Beverage filter cartridge

Abstract

A beverage filter cartridge for use in a single serve beverage brewing machine, the cartridge including a sleeve with a cup-shaped filter pouch containing a beverage material sealed to the inside thereof proximate to a top end. The top end includes a flange to which a cover is sealed. A bottom cover of the sleeve seals the cartridge and to prevent spoilage of the beverage material by atmospheric oxygen. The cartridge includes a filter bag with a dry beverage material. The inner surface of the sleeve has a series of vertically oriented channels which allow for the brewed beverage to flow out of the sides of the filter hag and down the channels before exiting the cartridge at the bottom. The brewed beverage can flow out of the bottom of the cartridge either via the side of the filter bag through the channels or through the bottom of the filter bag.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 522,051, filed Aug. 10, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a cartridge for coffee, tea, and other beverages in amounts suitable for preparing single servings thereof in beverage makers designed to accommodate them.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]Beverage filter cartridges used in specially designed beverage makers are well known in the art. Essentially, beverage filter cartridges of this type have included an impermeable, yieldably pierceable base shaped like a cup. A self-supporting wettable filter element is disposed in the cup and may be permanently sealed to an interior surface thereof. The filter element subdivides the space within the cup into first and second chambers. The first chamber, the space within the filter element, is for the material from which a beverage may be made,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention allows for more coffee to be used in a single-serving beverage pod. It also allows for more brewed coffee or other beverage to flow through alternate channels in the pod. Additionally, it provides an extended tip region for adjusting the brewing characteristics of the beverage pod.

Problems solved by technology

However, as is well known to those who are in the business of producing and marketing coffee, the current single serving cartridges have insufficient volume of ground coffee to produce a hearty cup of brewed coffee with the current configuration.

In addition to there being an inadequate quantity of ground coffee, the flow of hot water through the cartridge tends to back up as small particles clog the bottom of the filter during the brewing process.

As the coffee brews there is a poor flow of the brewed liquid as the bottom of the filter, where the great bulk of the brewed liquid exits the first volume clogs.

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