Instant beverage cartridges and methods

Abstract

Present embodiments generally relate to a single-serve beverage cartridge for use with a single-serve coffee brewer. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a cup, a lid, and a single serving of instant coffee or another instant beverage component. In some embodiments, the cartridge is configured to be pierced by one or more piercing members, which can provide an opening for liquid to flow into and / or out of the cartridge. In certain instances, the cartridge includes an insert configured to facilitate mixing of the instant beverage component with the liquid. In some embodiments, the instant beverage component is compressed. In certain embodiments, the cartridge does not include a filter or a barrier configured to retain non-liquid matter within the cartridge.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 383,564, filed Sep. 16, 2010, titled “BEVERAGE CARTRIDGE FOR INSTANT COFFEE,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates to a sealed cartridge containing a single serving of an instant beverage component for producing a beverage when fluid is introduced into the cartridge. The cartridge can be configured for use with single-serve beverage machines.DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN RELATED ART[0003]FIG. 1 illustrates beverage capsule 10 known in the art. The capsule 10 includes a container 12 with a bottom wall 13, a side wall 14, and a cover 15. The cover 15 is welded to a shoulder 16 of the capsule 10. The capsule 10 contains substantially non-soluble coffee grounds 17 for producing a brewed espresso beverage when water is introduced into the capsule 10 under high pressure (e.g., greater than thirty (30) psi). The...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Single-serve beverage machines are devices that are designed to produce a single serving, or sometimes a single cup, of a desired beverage. In comparison to other types of beverage machines (such as drip coffee makers having a multi-cup carafe), single-serve beverage machines can, for example, enhance convenience by reducing the time to prepare the beverage. Furthermore, single-serve beverage machines can reduce waste by decreasing the likelihood of producing excess amounts of the beverage, which may go unused and be subsequently discarded.

[0006]Some single-serve beverage machines employ a cartridge or capsule containing one or more instant beverage components to produce the beverage. Generally, such cartridges are received in the single-serve beverage machine, are used to produce the single serving of the beverage, and are then removed from the machine and discarded, thereby freeing the machine for further use. However, as the cartridges are used only once, it can be desirable to reduce the complexity and the number of parts of the cartridges, thus reducing production and manufacturing costs and reducing waste.

[0007]Moreover, in some instances, it can be desirable for the cartridge to be configured to encourage mixing of the instant beverage component during the production of the beverage. For example, in certain cases it is helpful for the cartridge to facilitate mixing of the instant beverage component with a liquid that is injected into the cartridge. Such mixing can, for example, enhance dissolution of some of the instant beverage component into the liquid and can increase the likelihood of the beverage being produced as intended (e.g., taste profile, intensity, color, and the like).

[0008]Further, as certain types of instant beverage components (e.g., coffee, tea, fruit juices, etc.) can be degraded by contact with the environment, it can be helpful to reduce the surface area of the instant beverage component that is exposed to the environment and / or to provide an alternate environment. For example, the instant beverage component can be compressed, thereby evacuating much of the air disposed among the instant beverage component and reducing the total surface area of the instant beverage component in contact with air. Additionally, such compression can result in the instant beverage component occupying a reduced volume. In some cases, the instant beverage component is housed in an alternate environment, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the instant beverage component is housed so as to limit or otherwise control the transmission of water vapor and / or oxygen between the instant beverage component and the ambient environment.

[0014]In some embodiments, a cartridge for producing a single serving of a beverage includes a cup having a bottom wall and a shoulder disposed generally opposite the bottom wall, a lid joined with the shoulder, and a single serving of an instant beverage component disposed in the cup. The instant beverage component can be compressed into a block or puck such that substantially all the air has been removed therefrom. In certain such instances, the block of instant beverage component is configured to break apart when a liquid is injected into the cup, thereby facilitating mixing of the instant beverage component with the liquid to form the beverage.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, such compression can result in the instant beverage component occupying a reduced volume.

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