Coated beverage tablets and methods of manufacturing same

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to beverage tablets and coatings thereof. The coatings provided may be food-safe and biodegradable (e.g., compostable). For example, in some cases, coatings provided herein include polysaccharides. Associated methods of preparing coatings with reduced water and energy waste are also provided. Coatings provided herein may provide a number of advantages including beverage ingredient preservation, beverage ingredient retention, and / or beverage tablet labeling. In some aspects, the use of oxygen scavengers in coatings as a beverage ingredient stabilizing agent is provided.

Description

COATED BEVERAGE TABLETS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application serial number 63 / 551,722, filed February 9, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are related to beverage tablets for use in forming beverages, and associated methods.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tablets of beverage ingredients can be used for forming a beverage. In some arrangements, such beverage tablets are mixed directly with hot water to form a beverage. In some arrangements, water is permitted to percolate through beverage tablets to form a beverage.SUMMARY

[0004] In a first aspect, a beverage tablet is provided. According to some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises: a beverage ingredient; and a coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient, wherein the coating comprises: a cross-linked polysaccharide, and an oxygen scavenger.

[0005] In another aspect, a beverage tablet is provided. According to some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises: a beverage ingredient; and a coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient; wherein the coating comprises a cross-linked polysaccharide; and wherein a penetration depth of the coating into the beverage ingredient is less than or equal to 200 microns.

[0006] In yet another aspect, a beverage tablet is provided. According to some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises: a beverage ingredient; and a powder coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient, wherein the powder coating comprises a powder comprising a polysaccharide.

[0007] In still another aspect, a method of making a beverage tablet is provided. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: forming a coating on a beverage ingredient by wetting a powder coating of the beverage ingredient that at least partially surrounds the beverage ingredient, wherein the wetting of the powder coating cross-links a polysaccharide of the powder coating to form the coating.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of making a beverage tablet is provided. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: a beverage ingredient; and a coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient, wherein the coating comprises an oxygen scavenger.

[0009] In still another aspect, a method is provided. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: capturing oxygen in a beverage tablet using an oxygen scavenger disposed in a coating, wherein the coating at least partially surrounds a beverage ingredient of the beverage tablet.

[0010] It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various nonlimiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0012] FIG. 1 provides a cross-sectional, schematic illustration of a beverage tablet comprising a coating, according to some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional, schematic illustration of a beverage tablet comprising a coating, according to some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional, schematic illustration of a beverage tablet comprising a coating, according to some embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 4 provides a perspective, schematic illustration of a beverage tablet comprising a coating, according to some embodiments; and

[0016] FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of a method of coating a beverage tablet, according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Preparation of single serving brewed beverages using beverage tablets is generally provided. Beverage tablets may be provided in individual packages and used with associated beverage machines to form a beverage. These beverage machines and single serving beverage tablets may allow a user to prepare a small quantity of a beverage, such as a single serving of a beverage. Users can use the same machine to prepare a wide range of different beverages quickly, without preparing or wasting unwanted quantities of the beverages. Improved beverage tablets that help preserve the quality of beverage ingredients and / or that further reduce the waste associated with beverage preparation are provided below, according to some embodiments.

[0018] As discussed in greater detail below, the inventors have recognized and appreciated that beverage tablets prepared using biodegradable coatings may, in some embodiments, retain all of the advantages of other single- serving beverage packages while reducing beverage ingredient packaging and / or waste resulting from the preparation of a beverage. According to embodiments disclosed herein, beverage ingredients may be portioned for use within a beverage machine without separate disposable packaging for each portion using beverage tablets. In some embodiments, the beverage tablets provided herein are provided with a coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient. The coating may provide any of a variety of advantages for labeling of beverage tablets, for retaining beverage ingredients within a beverage tablet, and / or for beverage ingredient preservation. The coating may be biodegradable, e.g., to further reduce waste and / or to make the beverage tablets compostable after use.

[0019] Generally, a beverage tablet provided herein is an article that comprises a beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises a solid body comprising a beverage ingredient. For example, one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet may be formed into a solid body by compression, adhesion, solidification in amold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients. However, according to some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises loose beverage ingredients that are not formed into a solid body. For example, the beverage tablet may comprise a coating configured to retain at least a portion of a beverage ingredient within the coating. The use of a rigid body in a beverage ingredient may provide any of a number of advantages, including greater ingredient density, brewing predictability, and tablet formability during manufacturing.

[0020] In one aspect, beverage tablets comprising coatings are provided. The coating of the beverage tablet may be configured to permit wetting and / or dissolution of beverage ingredients of a beverage tablet (e.g., may be pierceable by inlet needle(s), and / or may be permeable to beverage precursor liquid). Generally, the coating at least partially surrounds the beverage tablet, when present. In some embodiments, the coating completely surrounds the beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet and water passes through the coating during brewing. However, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet is only partially surrounded by the coating, and in such cases the coating may or may not permit transmission of water through the coating.

[0021] Beverage tablet coatings may provide any of a number of advantages for use in beverage tablets. For example, in some embodiments, a coating helps to keep one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet fresh (e.g., by helping to limit the amount of oxygen or water to which one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet are exposed), to mechanically support the beverage ingredient, to mark or label the beverage ingredient, or to retain the beverage ingredient within the beverage tablet (e.g., the coating may be configured to retain a residual beverage ingredient formed during brewing, or may be configured to retain a loose beverage ingredient, e.g. loose leaf tea, that has not been formed into a solid body). Depending on the application, it may be advantageous for the coating to completely surround the beverage ingredient, e.g., to provide improved retention or protection of the beverage ingredient. However, at least some of these advantages are available for coatings that only partially surround the beverage ingredient, and it may be advantageous to use a coating that only partially surrounds the beverage ingredient, e.g. to conserve coating materials or provide other benefit(s), depending on the application.

[0022] Generally, a coating of a beverage tablet comprises one or more coating materials. Coating materials may be selected to have one or more advantageous properties. For example, a coating material may be chosen to be food-safe, to be strong at relatively high temperatures, to allow the tablet to be transported without fracturing, to allow the tablet to be pierced (e.g., for passage of liquid water through the tablet) without fracturing, to be flexible to permit the tablet to be deformed without fracturing, , to have a desirable color, to have desirable thermal properties, or to be biodegradable (e.g., compostable).

[0023] A coating of a beverage tablet may comprise any of a variety of suitable materials. For example, the coating may comprise one or more food- safe materials. As another example, the coating may comprise one or more biodegradable (e.g., compostable) materials. According to some embodiments, a coating of a beverage tablet comprises a polysaccharide (e.g., a food-safe and / or a biodegradable polysaccharide). A polysaccharide generally comprises a polymerized sugar. The polysaccharide may be a natural polysaccharide, a synthetic modification of a natural polysaccharide, or a purely synthetic polysaccharide, depending on the embodiments. The polysaccharide may be a homopolysaccharide or a heteropolysaccharide. Any of a variety of suitable polysaccharides, including but not limited to cellulose, chitin, starch, glycogen, alginate (e.g., sodium alginate, calcium alginate), and galactogen may be used in a coating of a beverage tablet, depending on the embodiment. According to some embodiments, coatings comprising alginate have been identified as particularly useful, e.g., because alginate coating materials may provide favorable combinations of the advantageous coating properties described above.

[0024] A coating of a beverage tablet may include exactly one polysaccharide or may include a plurality of polysaccharides, depending on the embodiment. For example, according to some embodiments, the coating comprises exactly one polysaccharide coating the beverage tablet. As another example, according to some embodiments, the coating comprises a homogenized blend of two or more polysaccharides. To provide yet another example, in some embodiments, the coating comprises two or more unmixed polysaccharides. Unmixed polysaccharides of the coating may have any of a variety of different dispositions within the coating. For example, unmixed polysaccharides may be included in the coating in the form of two or more distinct layers of the coating, or in the form of a single, multi-phase composite layer. In some embodiments, the coating comprisesa multi-phase composite layer wherein a first polysaccharide forms a matrix, and the second polysaccharide is present in the matrix in the form of a dispersed phase such as fibers or particles. For example, in some embodiments, the coating comprises a composite of an alginate matrix and a second polysaccharide (e.g., starch). The second polysaccharide may provide mechanical support to the coating and / or may be a filler configured to dilute the alginate without degrading coating properties.

[0025] Polysaccharides may be present in a coating in any of a variety of suitable phases. For example, in some embodiments, a coating comprises a polysaccharide gel or a polysaccharide that is configured to form a gel when contacted with a liquid (e.g., water or an aqueous solution). A polysaccharide gel may have any of a variety of advantages for use in coatings of beverage tablets. For example, in some embodiments, a polysaccharide gel is water penetrable and maintains its structural integrity during brewing of the beverage tablet. Water penetrability and structural integrity at brewing temperatures may be advantageous properties of beverage tablets, particularly when present in combination. Of course, in some embodiments, the coating comprises a polysaccharide that is not a gel or a gel former. For example, the coating may comprise a solid polysaccharide (e.g., a crystalline or glassy polysaccharide), in some embodiments. As a specific, non-limiting example, in some embodiments, a coating comprises alginate, which is a gel-forming polysaccharide. The alginate may or may not be mixed with a second, solid polysaccharide such as starch.

[0026] A polysaccharide may be a cross-linked polysaccharide. Any of a variety of suitable cross-links may be used. For example, cross-links may be covalent or ionic. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide is cross-linked reversibly. For example, a polysaccharide may be reversibly, ionically cross-linked. In some embodiments, a polysaccharide is cross-linked using a cross-linking agent. Generally, a cross-linking agent is a chemical species that facilitates cross-linking, e.g., by chemically reacting to form a crosslink as part of a cross-linking reaction, or by catalyzing a cross-linking reaction. A crosslinking agent may be consumed during the cross-linking reaction, or may simply facilitate the reaction without undergoing a net chemical change.

[0027] In some embodiments, a cross-linking agent comprises an ionic cross-linker. The ionic cross -linker may be configured to react with the polysaccharide to form a crosslinked polysaccharide, e.g., by providing appropriate reaction conditions. For example, theionic cross-linker may be configured to form ionic cross-links in an aqueous environment under appropriate salt and / or pH conditions. The ionic cross-linker may comprise a salt. For example, the ionic cross-linker may comprise a salt comprising one or more multivalent ions. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, multivalent ions may be useful for ionic cross -linkers, since multivalent ions may form ionic bonds with multiple polysaccharides simultaneously. According to some embodiments, an ionic cross-linker comprises a multivalent cation. For example, according to some embodiments, a salt comprising a divalent cation may be particularly advantageous if used as a divalent ionic cross-linker. Any of a variety of suitable ionic cross-linkers may generally be used to crosslink a polysaccharide. For example, in some embodiments, a polysaccharide provided herein is cross-linked using an ionic cross-linker comprising calcium chloride, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium lactate, ferrous chloride, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, magnesium chloride, copper chloride, and / or magnesium sulfate. In particular, in some embodiments, calcium chloride is used. Calcium chloride may be a particularly advantageous cross-linker because all the byproducts of its use as a polysaccharide crosslinker are non-toxic and edible. However, any of a variety of suitable cross-linkers may generally be used, as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, a bivalent ion cross-linker may be used, e.g., in combination with a divalent ion to modulate the mechanical properties of the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, one or more additional agents, e.g., monovalent ions, may be used as competitive inhibitors of crosslinking agents. The one or more competitive inhibitors of cross-linking agents may be used to modulate the properties of the cross-linked polysaccharides. According to some embodiments, a plurality of cross-linking agents (e.g., calcium chloride and copper chloride) are used in combination, e.g., because the combination of cross-linking agents may result in a mixture of cross-links with different properties. The mixing of cross-linking agents provides another route for controlling mechanical properties of the polysaccharide, according to some embodiments.

[0028] In some embodiments, the coating comprises a polysaccharide that is not cross-linked. For example, a coating may comprise a composite of polysaccharides (e.g., a first polysaccharide matrix and a second polysaccharide phase dispersed in the firstpolysaccharide matrix), wherein a first polysaccharide is cross-linked while a second polysaccharide is not.

[0029] In some embodiments, an ionic cross-linker is a reversable cross-linker. Cross-links formed by the reversable ionic cross-linker may be reversed in any of a variety of suitable ways. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-linking may be reversed using an appropriate salt. To provide a specific example, in some embodiments, reversable crosslinks may be removed by using a salt comprising a monovalent cation (e.g., a sodium salt). The reversibility of the cross-links may be advantageous, e.g., to a biodegradation process (e.g., to a composting process).

[0030] Generally, a polysaccharide (e.g., a first polysaccharide) may be included in any of a variety of suitable proportions with respect to the coating. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet has a coating comprising a polysaccharide (e.g., a first polysaccharide) in an amount of greater than or equal to 30 wt%, greater than or equal to 40 wt%, greater than or equal to 50 wt%, greater than or equal to 60 wt%, greater than or equal to 70 wt%, greater than or equal to 80 wt%, or greater than or equal to 90 wt% versus the total weight of the coating. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet has a coating comprising a polysaccharide in an amount of less than or equal to 100 wt%, less than or equal to 90 wt%, less than or equal to 80 wt%, less than or equal to 70 wt%, less than or equal to 60 wt%, less than or equal to 50 wt%, or less than or equal to 40 wt% versus the total weight of the coating.Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 30 wt% and less than or equal to 100 wt%, greater than or equal to 50 wt% and less than or equal to 100 wt%, or greater than or equal to 70 wt% and less than or equal to 100 wt%). Other ranges are also possible.

[0031] A coating provided herein may comprise any of a variety of suitable additives. A coating additive may be a filler (e.g., that provides a cost advantage or structural support) or a functional additive such as a colorant or a stabilizing agent. One or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) additives may be included in a coating, according to some embodiments. It should, of course, be understood that while the following paragraphs discuss a number of additives (any or all of which may be used), additives not discussed herein may also be included in the coatings provided herein, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0032] A filler (e.g., a second polysaccharide, such as starch) may be included in the coating in any of a variety of suitable weight percentages versus the total weight of the coating. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet has a coating comprising a filler (e.g., a second polysaccharide filler) in an amount of greater than or equal to 0 wt%, greater than or equal to 5 wt%, greater than or equal to 10 wt%, greater than or equal to 15 wt%, or greater than or equal to 20 wt% versus the total weight of the coating. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet has a coating comprising a filler (e.g., a second polysaccharide filler) in an amount of less than or equal to 25 wt%, less than or equal to 20 wt%, less than or equal to 15 wt%, less than or equal to 10 wt%, or less than or equal to 5 wt% versus the total weight of the coating. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 0 wt% and less than or equal to 25 wt%, or greater than or equal to 5 wt% and less than or equal to 25 wt%). Other ranges are also possible.

[0033] Colorants may be used, in some embodiments, to color a coating of a beverage tablet. A coating of a beverage tablet may be coated for aesthetic or functional reasons. For example, colorants may be added to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the coating. As another example, colorants may be used to label or mark the coating (e.g., using a barcode, a QR code, or written text). A colorant may be added to a specific portion of a coating to mark the coating. According to some embodiments, a colorant may be used as a contrast agent. For example, the colorant may be uniformly distributed throughout the coating, but may be chosen to enhance the visual contrast that arises from topographic non-uniformity of a coating. Suitable contrast agents may be used, for example, to increase the opacity of a coating and / or to recolor the coating for improved visibility. The use of a colorant as a contrast agent may be beneficial, for example, if a coating is marked by shaping a topographically non-uniform mark. For example, a contrast agent may be used to improve the visibility of a mark formed by stamping, carving, etching, or molding the surface of the coating of the beverage tablet, according to some embodiments.

[0034] Any of a variety of colorants may be used. Non-limiting examples of suitable pigments that may be used include, but are not limited to, titanium oxide or calcium carbonate. According to some embodiments, a colorant used in a coating of a beverage tablet is a dye. Non-limiting examples of suitable dyes include, but are not limited to, turmeric, saffron, paprika, carrot oil, dried fruit juices, caramel, beta-carotene, cochineal extract, beetpowder, and annatto extract. In some embodiments, a beverage ingredient itself may be used as a colorant. For example, micro coffee or cocoa powder could be used to color a coating of a beverage tablet, depending on the embodiment. Colorants may be chosen to have any of a variety of properties suitable for use in beverage tablets. For example, colorants may be chosen to be flavorless, odorless, food-safe, water-insoluble, and / or edible, depending on the embodiment.

[0035] According to some embodiments, a coating comprises a stabilizing agent. For example, the coating may comprise an additive configured to reduce or prevent chemical reaction of a beverage ingredient prior to its use in a beverage. Generally, the stabilizing agent may serve any of a variety of suitable purposes, including stabilizing the beverage ingredient and / or reducing exposure of the beverage ingredient to one or more external compounds such as water or oxygen. In particular, the present disclosure recognizes the value of introducing oxygen scavengers as stabilizing agents, as discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein.

[0036] While polysaccharide coatings provide a number of advantages, as discussed in greater detail above, it should, of course, be understood that a beverage tablet provided herein may comprise a coating that does not comprise a polysaccharide. To provide a nonlimiting example, in some embodiments, a beverage tablet comprises a plurality of coatings including a first coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient of the beverage tablet and a second coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the first coating comprises a polysaccharide and the second coating does not comprise a polysaccharide. The first coating and the second coating may be non-overlapping, may partially overlap, or may totally overlap, depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments, the first coating and the second coating are used to perform different functions. For example, according to some embodiments, the first coating is used to retain and / or preserve the beverage ingredient, while the second coating is used to mark the beverage tablet.

[0037] Generally, a beverage tablet provided herein comprises a beverage ingredient. Any of a variety of beverage ingredients may be used. In some embodiments, a beverage ingredient is water insoluble. For example, a beverage ingredient may be water-infusible, such that upon contact with water, one or more components of the beverage ingredient isextracted into the water from the beverage ingredient, leaving a residual beverage ingredient. As a few, non-limiting examples of water-infusible beverage ingredients, in some embodiments a beverage ingredient comprises coffee tea (e.g., green tea, black tea, and / or any of a variety of other types of vegetation commonly referred to as teas or used as ingredients of teas, such as mint leaves, jasmine flowers, or dried fruit such as dried apples or citrus zest), cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, or chicory. According to some embodiments, a beverage ingredient is water soluble. A few, non-limiting examples of water-soluble beverage ingredients include, but are not limited to: instant coffee, sweeteners (e.g., sugar, honey, fructose, caramel), real or synthetic plant extracts (e.g., vanilla, hazelnut extract, mint extract). According to some embodiments, a beverage ingredient is partially water-insoluble but not water-infusible. For example, a beverage ingredient may be configured to form a suspension in a beverage without leaving a residual beverage ingredient. A few, non-limiting examples of beverage ingredients that are configured to form suspensions include, but are not limited to, creamers such as dairy creamers and non-dairy creamers.

[0038] A beverage tablet may generally comprise any of a variety of suitable beverage ingredients, e.g., depending on the beverage desired from the beverage tablet. In some embodiments a beverage tablet only includes a single beverage ingredient. For example, a beverage tablet containing only coffee could be used to prepare black coffee, or a beverage tablet containing only tea could be used to prepare unsweetened tea. However, according to some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises a plurality of ingredients such as the ingredients discussed above. By combining beverage ingredients within a single tablet, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet may be used to make multi-ingredient beverages.

[0039] A beverage tablet may comprise any of a variety of suitable beverage ingredients. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet comprises greater than or equal to 1 beverage ingredient, greater than or equal to 2 beverage ingredients, greater than or equal to 3 beverage ingredients, greater than or equal to 4 beverage ingredients, greater than or equal to 5 beverage ingredients, greater than or equal to 6 beverage ingredients, greater than or equal to 7 beverage ingredients, greater than or equal to 8 beverage ingredients, or greater than or equal to 9 beverage ingredients. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet comprises less than or equal to 10 beverage ingredients, less than or equal to 9 beverage ingredients, less than or equal to 8 beverage ingredients, less than or equal to 7 beverage ingredients, less than orequal to 6 beverage ingredients, less than or equal to 5 beverage ingredients, less than or equal to 4 beverage ingredients, less than or equal to 3 beverage ingredients, or less than or equal to 2 beverage ingredients. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 1 beverage ingredient and less than or equal to 10 beverage ingredients). Other ranges are also possible.

[0040] As discussed above, the beverage ingredients may be comprised by a body. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, in some embodiments, compressing one or more beverage ingredients into a body may serve to disrupt cellular matrix of the beverage ingredient. The inventors have found that, in some embodiments, disruption of cellular matrix of the beverage ingredient may help to increase extraction yield from the beverage ingredient, thereby improving the flavor of the beverage and / or the potency of the beverage ingredient.

[0041] To realize the benefits of the coatings described above, a beverage tablet provided herein is generally subjected to a coating method. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods of powder coating one or more of the coatings described above onto a beverage ingredient. The present disclosure recognizes that powder coating of a beverage ingredient can provide a number of advantages in comparison with alternative techniques, such as solution coating. For example, in some embodiments, the application of a powder coating may reduce water waste and / or energy waste associated with the coating process. For example, application of a wet liquid coating to a beverage tablet may require water solvent evaporation (e.g., water evaporation) in order to solidify the coating, and may result in unwanted and premature exposure of the beverage ingredient to liquid water. A powder coating technique as described in detail below may be used to reduce water requirements and to reduce or eliminate drying steps ordinarily associated with wet coating processes. For example, even if a liquid such as water is applied to the powder coating during making of the beverage tablet, the use of a powder coating may reduce the amount of liquid used for coating the beverage tablet by reducing or eliminating the need for water evaporation.

[0042] According to some embodiments, a beverage ingredient is powder coated to produce a powder coating that at least partially surrounds a beverage ingredient of a beverage tablet. The powder coating may subsequently be formed into a coating of the beverage tablet.The use of powder coatings may be particularly well-suited to the preparation of beverage tablets that comprise a body containing the beverage ingredient, since the body may support the powder coating before the powder coating has been formed into a coating of the beverage tablet.

[0043] A powder coating generally comprises one or more powders. The powder coating may include one or more of the coating ingredients described above. For example, in some embodiments, a powder coating comprises at least one polysaccharide described above. According to some embodiments, the powder coating comprises a cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent may be one of the cross-linking agents described above. For example, in some embodiments, the powder coating comprises a salt (e.g., a divalent salt) configured to reversibly cross-link the polysaccharide. On the other hand, in some embodiments, the powder coating does not include a cross-linking agent. Inclusion of the cross-linking agent in the powder coating is not a general requirement for forming a cross-linked coating using a powder coating. For example, a powder coating may, in some embodiments, be cross-linked by treating the powder coating with a cross-linking agent, as discussed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the powder coating comprises a filler (e.g., a second polysaccharide, as described above).

[0044] The various coating ingredients described above may be included in the powder coating in the form of separate, mixed powders. For example, the powder coating may include a first powder comprising a first polysaccharide (e.g., an alginate, such as sodium alginate), a second powder comprising a cross-linking agent (e.g., a divalent salt, such as calcium chloride) and, optionally, a third powder comprising a filler (e.g., a second polysaccharide, such as starch). Of course, it should also be understood that multiple coating ingredients may be present in the same powder (e.g., a homogeneous powder may be formed wherein the grains of the powder individually contain both coating ingredients), and that even a single-powder powder coating may comprise multiple coating ingredients, as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, a colorant is dispersed within a first powder of the powder coating.

[0045] The one or more powders of the powder coating may comprise particles sized appropriately for a powder coating process. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous for grains of a powder to have a size suitable for electrostatically coating the beverageingredient. In particular, in some embodiments, one or more powders has an average size that is small enough for electrostatic forces to secure the powder to the beverage tablet. For example, a first powder, a second powder, a third powder, and / or any other powder present in the powder coating may each independently have a grain size selected from within one of the following ranges. In some embodiments, a powder coating comprises particles of a powder having an average diameter of less than or equal to 150 microns, less than or equal to 140 microns, less than or equal to 130 microns, less than or equal to 120 microns, less than or equal to 110 microns, less than or equal to 100 microns, less than or equal to 90 microns, less than or equal to 80 microns, less than or equal to 70 microns, less than or equal to 60 microns, less than or equal to 50 microns, less than or equal to 40 microns, less than or equal to 30 microns, less than or equal to 20 microns, less than or equal to 10 microns, less than or equal to 5 microns, less than or equal to 2 microns, or less. In some embodiments, a powder coating comprises particles of a powder having an average diameter of greater than or equal to 1 micron, greater than or equal to 2 microns, greater than or equal to 5 microns, greater than or equal to 10 microns, greater than or equal to 20 microns, greater than or equal to 30 microns, greater than or equal to 40 microns, greater than or equal to 50 microns, greater than or equal to 60 microns, greater than or equal to 70 microns, greater than or equal to 80 microns, greater than or equal to 90 microns, greater than or equal to 100 microns, greater than or equal to 110 microns, greater than or equal to 120 microns, greater than or equal to 130 microns, or greater than or equal to 140 microns. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 1 micron and less than or equal to 150 microns, greater than or equal to 1 micron and less than or equal to 120 microns, or greater than or equal to 1 micron and less than or equal to 100 microns). Other ranges are also possible.

[0046] Different particle sizes may be appropriate for different powders, depending on the composition of the powders. For example, in some embodiments, a powder coating comprises a first powder whose particles comprise a polysaccharide, the particles of the first powder having an average diameter of less than or equal to 100 microns and a second powder whose particles comprise a cross-linking agent, the particles of the second powder having an average diameter of less than or equal to 150 microns. Other embodiments are also possible, of course, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0047] Any of a variety of suitable techniques may be used to apply a powder coating, as discussed in greater detail below. After application of the powder coating, in some embodiments the powder coating is treated to form a coating of the beverage tablet. For example, the powder coating may be treated to fuse the powder, to gel the powder, and / or to cross-link one or more ingredients (e.g., polysaccharides) of the powder coating to form the beverage tablet coating. In some embodiments, the powder coating is treated by applying an aqueous liquid to the powder coating. For example, the powder coating may be treated with pure water, or with an aqueous solution. According to some embodiments, the aqueous liquid at least partially dissolves one or more ingredients of the powder coating (e.g., a polysaccharide). The aqueous liquid may transport the dissolved ingredient from its original position to a new position within the powder coating, thereby fusing the grains of the powder coating, according to some embodiments. Fused grains of the powder coating may form the coating, or may form the matrix phase of a composite coating as discussed above.

[0048] The aqueous liquid may cross-link a polysaccharide of the powder coating. In some embodiments, the aqueous solution initiates a cross-linking reaction associated with one or more cross-linking agents present in the powder coating. For example, the water may dissolve a cross-linking agent (e.g., a salt), thereby facilitating a cross-linking reaction of the cross-linking agent with a polysaccharide of the powder coating. To provide a specific, nonlimiting example, in some embodiments the water is used to dissolve calcium chloride salt that, in turn, reversibly cross-links sodium alginate in the powder-coating. According to some embodiments, the aqueous liquid comprises a cross-linking agent. For example, in some embodiments the powder coating does not comprise a cross-linking agent, but the aqueous liquid includes a dissolved cross-linking agent (e.g., a dissolved salt) that activates cross-linking of the powder coating when the aqueous liquid is applied. Of course, other embodiments where cross-linking is not caused by addition of the aqueous liquid are also contemplated, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0049] Application of the aqueous liquid may cause gelation of the powder coating, in some embodiments. For example, according to some embodiments, the aqueous liquid at least partially dissolves a cross-linked ingredient, resulting in gel-formation. As another example, in some embodiments, dissolution of a powder coating ingredient by the aqueous liquid is associated with a cross-linking reaction that drives simultaneous cross-linking andgelation of the powder coating ingredient. Other embodiments are also possible, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0050] In some embodiments, a relatively low volume of the aqueous liquid is applied per gram of powder coating. In some embodiments, less than or equal to 200 mL, less than or equal to 190 mL, less than or equal to 180 mL, less than or equal to 170 mL, less than or equal to 160 mL, less than or equal to 150 mL, less than or equal to 140 mL, less than or equal to 130 mL, less than or equal to 120 mL, less than or equal to 110 mL, less than or equal to 100 mL, less than or equal to 90 mL, less than or equal to 80 mL, less than or equal to 70 mL, less than or equal to 60 mL, less than or equal to 50 mL, less than or equal to 40 mL, less than or equal to 30 mL, or less than or equal to 20 mL of aqueous liquid is used per gram of powder coating. In some embodiments, greater than or equal to 10 mL, greater than or equal to 20 mL, greater than or equal to 30 mL, greater than or equal to 40 mL, greater than or equal to 50 mL, greater than or equal to 60 mL, greater than or equal to 70 mL, greater than or equal to 80 mL, greater than or equal to 90 mL, greater than or equal to 100 mL, greater than or equal to 110 mL, greater than or equal to 120 mL, greater than or equal to 130 mL, greater than or equal to 140 mL, greater than or equal to 150 mL, greater than or equal to 160 mL, greater than or equal to 170 mL, greater than or equal to 180 mL, or greater than or equal to 190 mL of aqueous liquid is used per gram of powder coating. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 10 mL and less than or equal to 200 mL, or greater than or equal to 50 mL and less than or equal to 200 mL). Other ranges are also possible.

[0051] Coating a beverage tablet by a method provided herein may produce coatings with unique physical characteristics that may have certain advantages in the context of beverage tablets. For example, in some embodiments, a beverage tablet coated using a powder coating technique as described above may have a coating with a relatively low penetration depth into the beverage ingredient. Coatings with a relatively low penetration depth into the beverage ingredient may, advantageously, reduce an overlap area between the beverage ingredient and the coating, leaving more of the beverage ingredient’ s surface available for brewing.

[0052] A coating described herein may have any of a variety of suitable penetration depths into the beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, a coating provided hereinpenetrates less than or equal to 200 microns, less than or equal to 190 microns, less than or equal to 180 microns, less than or equal to 170 microns, less than or equal to 160 microns, less than or equal to 150 microns, less than or equal to 140 microns, less than or equal to 130 microns, less than or equal to 120 microns, less than or equal to 110 microns, less than or equal to 100 microns, less than or equal to 90 microns, less than or equal to 80 microns, less than or equal to 70 microns, less than or equal to 60 microns, less than or equal to 50 microns, less than or equal to 40 microns, or less than or equal to 30 microns into the beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, a coating provided herein penetrates greater than or equal to 20 microns, greater than or equal to 30 microns, greater than or equal to 40 microns, greater than or equal to 50 microns, greater than or equal to 60 microns, greater than or equal to 70 microns, greater than or equal to 80 microns, greater than or equal to 90 microns, greater than or equal to 100 microns, greater than or equal to 110 microns, greater than or equal to 120 microns, greater than or equal to 130 microns, greater than or equal to 140 microns, greater than or equal to 150 microns, greater than or equal to 160 microns, greater than or equal to 170 microns, greater than or equal to 180 microns, or greater than or equal to 190 microns into the beverage ingredient. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 20 microns and less than or equal to 200 microns, greater than or equal to 50 microns and less than or equal to 200 microns, or greater than or equal to 50 microns and less than or equal to 100 microns). Other ranges are also possible.

[0053] Penetration depth of the coating into the beverage ingredient may be measured, for example, by cross-sectional X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. The penetration depth of the coating may be estimated, in some embodiments, by measuring the thickness of a layer of the beverage tablet that has delaminated from the beverage ingredient portion of the tablet (e.g., since the delaminated layer may be assumed to be the coating). The thickness of the delaminated layer is visible in a CT image. In some embodiments, delamination of the coating may be mechanically induced (e.g., by gentle dropping or shaking of the beverage tablet) prior to CT imaging.

[0054] As discussed above, the coating at least partially surrounds the beverage ingredient. While in some embodiments, the coating completely surrounds the beverage ingredient, this is not strictly necessary, and there may be advantages associated with a coating that only partially surrounds the beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, acoating surrounds greater than or equal to 0%, greater than or equal to 10%, greater than or equal to 20%, greater than or equal to 30%, greater than or equal to 40%, greater than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 60%, greater than or equal to 70%, greater than or equal to 80%, or greater than or equal to 90% of the boundary of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, a coating surrounds less than or equal to 100%, less than or equal to 90%, less than or equal to 80%, less than or equal to 70%, less than or equal to 60%, less than or equal to 50%, less than or equal to 40%, less than or equal to 30%, less than or equal to 20%, or less than or equal to 10% of the boundary of the beverage tablet. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 0% and less than or equal to 100%, greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 90%, or greater than or equal to 22% and less than or equal to 50%). Other ranges are also possible.

[0055] The amount of the boundary of the beverage ingredient which is surrounded by the coating may differ for different embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the coating is designed to completely surround and contain the beverage ingredient. As another example, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet may comprise a coating that partially surrounds the beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, a coating partially surrounding the beverage ingredients could be used, for example, for the purpose of marking the beverage tablet.

[0056] A coating of the beverage tablet generally comprises at least one layer. The term “layer” generally refers to an arrangement of material that, when the material is laid flat, has a thickness dimension, a depth dimension that is perpendicular to the thickness dimension, and a width dimension that is perpendicular to both the thickness dimension and the depth dimension, where the lengths of each of the depth dimension and the width dimension are at least 3 times the length of the thickness dimension. In some embodiments, the length of the depth dimension of the layer is at least 5 times, at least 10 times, at least 25 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, at least 500 times, or at least 1000 times the length of the thickness dimension of the layer. In some embodiments, the length of the width dimension of the layer is at least 5 times, at least 10 times, at least 25 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, at least 500 times, or at least 1000 times the length of the thickness dimension of the layer. The width and depth dimensions of a layer define its major surfaces.

[0057] A beverage tablet coating may comprise a plurality of (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) layers, depending on the embodiments. Layers of the beverage tablet may be prepared by any of a variety of suitable methods, including the iterative making and treatment of powder coatings by methods provided herein. Each layer of the beverage tablet coating may independently have a composition as described herein. For example, every layer of the coating may have the same composition. It should, however, be understood that different layers of the coating may have different compositions as described herein, and that the person of ordinary skill could design single- or multi-layered coatings in order to achieve desired coating properties, depending on the embodiment.

[0058] A beverage tablet coating may have any of a variety of suitable thicknesses. In some embodiments, a coating of a coffee tablet has a thickness of greater than or equal to 20 microns, greater than or equal to 30 microns, greater than or equal to 40 microns, greater than or equal to 50 microns, greater than or equal to 60 microns, greater than or equal to 70 microns, greater than or equal to 80 microns, greater than or equal to 90 microns, greater than or equal to 100 microns, greater than or equal to 110 microns, greater than or equal to 120 microns, greater than or equal to 130 microns, greater than or equal to 140 microns, greater than or equal to 150 microns, greater than or equal to 160 microns, greater than or equal to 170 microns, greater than or equal to 180 microns, or greater than or equal to 190 microns. In some embodiments, a coating of a coffee tablet has a thickness of less than or equal to 200 microns, less than or equal to 190 microns, less than or equal to 180 microns, less than or equal to 170 microns, less than or equal to 160 microns, less than or equal to 150 microns, less than or equal to 140 microns, less than or equal to 130 microns, less than or equal to 120 microns, less than or equal to 110 microns, less than or equal to 100 microns, less than or equal to 90 microns, less than or equal to 80 microns, less than or equal to 70 microns, less than or equal to 60 microns, less than or equal to 50 microns, less than or equal to 40 microns, or less than or equal to 30 microns. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 20 microns and less than or equal to 200 microns, greater than or equal to 20 microns and less than or equal to 150 microns, greater than or equal to 20 microns and less than or equal to 50 microns, or greater than or equal to 20 microns and less than or equal to 80 microns). Other ranges are also possible.

[0059] As discussed above, in some embodiments a coating of a beverage tablet comprises a stabilizing agent. In the context of the present disclosure, certain advantages have been recognized for the use of oxygen scavengers in coatings of beverage tablets. Many beverage ingredients (e.g., coffee) are known to oxidize when exposed to ambient oxygen. Oxidation of beverage ingredients poses a particular problem in the context of beverage tablets, since coatings thick enough to totally prevent beverage ingredient oxidation can, in some cases, make it difficult to form a beverage from the beverage tablets. (It should be noted that thinner coatings may still be advantageous for the reduction, if not the outright prevention, of oxidation in beverage tablets — even if the coating does not comprise a stabilizing agent such as an oxygen scavenger.)

[0060] In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to using an oxygen scavenger in a coating of a beverage tablet. An oxygen scavenger is generally a species configured to capture oxygen. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the inclusion of an oxygen scavenger in a coating provided herein may result in the coating’s collection of oxygen that would otherwise reach the beverage ingredient. Thus, a coating ingredient comprising an oxygen scavenger may, in some cases, work as a more effective oxygen barrier than a coating without an oxygen scavenger.

[0061] Any of a variety of appropriate oxygen scavengers may be used, and the oxygen scavengers may function by any of a variety of suitable mechanisms. According to some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is a particulate oxygen scavenger embedded in the coating. The oxygen scavenger may, in some embodiments, be a non-particulate species (e.g., a species dissolved in or chemically bonded to another coating material). In some embodiments the oxygen scavenger is configured to chemically react with oxygen, e.g., by acting as a sacrificial reagent. According to some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is configured to physically capture the oxygen without chemical reaction. An oxygen scavenger may be an oxygen adsorbent, configured to trap oxygen on its surface via a physical adsorption mechanism, for example.

[0062] According to some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is a metal configured to chemically react with oxygen. The metal may be an elemental metal or an alloy, depending on the embodiment. For example, in some embodiments the oxygen scavengercomprises iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, aluminum, palladium, and / or titanium. In some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is elemental iron.

[0063] In some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is a high surface area material configured to physically adsorb oxygen. For example, in some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is a zeolite. Other examples of suitable oxygen scavengers that may be used include, but are not limited to, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and silica.

[0064] The oxygen scavenger may generally be added in any of a variety of suitable proportions. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet has a coating comprising an oxygen scavenger in an amount of greater than or equal to 0.50 wt%, greater than or equal to 0.75 wt%, greater than or equal to 1.00 wt%, greater than or equal to 1.25 wt%, greater than or equal to 1.50 wt%, or greater than or equal to 1.75 wt% versus the total weight of the coating. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet has a coating comprising an oxygen scavenger in an amount of less than or equal to 2.00 wt%, less than or equal to 1.75 wt%, less than or equal to 1.50 wt%, less than or equal to 1.25 wt%, less than or equal to 1.00 wt%, or less than or equal to 0.75 wt% versus the total weight of the coating. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 0.50 wt% and less than or equal to 2.00 wt%, or greater than or equal to 1.00 wt% and less than or equal to 2.00 wt%). Other ranges are also possible.

[0065] The oxygen scavenger may be chosen to have any of a variety of suitable properties. For example, the oxygen scavenger may be chosen to be flavorless, odorless, food- safe, water- insoluble, and / or edible, depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is designed to remain embedded in the coating during preparation of a beverage. For example, the oxygen scavenger may be chosen to remain insoluble and embedded within the coating during brewing of a beverage. After the beverage is formed, the coating with embedded oxygen scavenger may remain behind, and may be discarded. According to some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger is configured to dissolve during brewing of a beverage (e.g., to dissolve into the beverage).

[0066] An oxygen scavenger may be particularly useful when incorporated into a coating that completely surrounds the beverage ingredient, e.g., because oxygen that contacts the beverage ingredient must first penetrate the coating comprising the oxygen scavenger. However, use of an oxygen scavenger in a coating that only partially surrounds the beverageingredient may still offer advantages. For example, beverage tablets may be packaged and, in some embodiments, the oxygen scavenger in a coating partly surrounding the beverage tablet may remove ambient oxygen from the container, thereby reducing a rate of oxidation of the beverage ingredient.

[0067] Any of a variety of other stabilizing agents may also be used in a beverage tablet coating, as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments the beverage tablet coating comprises a water scavenger configured to capture ambient humidity that might otherwise contact the beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, an above- mentioned oxygen scavenger is also a water scavenger. It should, of course, be understood that inclusion of a water scavenger in a coating of a beverage ingredient does not generally prevent liquid water from contacting the beverage ingredient.

[0068] A beverage tablet may be designed to withstand a variety of ambient conditions associated, for instance, with preparing a beverage. For example, in some embodiments a beverage tablet comprises coffee, and is configured to withstand temperatures, pressures, and water flow-rates suitable for the brewing of coffee. The coatings and coating ingredients described herein may be configured to withstand these sorts of challenging ambient conditions (e.g., by choosing appropriate materials, thicknesses, and cross-linking conditions).

[0069] During beverage formation, a beverage tablet provided herein may be configured to remain intact (e.g., avoid rupture and / or bursting) when subjected to any of a variety of suitable pressures for preparing a beverage. In some embodiments, during beverage formation, a beverage tablet is configured to remain intact when subjected to a pressure of greater than or equal to 10 PSI, greater than or equal to 20 PSI, greater than or equal to 30 PSI, greater than or equal to 40 PSI, greater than or equal to 50 PSI, greater than or equal to 60 PSI, greater than or equal to 70 PSI, greater than or equal to 80 PSI, greater than or equal to 90 PSI, greater than or equal to 100 PSI, greater than or equal to 110 PSI, greater than or equal to 120 PSI, greater than or equal to 130 PSI, or greater than or equal to 140 PSI. In some embodiments, during beverage formation, a beverage tablet is configured to remain intact when subjected to a pressure of less than or equal to 150 PSI, less than or equal to 140 PSI, less than or equal to 130 PSI, less than or equal to 120 PSI, less than or equal to 110 PSI, less than or equal to 100 PSI, less than or equal to 90 PSI, less than or equalto 80 PSI, less than or equal to 70 PSI, less than or equal to 60 PSI, less than or equal to 50 PSI, less than or equal to 40 PSI, less than or equal to 30 PSI, or less than or equal to 20 PSI. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 10 PSI and less than or equal to 150 PSI). Other ranges are also possible.

[0070] During beverage formation, a beverage tablet provided herein may be configured to remain intact when subjected to any of a variety of suitable temperatures for preparing a beverage. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet is configured to remain intact when subjected to a temperature of greater than or equal to 0 °C, greater than or equal to 10 °C, greater than or equal to 20 °C, greater than or equal to 30 °C, greater than or equal to 40 °C, greater than or equal to 50 °C, greater than or equal to 60 °C, greater than or equal to 70 °C, greater than or equal to 80 °C, greater than or equal to 90 °C, or greater than or equal to 100 °C. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet is configured to be remain intact when subjected to a temperature of less than or equal to 110 °C, less than or equal to 100 °C, less than or equal to 90 °C, less than or equal to 80 °C, less than or equal to 70 °C, less than or equal to 60 °C, less than or equal to 50 °C, less than or equal to 40 °C, less than or equal to 30 °C, less than or equal to 20 °C, or less than or equal to 10 °C. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 0 °C and less than or equal to 110 °C, greater than or equal to 100 °C and less than or equal to 110 °C, or greater than or equal to 20 °C and less than or equal to 100 °C). Other ranges are also possible.

[0071] A beverage tablet provided herein may be configured to undergo a beverage formation process (e.g., at a foregoing temperature or pressure) for any of a variety of suitable periods of time. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet is configured to undergo a beverage formation process for greater than or equal to 0.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 1 minute, greater than or equal to 1.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 2 minutes, greater than or equal to 2.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 3 minutes, greater than or equal to 3.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 4 minutes, greater than or equal to 4.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 5 minutes, greater than or equal to 5.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 6 minutes, greater than or equal to 6.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 7 minutes, greater than or equal to 7.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 8 minutes, greater than or equal to 8.5 minutes, greater than or equal to 9 minutes, or greater than or equal to 9.5 minutes. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet is configured to undergo a beverage formation process for less than or equalto 10 minutes, less than or equal to 9.5 minutes, less than or equal to 9 minutes, less than or equal to 8.5 minutes, less than or equal to 8 minutes, less than or equal to 7.5 minutes, less than or equal to 7 minutes, less than or equal to 6.5 minutes, less than or equal to 6 minutes, less than or equal to 5.5 minutes, less than or equal to 5 minutes, less than or equal to 4.5 minutes, less than or equal to 4 minutes, less than or equal to 3.5 minutes, less than or equal to 3 minutes, less than or equal to 2.5 minutes, less than or equal to 2 minutes, less than or equal to 1.5 minutes, or less than or equal to 1 minute. Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 0.5 minutes and less than or equal to 10 minutes, greater than or equal to 1 minute and less than or equal to 5 minutes, or greater than or equal to 2 minutes and less than or equal to 4 minutes). Other ranges are also possible.

[0072] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet is configured to be broken during a beverage formation process. The inventors have recognized that, in some embodiments, providing breakage of a beverage tablet into a plurality of pieces may be useful in yielding efficient extraction, brewing, and dispensing of the beverage product. The inventors have also recognized that the existence of at least one void in the beverage tablet may be useful in providing an engagement point for interfacing with a beverage machine to assist in the breakage of the tablet.

[0073] In view of the above, in some embodiments, the inventors have found that it may be beneficial to provide breakage of a beverage tablet into a plurality of pieces to allow for increased water diffusion through the beverage ingredient of the tablet. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet may be broken into 4 pieces, 8 pieces, 12 pieces, or 24 pieces. While these specified amounts of tablet pieces are disclosed, the beverage tablet may be broken into any suitable number of pieces to provide different extraction yields of the beverage product as the disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0074] The inventors have also appreciated that extraction yields can be varied to provide different beverage experiences to the end user. For example, a desired “strength” of coffee may be achieved by breaking the tablet into more or less pieces during a beverage formation process. In some embodiments, a beverage tablet may be broken into a specified number of pieces to provide a beverage product with a set of desired sensory attributes such as espresso, drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, or other suitable beverage types. Such beveragetablets may comprise a single ingredient or a plurality of ingredients to provide varying beverage results following forming of the beverage.

[0075] The inventors have also found that providing breakage of a beverage tablet into a plurality of pieces may be beneficial to expedite the beverage forming process so that a beverage may be formed in a decreased amount of time. In some embodiments, a beverage may be formed in 5 minutes or less, 4 minutes or less, 3 minutes or less, 2 minutes or less, 90 seconds or less, 60 seconds or less, or any other suitable beverage forming time.

[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the inventors have recognized that providing a beverage tablet with at least one void having a finite order of rotational symmetry may be beneficial to provide a point of engagement for use in breakage of the tablet. For example, the void may be non-circular.

[0077] In some embodiments, at least one void in a beverage tablet can be configured to be interfaced with a beverage machine to provide breakage of the tablet. For example, the beverage machine may have one or more posts sized to be received in the void(s) of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the tablet may have only one void. The void may be of a shape having a finite order of rotational symmetry (e.g., non-circular), which can be beneficial to provide traction between the post of the beverage machine and the void of the tablet.

[0078] In some embodiments, void shapes may include, but are not limited to: squares, rectangles, ovals, triangles, trapezoids, rhombuses, crescents, ellipses, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, regular polygons, irregular polygons, serpentine shapes, or any other suitable shape having a finite order of rotational symmetry. In some embodiments, the void may be of a concave or convex shape as the disclosure is not limited in this regard. In some embodiments, the post may be actuated as it is interfaced with the void having a finite order of rotational symmetry, resulting in breakage of the tablet. In some embodiments, the at least one void may have a shape with rotational symmetry of order one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any other suitable number. As an example, a shape having a rotational symmetry of order two means that the shape looks like its original orientation twice after a full 360 degree rotation. A shape having a rotational symmetry of order three means that the shape looks like its original orientation three times after a full 360degree rotation. A shape having a rotational symmetry of order one means that the shape looks like its original orientation only once after a full 360 degree rotation.

[0079] In some embodiments where only a single void is used, providing the single void with a shape that is of a non-finite order of rotational symmetry (e.g. a non-circular shape) may allow for a post to avoid spinning freely within the void when the post is rotated to break the tablet. However, it should be appreciated that the voids of the tablet need not be non-circular in all embodiments.

[0080] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the tablet may have a shape that has a finite order of rotational symmetry (e.g., non-circular). In some embodiments, outer wall shapes may include, but are not limited to: squares, rectangles, ovals, triangles, trapezoids, rhombuses, crescents, ellipses, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, regular polygons, irregular polygons, serpentine shapes, or any other suitable shape having a finite order of rotational symmetry. In other embodiments, however, the outer wall of the tablet may have a circular shape.

[0081] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet is configured to be pierced and injected with a beverage precursor liquid during a beverage formation process. The beverage tablet may be configured to remain intact during piercing and infusion. Under some such embodiments, the beverage precursor liquid (e.g., water) is flowed through the beverage tablet and is infused with the beverage ingredient(s) of the beverage tablet, exiting the beverage tablet as a prepared beverage. As discussed in greater detail below, the beverage tablet may be configured to be retained in a beverage machine such that a majority of the beverage precursor liquid cannot bypass the beverage tablet and must instead flow through the tablet to produce the beverage. For example, the beverage machine may form a seal against the beverage tablet during beverage formation. In some embodiments, a beverage precursor liquid may percolate through a beverage tablet without piercing the tablet. For example, in some embodiments, a beverage tablet is configured to permit passage of the aqueous liquid through a gelled and / or porous coating of the beverage tablet.

[0082] The beverage tablet may have various physical properties amenable to its use in directing the flow of aqueous liquid through the beverage ingredient. For example, in some embodiments the beverage tablet is configured to deform, elastically or plastically, in the beverage machine in order to form a seal against the beverage machine. Depending onthe embodiment, a coating of a beverage tablet may be formed from one or more materials capable of deforming with the beverage tablet without rupturing. Of course, the beverage tablet could also be appropriately shaped to form a seal without need for substantial deformation, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0083] In some embodiments, a beverage machine may include a brew chamber configured to receive a beverage tablet. The brew chamber may have a tablet-receiving receptacle. The brew chamber receptacle may have a defined interior volume and may include a wall. The brew chamber may be of any suitable shape, size, or other characteristic for use in receiving a corresponding beverage tablet disclosed herein. The brew chamber receptacle may also include an open end and a base.

[0084] In some embodiments, the brew chamber may include at least one post configured to receive at least one void of a beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the at least one post may be actuated to provide breakage of the tablet into a number of pieces. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may rest on the at least one post as the tablet is broken.

[0085] In some embodiments, a brew chamber may include a brew chamber lid. The lid may be moveable between an open position and closed position. In the closed position, the brew chamber lid may enclose a beverage tablet within the brew chamber. The brew chamber lid may be configured to be interfaced with an open end of the brew chamber receptacle during the beverage forming process. The brew chamber lid may further include at least one post configured to receive at least one void of a beverage tablet. In such a configuration, the at least one post may be actuated to provide breakage of the tablet into a plurality of pieces.

[0086] In some embodiments, both the brew chamber receptacle and the brew chamber lid may each include at least one post configured to receive at least one void of a beverage tablet. In other embodiments, however, only one of the brew chamber receptacle or the brew chamber lid may include at least one post configured to receive at least one void of a beverage tablet.

[0087] Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually and / or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.

[0088] FIG. 1 presents a schematic, cross-sectional illustration of a beverage tablet 101 comprising a beverage ingredient 103 compacted to form a body, as shown. The beverage tablet further comprises coating 105, which completely surrounds beverage ingredient 103, as shown. Coating 105 may have a composition as described above. For example, coating 105 may comprise a cross-linked polysaccharide, an oxygen scavenger, and / or a filler, as discussed in greater detail above.

[0089] FIG. 2 presents a schematic, cross-sectional illustration of a beverage tablet 201 comprising a beverage ingredient 203 that has not been compacted to form a body. For example, beverage ingredient 203 may comprise a leaf-tea that has not been compacted and that is configured to be retained by a coating 205 of the beverage tablet, as shown. Coating 205, completely surrounds beverage ingredient 203, as shown, and may have a composition as described above.

[0090] FIG. 3 presents a schematic, cross-sectional illustration of a beverage tablet 301 comprising a beverage ingredient 303 compacted to form a body, as shown. The beverage tablet further comprises coating 305, which only partially surrounds beverage ingredient 303, as shown. Coating 305 may have a composition as described above.

[0091] The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a beverage tablet 400 at least partially surrounded by coating 407. Coating 407 may be marked (e.g., with a marking to identify the beverage tablet). Beverage tablet 400 comprises a compacted beverage ingredient 405. Beverage tablet 400 has a body 403 and an outer wall 402. Body 403 and / or outer wall 402 may be made of beverage ingredients. Beverage tablet 400 is depicted with a void 401, however it should be understood that in other embodiments, the tablet may not have a void. As shown in FIG. 4, the void may be of a symmetric shape, such as an oval, but other shapes are also possible. As discussed above, the void in the beverage tablet may be useful in providing an engagement point for interfacing with a beverage machine to assist in the breakage of the tablet.

[0092] FIG. 5 presents a schematic illustration of a non-limiting method 500 of coating a beverage tablet, according to some embodiments. In a first step 551, a powder coating 515 is applied to a beverage ingredient 503. Any of a variety of suitable techniques may be used to apply a powder coating. In some embodiments, the powder coating is applied electrostatically. For example, the powder coating may be applied by electrostaticallycharging the surface of the beverage ingredient and (subsequently or concurrently) applying the powder. As another example, in some embodiments the powder may be applied by tumbling the beverage ingredient in a powder bed (e.g., a fluidized powder bed or a cascading powder bed). In some embodiments, the powder coating may be applied using multiple powder coating steps (e.g., multiple electrostatic powder coating applications, multiple beverage ingredient tumbling steps, or various combinations of electrostatic powder coating and tumbling steps). Other powder coating processes are also possible, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0093] The powder coating may surround any of a variety of suitable proportions of the beverage tablet. For example, one or more of the powder coating materials provided herein may be powder coated onto the beverage ingredient to form a powder coating surrounding greater than or equal to 0%, greater than or equal to 10%, greater than or equal to 20%, greater than or equal to 30%, greater than or equal to 40%, greater than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 60%, greater than or equal to 70%, greater than or equal to 80%, or greater than or equal to 90% of the surface area of the tablet. In some embodiments, one or more of the powder coating materials provided herein may be powder coated onto the beverage ingredient to form a powder coating surrounding less than or equal to 100%, less than or equal to 90%, less than or equal to 80%, less than or equal to 70%, less than or equal to 60%, less than or equal to 50%, less than or equal to 40%, less than or equal to 30%, less than or equal to 20%, or less than or equal to 10% of the surface area of the tablet.Combinations of these ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 0% and less than or equal to 100%, greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 100%, or greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 90%). Other ranges are also possible.

[0094] In a next step 553, an aqueous liquid (represented as dashed streams 575 emanating from liquid source 579) is applied to powder coating 515 to wet powder coating 515. The aqueous liquid may be applied using any of a variety of suitable methods familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. The method of application of the aqueous liquid may be chosen, for example, to limit the application of the aqueous liquid to the coating, in order to avoid using excessive aqueous liquid, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for evaporation of excess water. For example, in some embodiments, the aqueous liquid is applied by misting, spraying, or moisture vapor depositing the aqueous liquid onto thepowder coating. Finally, in step 555, wetted coating 515 is cured to form coating 505 of beverage tablet 501. The coating 505 may be formed by one or more curing mechanisms as described in greater detail above.

[0095] It should, of course, be understood that although method 500 offers a number of advantages for coating beverage tablets, as described in greater detail above, any of a variety of other methods may be used to coat a beverage tablet as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0096] While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

[0097] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A beverage tablet, comprising: a beverage ingredient; and a coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient, wherein the coating comprises: a cross-linked polysaccharide, and an oxygen scavenger.

2. A beverage tablet, comprising: a beverage ingredient; and a coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient; wherein the coating comprises a cross-linked polysaccharide; and wherein a penetration depth of the coating into the beverage ingredient is less than or equal to 200 microns.

3. A beverage tablet, comprising: a beverage ingredient; and a powder coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient, wherein the powder coating comprises a powder comprising a polysaccharide.

4. A method of making a beverage tablet, the method comprising: forming a coating on a beverage ingredient by wetting a powder coating of the beverage ingredient that at least partially surrounds the beverage ingredient, wherein the wetting of the powder coating cross-links a polysaccharide of the powder coating to form the coating.

5. A beverage tablet, comprising: a beverage ingredient; anda coating at least partially surrounding the beverage ingredient, wherein the coating comprises an oxygen scavenger.

6. A method, comprising: capturing oxygen in a beverage tablet using an oxygen scavenger disposed in a coating, wherein the coating at least partially surrounds a beverage ingredient of the beverage tablet.

7. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage ingredient comprises coffee.

8. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage ingredient comprises tea.

9. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polysaccharide is alginate.

10. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the powder coating comprises particles comprising the polysaccharide and having a diameter of less than or equal to 100 microns.

11. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the powder coating comprises particles comprising a cross-linking agent and the particles have a diameter of less than or equal to 150 microns.

12. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the powder coating comprises particles comprising a salt.

13. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polysaccharide is a first polysaccharide and wherein the coating comprises a second polysaccharide.

14. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second polysaccharide is starch.

15. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the powder coating comprises particles comprising the second polysaccharide.

16. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating is configured to be pierced by an inlet needle of a beverage machine to permit injection of beverage precursor liquid into the beverage tablet.

17. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating is configured to remain intact when subjected to a pressure of greater than or equal to 140 PSI.

18. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating is configured to remain intact at a temperature of greater than or equal to 100 °C.

19. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises a metal or zeolite.

20. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises a metal.

21. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal is an elemental metal or a metal alloy.

22. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal comprises iron.

23. The beverage tablet or method of claim 22, wherein the metal is iron.

24. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the oxygen scavenger is also a water scavenger.

25. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating at least partially surrounds a body comprising the beverage ingredient.

26. The beverage tablet or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage tablet comprises a body comprising the beverage ingredient.

27. A sealed package containing the beverage tablet of any one of the preceding claims.