigerated reservoir. Consumers of protein beverages often prefer them cold, and often describe that the perceived taste is improved when the beverage is cold. 
     While the example embodiments describe the beverage material as a protein powder drink substance packaged into a pod  110 , the interior dry contents of pod  110  could alternatively include any of sugared powdered drinks, kids&#39; drinks, energy powders, melatonin (and other sleep-aid) powders, baby formula powders, pre-workout and post-workout formulas, other nutritional supplements, and vitamin substances, etc. The mixing time periods and form-factor of the pod body  111  may vary, depending on the type and composition of beverage material within the interior of pod body  111 . This is because the composition of some beverage materials may have particles that may be easier to mix or dissolve, or where some powders may be more hydrophilic than others, thus potentially requiring more or less time and custom parameters during mixing and saturation process to properly mix the beverage and allow it to vent via exit hole  115 . Applicants anticipate cup fill times being in a range between 2-4 seconds after the mixing button is pressed before the draining begins initially, and up to 30 seconds before the draining process is completed. 
     In an alternative example, the beverage material in pod  110  may include a liquid soluble concentrate instead of a powder which is mixed using the process described above. This is in contrast to conventional post-mix machines commercially available because the water/liquid is being introduced to a fully self-enclosed container for mixing to occur inside the pod  110 , which already contains the liquid concentrate in a single-serving amount, as opposed to using a metered-mixing approach. 
     In another alternative example, the beverage material in pod  110  may include an oil concentrate or other liquid non-soluble contents for complete dispersal to create an insoluble mixed solution prior to dispensing it into the user&#39;s cup, while leaving only minimal residue inside of the pod  110 . Various oil concentrates can be used to deliver a number of benefits, and because many are not water soluble or not easily dissolved/diluted, a custom designed pod and water vein element could be implemented for the proposed embodiment to mix the two insoluble solutions without mechanical agitation. 
     Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.