Reusable beverage cartridge

Abstract

A reusable beverage cartridge for use in a beverage machine is disclosed. In some embodiments, the reusable beverage cartridge is configured to be sealed off from a cartridge chamber of the beverage machine up to a pressure of at least 15 psi. In some embodiments, a lid of the reusable beverage cartridge is contoured, with a recessed center portion. In some embodiments, the reusable beverage cartridge includes an outer cup and an inner cup, with the inner cup configured to rest on a ledge of the outer cup to suspend the inner cup above a bottom of the outer cup. In some embodiments, the lid is configured to create a clearance between the inner cup and the outer cup which is less than 600 microns. In some embodiments, the inner cup includes a recessed portion.

Description

K0502.70263WQ00- 1 -REUSABLE BEVERAGE CARTRIDGECROSS-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 / 697,206, filed September 20, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The field relates to beverage cartridges for use in beverage machines.BACKGROUND

[0003] Beverage cartridges for use in beverage forming systems that use a liquid, such as water, to form a beverage are well known. For example, U.S. Patent 8,361,527 discloses a beverage forming system that uses a beverage cartridge containing a beverage material to make a beverage by introducing liquid into the cartridge.SUMMARY

[0004] In some embodiments, a reusable beverage cartridge configured to be received into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine is disclosed. The reusable beverage cartridge comprises an outer cup. The outer cup comprises an outer cup bottom, an outer cup top, an outer cup sidewall extending between the outer cup bottom and the outer cup top, and a cartridge outlet. The reusable beverage cartridge also comprises an inner cup configured to be received into the outer cup. The inner cup comprises an inner cup bottom, an inner cup top, an inner cup sidewall extending between the inner cup bottom and the inner cup top, and a recessed portion disposed in the inner cup bottom and configured to align with the cartridge outlet when the inner cup is received into the outer cup.

[0005] In some embodiments, a reusable beverage cartridge configured to be received into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine is disclosed. The reusable beverage cartridge comprises an outer cup, and inner cup, and a lid. The outer cup comprises an outer cup bottom, an outer cup top, and an outer cup sidewall extending between the outer cup bottom and the outer cup top. The inner cup is permeable by liquid and configured to be received intoK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxthe outer cup. The inner cup comprises an inner cup bottom, an inner cup top comprising an inner cup perimeter portion, and inner cup sidewall extending between the inner cup bottom and the inner cup top. The lid is configured to sealingly engage with the outer cup. The lid comprises an internal side configured to be exposed to an internal volume of the outer cup when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup, the internal side comprising a lid interior perimeter portion. A clearance between the inner cup perimeter portion and the lid interior perimeter portion is no more than 600 microns.

[0006] In some embodiments, a reusable beverage cartridge configured to be received into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine is disclosed. The reusable beverage cartridge comprises a cup and a lid. The cup comprises a cup bottom, a cup top, and cup sidewall extending between the cup bottom and the cup top. The lid is configured to sealingly engage with the cup. The lid comprises an exterior face with a perimeter portion, a center portion recessed into the lid relative to the perimeter portion, and a transition portion between the perimeter portion and the center portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, a method of forming a beverage with a reusable beverage cartridge is disclosed. The method comprising inserting a beverage ingredient into an inner cup of the reusable beverage cartridge, inserting the inner cup into an outer cup of the reusable beverage cartridge, inserting the outer cup into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine, sealing a surface of the outer cup against a seal of a chamber outlet of the cartridge chamber, introducing a precursor ingredient into the inner cup to form a beverage with the beverage ingredient, and dispensing the beverage through the chamber outlet via a cartridge outlet.

[0008] 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

[0009] 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 figuresK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxmay be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a reusable beverage cartridge according to an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1 partially loaded into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1 fully loaded into the cartridge chamber of the beverage machine of FIG. 3;

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a first partial side section view of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 7 shows a second partial side section view of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 8 shows a perspective cross sectional view of an outer cup of the reusable beverage cartridge of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] As discussed above, disposable cartridges containing beverage ingredients for use in beverage machines are well known. These beverage machines often include a cartridge chamber configured to hold the disposable cartridge, a chamber inlet assembly to introduce a precursor ingredient (e.g. water) into the disposable cartridge to form a beverage, and a chamber outlet assembly configured to allow the formed beverage to exit the disposable cartridge and be dispensed from the beverage machine. The chamber inlet and outlet assemblies generally include piercing mechanisms configured to pierce the disposable cartridge to fluidly connect the chamber inlet and outlet assemblies to the beverage cartridge. Such beverage machines often also include a bypass outlet configured to allow liquid in the cartridge chamber to bypass the outlet assembly and be dispensed from the beverage machine. Such bypass outlets are generally used to prepare a conditioned precursor ingredient (e.g. hot water) without the use of a disposable cartridge.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

[0019] The chamber inlet and outlet assemblies may also include seal(s) (e.g. gaskets) configured to seal against the disposable cartridge. Such a configuration prevents the formed beverage from flowing into the cartridge chamber and through the bypass outlet, instead only allowing for flow of the formed beverage through the chamber outlet assembly. This may be desirable to allow for conditioning of the beverage with a conditioning mechanism downstream of the cartridge chamber. This may also be desirable to allow for the beverage to be formed at a higher pressure than a maximum pressure of the cartridge chamber.

[0020] Many beverage cartridges are single-use, and are disposed of after use. The inventors have appreciated that users may desire the option to form a beverage using a reusable cartridge rather than a disposable cartridge. This may, for example, allow the user greater flexibility in choosing the beverage ingredient they use.

[0021] The inventors have recognized that conventional reusable cartridges possess several drawbacks. Some conventional reusable cartridges require removal of the cartridge chamber and / or replacing the cartridge chamber with a different cartridge chamber. Such reusable beverage cartridges may not be compatible with all beverage machines which use the conventional disposable cartridges, and may not be able to utilize any downstream conditioning mechanisms.

[0022] Some other conventional reusable cartridges are not sealed off from the cartridge chamber, and thus simply flow out of the bypass outlet. This may prevent the formed beverage from being conditioned in any downstream conditioning mechanism, and may limit the maximum pressure of the formed beverage to the maximum pressure achievable using the bypass outlet. Additionally, using a reusable cartridge which is not sealed off from the cartridge chamber may result in exceeding a maximum seal pressure of the cartridge chamber, (e.g. between a cartridge chamber receptacle and a cartridge chamber lid) resulting in leakage.

[0023] The inventors have therefore recognized an advantage to a reusable beverage cartridge which is configured to be sealed off from the cartridge chamber when the reusable cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber. Such a configuration may allow for higher pressure beverage forming processes in the reusable cartridge. Such a configuration may also allow for the usage of downstream conditioning mechanisms even when the beverage machine includes a bypass outlet.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

[0024] In some embodiments, a reusable beverage cartridge includes an outer cup with a cartridge outlet, and a lid with a cartridge inlet. The lid may be configured to sealingly engage with the outer cup. Additionally, the cartridge inlet and outlet may be configured to receive inlet and outlet piercing mechanisms (e.g. one or more inlet needles and one or more outlet needles) of chamber inlet and outlet assemblies, and may seal against chamber inlet and outlet assemblies when loaded into the cartridge chamber.

[0025] In some embodiments, the reusable beverage cartridge includes an inner cup configured to be disposed in the outer cup. The inner cup may include permeable portion(s) in an inner cup bottom and / or inner cup sidewall(s) which allow the formed beverage to flow from the inner cup to the outer cup and to the cartridge outlet, but prevent the passage of solid beverage ingredient (e.g. coffee grinds, tea leaves, etc.). Such a configuration may decrease the likelihood of solid beverage ingredient becoming clogged in the outlet assembly of the beverage machine.

[0026] In some embodiments, the inner cup includes a flange configured to hang from a ledge of the outer cup to suspend the inner cup bottom above an outer cup bottom in order to create a flow path along the outer cup bottom to the cartridge outlet. In some embodiments, the flange extends from an inner cup top. In some embodiments, the inner cup bottom rests on ledge(s) or project! on(s) extending from the outer cup into an interior portion of the outer cup in order to maintain the flow path along the outer cup bottom.

[0027] In some embodiments, the inner cup sidewall(s) and inner cup bottom may extend proximal to the outer cup sidewall(s) and outer cup bottom in order to increase an inner cup volume, while still maintaining flow path(s) between cup bottoms and / or cup sidewall(s). Such a configuration may be desirable to allow the inner cup to hold more beverage ingredient to allow for larger and / or stronger formed beverages. The inner cup may also include a recessed portion configured to accommodate the outlet piercing mechanism of the beverage machine. Such a configuration may allow for an increased inner cup volume while also ensuring compatibility with conventional beverage machines.

[0028] In some embodiments, the outer cup includes project! on(s) extending from the outer cup bottom and / or the other cup sidewall, and configured to be received into the recessed portion when the inner cup is loaded into the outer cup. The project! on(s) may be positioned to align the recessed portion with the cartridge outlet. Such a configuration mayK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxensure that the outlet piercing mechanism is received into the recessed portion of the inner cup through the cartridge outlet when the reusable cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber of the beverage machine, preventing damage to the outlet piercing mechanism and to the inner cup.

[0029] The recessed portion may be positioned in the inner cup in any suitable position to ensure compatibility with a desired beverage machine. For instance, many beverage machines have the outlet piercing mechanism offset from a center axis of the cartridge chamber, so the recessed portion of the inner cup may also be offset from a center axis of the inner cup. In some embodiments, the recessed portion is disposed at a position where the inner cup bottom and the inner cup sidewall(s) meet.

[0030] As discussed above, it may be desirable for the lid to seal against the chamber inlet assembly in order to allow the reusable cartridge to reach the desired beverage forming pressure, and to ensure that the beverage is routed through the chamber outlet assembly. It may also be desirable for the reusable cartridge to be compatible with different chamber inlet assemblies of different beverage machines. The inventors have therefore recognized an advantage to contouring an exterior face of the lid to include a perimeter portion, a center portion, and a transition portion between the center portion and the transition portion. The center portion may be recessed relative to the perimeter portion, and the transition portion may be sloped or curved to join the center portion to the perimeter portion. Such a configuration may allow for a seal between the lid and the chamber inlet assembly of beverage machines with different styles if chamber inlet assemblies.

[0031] As discussed above, it may be desirable to decrease the transfer of solid beverage ingredient from the inner cup to the outer cup in order to help decrease clogging of the chamber outlet assembly. The inventors have therefore recognized an advantage to limiting the size of a clearance between a perimeter portion of the inner cup top and a perimeter portion of an internal side of the lid to less than approximately 600 microns. Such a configuration may limit the likelihood of solid beverage particles flowing out of the open top of the inner cup and between the sidewall(s) of the inner and outer cups. In some embodiments, the inventors have recognized an advantage to limiting the size of a clearance between a perimeter portion of the inner cup top and a perimeter portion of an internal side of the lid to less than approximately 200 microns.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

[0032] As used herein, the term “seal pressure” refers to the maximum pressure difference which a seal between two components may withstand.

[0033] 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.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a reusable beverage cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the reusable beverage cartridge 100.

[0035] The reusable beverage cartridge 100 includes an outer cup 200, an inner cup 300, and a lid 400. The outer cup 200 may have a generally frustoconical shape, with an outer cup bottom 202, an outer cup top 204, and outer cup sidewall 206 extending from the outer cup bottom 202 to the outer cup top 204, which together form an outer cup internal volume 208. A cartridge outlet 210 (see FIG. 3) may be positioned at the outer cup bottom 202. A bottom surface 212 of the outer cup bottom 202 may extend from the cartridge outlet 210.

[0036] An inner cup 300 may have a generally frustoconical shape which corresponds to the shape of the outer cup 200, with an inner cup bottom 302, an inner cup top 304, and an inner cup sidewall 306 extending from the inner cup bottom 302 to the inner cup top 304, which together form an inner cup internal volume 308. The inner cup internal volume 308 may be configured to receive a beverage ingredient for forming a beverage (e.g. coffee grinds, tea leaves, powdered drink mix, etc.). The inner cup 300 includes at least one liquid permeable portion 310. The liquid permeable portion(s) may be disposed at the inner cup bottom 302, the inner cup sidewall 306, or both. Such permeable portion(s) may act as filter(s) to allow the formed beverage to pass from the inner cup 300 into the outer cup 200, but limit the beverage ingredient itself from moving into the outer cup. Such a configuration may be desirable to help decrease clogging of the outlet assembly of the beverage machine with the beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, the liquid permeable portion(s) 310 are screen portions. Such screen portions may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

[0037] The inner cup 300 may include a recessed portion 312 configured to receive an inlet piercing mechanism of a beverage machine. More details on the recessed portion 312 will be discussed further below.

[0038] The lid 400 includes an exterior face 402 and a cartridge center inlet 403. In some embodiments, the lid includes a plurality of peripheral cartridge inlets 404. In some embodiments, Lid 400 is configured to selectively attach to the outer cup 200 via a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism may comprise a lid hinge portion 428 configured to selectively attach to an outer cup hinge portion 218. Such a configuration allows the lid 400 to rotate between an open position and a closed position, while also allowing the lid to remain attached to the outer cup 200 even in the open position. The reusable cartridge 100 may also include a clasp mechanism with a lid clasp portion 430 configured to engage with outer cup clasp portion 220 to lock the lid 400 in the closed position. While the above embodiments describe the lid 400 being attached to the outer cup via a hinge mechanism and a clasp mechanism, any suitable attachment means may be used. For instance, the lid may attach to the outer cup via a twist lock mechanism, an interference fit, other hinge arrangements such as a living hinge, or any other suitable attachment means, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0039] FIGs. 3 and 4 show the reusable beverage cartridge 100 in a cartridge chamber 501 of an exemplary beverage machine 500 in a partially loaded and a fully loaded position, respectively.

[0040] An exemplary beverage machine 500 may include a cartridge chamber 501 with a chamber inlet assembly 502 and a chamber outlet assembly 504. The chamber inlet assembly 502 may include at least one inlet piercing mechanism 506 configured to pierce and enter a lid of a conventional disposable cartridge. The inlet piercing mechanism(s) 506 may also be configured to introduce the precursor ingredient (e.g. water) into the disposable beverage cartridge. The chamber inlet assembly may also include an inlet gasket 508 configured to seal against the lid of the disposable cartridge after the lid has been pierced.

[0041] The chamber outlet assembly 504 may also include at least one outlet piercing mechanism 510 configured to pierce and enter a bottom surface of the disposable cartridge and to receive the formed beverage, and an outlet gasket 512 configured to seal against the bottom surface of the disposable cartridge. The chamber outlet assembly may also include an outlet conduit 514 fluidly connecting the outlet piercing mechanism 510 to a dispensingK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxoutlet 516. The chamber outlet assembly 504 may optionally include a downstream conditioning mechanism 518 configured to alter one or more parameters of the beverage after the beverage has been formed (e.g. alter beverage temperature, flow rate, turbulence, etc.).

[0042] Such exemplary beverage machines 500 may optionally include a bypass outlet 520. This bypass outlet 520 may be configured to bypass the chamber outlet assembly when a beverage forming cycle is activated on the beverage machine 500, but no beverage cartridge is inserted into the cartridge chamber 501. Such a configuration may be desirable to prepare a conditioned precursor ingredient (e.g. hot water) which is not conditioned by a downstream conditioning mechanism 518.

[0043] In some embodiments, because there is a greater empty volume in the cartridge chamber 501 as compared to a volume in the disposable beverage cartridge, a pressure in an empty cartridge chamber 501 during a beverage forming cycle may be lower as compared to a pressure in the disposable beverage cartridge during an identical beverage forming cycle. Because the cartridge chamber 501 does not need to withstand the higher pressure that is reached in the beverage cartridge, a seal between cartridge chamber 501 and cartridge chamber lid 524 may generally have a lower seal pressure than a seal pressure of the beverage cartridge when engaged with the inlet and outlet gaskets. A bypass outlet of such a beverage machine may have a lower flow resistance than the chamber outlet assembly 504, to allow for liquid flow out of the cartridge chamber 501 at this lower pressure.

[0044] In some cases, when a disposable cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber 501, the gaskets 508 and 512 seal the cartridge off from the rest of the cartridge chamber 501. This prevents the formed beverage from flowing through the bypass outlet, allowing for the beverage to be formed at the desired pressure, and allowing the beverage to be conditioned by any downstream conditioning mechanisms. This may also prevent liquid or air from directly entering the cartridge chamber 501 and raising a pressure in the cartridge chamber 501 above a seal pressure between the cartridge chamber 501 and the cartridge chamber lid 524, thereby preventing fluid leakage from between the cartridge chamber 501 and the cartridge chamber lid 524. If a beverage forming cycle is run without a cartridge placed in the cartridge chamber 501, the conditioned precursor ingredient (e.g. heated water) will flow through the bypass outlet.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

[0045] The inventors have therefore recognized a benefit to configuring the reusable beverage cartridge 100 to be sealed off from the cartridge chamber 501. This may seal the reusable beverage cartridge off from any bypass outlet 520 to ensure that the formed beverage passes through chamber outlet assembly 504, which will ensure the beverage is properly conditioned by conditioning mechanism 518 prior to being dispensed, and may also ensure that the beverage is formed at the proper beverage forming pressure. Even if the beverage machine does not include a bypass outlet, such a configuration may still be desirable to ensure that the pressure in the cartridge chamber 501 does not exceed the seal pressure of the cartridge chamber.

[0046] Lid 400 may therefore be configured to sealingly engage with the outer cup 200 to prevent leakage of liquid between the lid 400 and outer cup 200. As seen in FIG. 6, lid 400 may include a lid interior flange 406 extending from an internal side 405 of lid 400, the lid interior flange 406 having a gasket receiving portion 410 configured to hold lid gasket 412. Lid gasket 412 is configured to engage the outer cup sidewall 206 when the lid is placed over the outer cup 200 to prevent leakage of liquid and / or air between the lid 400 and the outer cup 200.

[0047] In some embodiments, the lid 400 includes an exterior flange 432 which extends past the sidewall(s) 206 of the outer cup 200. In some embodiments, the exterior flange 432 extends approximately parallel to the outer cup top 204. In some embodiments, the exterior flange 432 is configured to rest in a recess 522 in the cartridge chamber 501, allowing the cartridge chamber lid 524 of the beverage machine to move into a fully closed position, thereby allowing the cartridge chamber 501 to fully close around the reusable cartridge 100. In some embodiments, a thickness of exterior flange 432 is less than approximately 1.2 mm in order to prevent interference between the exterior flange 432 and the cartridge chamber lid 524. In some embodiments, a thickness of the exterior flange 432 is less than approximately 1 mm. In some embodiments, a thickness of the exterior flange 432 is between approximately 1 mm and 1.2 mm.

[0048] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the lid hinge portion 428 and the lid clasp portion 430 are disposed on opposite sides of the perimeter portion 414, and the perimeter portion 414 comprises a flattened section 434 spaced from the lid hinge portionK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx428 and the lid clasp portion 430. Such a configuration may be desirable to ensure that the exterior flange 432 is fully disposed in the recess 522 of the beverage machine.

[0049] In some embodiments, the exterior face 402 of the lid 400 of the reusable cartridge may be configured to sealingly engage with the inlet gasket 508 of the beverage machine when the cartridge chamber 501 is moved to the closed position shown in FIG. 4. Such a configuration may prevent leakage of liquid and / or air from cartridge inlets 403 and / or 404 into the cartridge chamber 501. As will be discussed further below, in some embodiments, the exterior face 402 may be contoured to allow for sealingly engaging exterior face 402 and multiple different styles of inlet gaskets 508 up to a desired seal pressure.

[0050] In some embodiments, the bottom surface 212 of the outer cup 200 may be configured to sealingly engage with the outlet gasket 512 of the beverage machine when the cartridge chamber 501 is moved to the closed position shown in FIG. 4. Such a configuration may prevent leakage of liquid and / or air from cartridge outlet 210 into the cartridge chamber 501.

[0051] With all openings between the reusable beverage cartridge 100 and the cartridge chamber 501 sealed, a beverage formed during the beverage forming process may flow from the chamber inlet assembly 502, through the reusable cartridge 100, and through the chamber outlet assembly 504 without flowing into the cartridge chamber 501.

[0052] In some embodiments, a seal pressure between lid 400 and outer cup 200, between exterior face 402 and inlet gasket 508, and between bottom surface 212 and outlet gasket 512 is sufficient to allow for a beverage forming pressure inside the reusable cartridge 100 of at least 15 psi. In some embodiments, a seal pressure between lid 400 and outer cup 200, between exterior face 402 and inlet gasket 508, and between bottom surface 212 and outlet gasket 512 is sufficient to allow for a beverage forming pressure inside the reusable cartridge 100 of at least 30 psi. In some embodiments, a seal pressure between lid 400 and outer cup 200, between exterior face 402 and inlet gasket 508, and between bottom surface 212 and outlet gasket 512 is sufficient to allow for a maximum beverage forming pressure inside the reusable cartridge 100 of between 15 psi and 30 psi.

[0053] The inventors have also recognized that it may be desirable to increase a capacity of the inner cup 300 in order to increase an amount of solid beverage ingredient which the inner cup 300 may hold. Such a configuration may be desirable to allow for higherK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxstrength beverages, or to allow for increased beverage size without compromising beverage strength. However, it may also be desirable to include a flow path to the cartridge outlet 210 between the inner cup bottom 302 and the corresponding outer cup bottom 202. Such a configuration may decrease the likelihood of formed beverage becoming trapped in the bottom of the outer cup after beverage formation, and thus remaining in the reusable cartridge 100.

[0054] In some embodiments, the inner cup may include a flange 314 extending from the inner cup top 304 which is configured to rest on a ledge 216 disposed on the outer cup sidewall 206 (see FIG. 6). When flange 314 is supported on ledge 216, the inner cup bottom 302 is suspended a distance above the outer cup bottom 202, creating a gap 104 for a flow path between the inner and outer cup bottoms (see FIG. 3). Such a configuration may allow the formed beverage to flow along the outer cup bottom 202 and to the cartridge outlet 210, decreasing an amount of trapped beverage in the reusable cartridge 100.

[0055] In some embodiments, the inner cup bottom 302 may be suspended approximately 0.8 mm above the outer cup bottom 202 In some embodiments, the inner cup bottom 302 may be suspended between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm above the outer cup bottom. In some embodiments, ledge 216 is disposed a distance DI (see FIG. 6) from the outer cup top 204, with distance DI being a linear distance parallel to longitudinal axis L of the beverage cartridge 100. In some embodiments, distance DI is between 6.1mm to 6.3 mm.

[0056] While the above embodiments disclose creating a flow path by suspending the inner cup 300 from the ledge 216, any suitable structure which creates a flow path may be used. For instance, the inner cup bottom 302 may rest on ledges and / or projections extending from the outer cup bottom 202 and / or the outer cup sidewall 206, as the disclosure is not so limited. Additionally, flange 314 may extend from any portion of the inner cup sidewall 306, and ledge 216 may be disposed at a corresponding position on outer cup sidewall 206 in order to create flow path, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0057] As discussed above, the inner cup 300 may also include a recessed portion 312 configured to receive the outlet piercing mechanism 510 when the reusable beverage cartridge 100 is fully received into the cartridge chamber 501 in order to prevent interference and / or damage to the inner cup 300 from the outlet piercing mechanism 510 and / or prevent damage to the outlet piercing mechanism 510 by the reusable beverage cartridge, while stillK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxincreasing the capacity of the inner cup 300. In some embodiments, the recessed portion 312 is disposed at a position where the inner cup bottom and the inner cup sidewall meet.However, the recessed portion may be disposed at any suitable position which corresponds to an outlet piercing mechanism of a compatible beverage machine, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0058] The outer cup may include at least one projection 214 which is configured to be received into the recessed portion. Projection(s) 214 may ensure that the recessed portion 312 is aligned with the cartridge outlet 210 when the inner cup is received into the outer cup, thus ensuring that the outlet piercing mechanism is received into the recessed portion 312. In some embodiments, the projection(s) 214 extend from the outer cup bottom 202. In some embodiments, the project! on(s) 214 extend between 7 mm and 8 mm from the outer cup bottom 202. In some embodiments, the projection(s) 214 extend 6.9 mm and 7.1 mm from the outer cup bottom 202. In some embodiments, two projections 214 flank the cartridge outlet 210 (see FIG. 8). In some embodiments, the projection(s) 214 extend from the outer cup sidewall.

[0059] As discussed above, including recessed portion 312 in the inner cup, and positioning the inner cup bottom 302 and the sidewall 306 proximal to the corresponding outer cup bottom 202 and outer cup sidewall 206 may increase a volume of the inner cup 300 relative to a volume of the outer cup 200 while still allowing for flow path(s) between the inner cup 300 and the outer cup 200. In some embodiments, a ratio of inner cup internal volume to outer cup internal volume is approximately 0.7: 1. In some embodiments, a ratio of inner cup internal volume to outer cup internal volume is between 0.6: 1 and 0.8: 1.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the reusable cartridge 100, and FIGs. 6 and 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the reusable cartridge 100.

[0061] As discussed above, the inventors have recognized that it may be desirable for the exterior face 402 of the lid 400 to seal against the inlet gasket 508 of the beverage machine in order to maintain adequate pressure inside reusable cartridge 100 during a beverage forming cycle, to limit leakage of the beverage out of the reusable cartridge 100, and to limit pressure buildup in the cartridge chamber 501.

[0062] The inventors have also recognized that it may be desirable for the beverage cartridge to be compatible with multiple different styles of chamber inlet assemblies, and toK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxmaintain the required seal pressure between exterior face 402 and inlet gasket 508 for each of the different styles of chamber inlet assemblies with different styles of gaskets. For instance, some beverage machines include a single-centrally located inlet piercing mechanism, while other beverage machines include a central inlet piercing mechanism, and a plurality of peripheral piercing mechanisms. The inventors have recognized that contouring the exterior face 402 of lid 400 may assist in achieving the desired seal pressure between exterior face 402 and these multiple different styles of inlet gasket 508.

[0063] In some embodiments, the exterior face 402 includes a perimeter portion 414, a center portion 416, and a transition portion 418 between the perimeter portion 414 and the center portion 416. The center portion 416 may be recessed relative to the perimeter portion 414, and the transition portion 418 may be sloped, curved, or otherwise contoured to connect the recessed center portion to the perimeter portion 414 (see FIG. 7).

[0064] In some embodiments, one or both of the center portion 416 and the perimeter portion 414 are substantially planar surfaces. In some embodiments, the center portion 416 and the perimeter portion 414 are disposed in substantially parallel planes.

[0065] In some embodiments, the center portion 416 is recessed a distance D3 relative to the perimeter portion 414, the distance D3 being a linear distance parallel to longitudinal axis L. In some embodiments, distance D3 may be between 1.98 mm and 2.0 mm.

[0066] In some embodiments, the transition portion 418 extends at an angle Al relative to the plane of the center portion 416 from the center portion 416 to the perimeter portion 414. In some embodiments, angle Al may be approximately between 12.75° and 14.75°.

[0067] In some embodiments, the perimeter portion 414 comprises between 22% and 30% of a surface area of the exterior face 402.

[0068] In some embodiments, the center portion 416 comprises between 27% and 35% of a surface area of the exterior face 402.

[0069] In some embodiments, the transition portion 418 comprises between 25 and 40% of the surface area of the exterior face. In some embodiments, the transition portion 418 comprises between 28% and 32% of the surface area of the exterior face. In some embodiments, the transition portion 418 comprises between 29% and 31% of the surface areaK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxof the exterior face. In some embodiments, the transition portion 418 comprises approximately 30% of the surface area of the exterior face.

[0070] The cartridge inlets 403 and / or 404 may be disposed on the lid 400 in any suitable position which allows for sealing of the cartridge inlets 403 and / or 404 from the cartridge chamber 501. For instance, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the cartridge center inlet 403 may be fully disposed in the center portion 416, and the peripheral cartridge inlets 404 are disposed partially within the center portion 416, and partially within the transition portion 418. However, it is contemplated that the peripheral cartridge inlets 404 may be disposed fully within the center portion 416, the transition portion 418, or the perimeter portion 414, or may also be disposed partially in both the perimeter portion 414 and the transition portion 418, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0071] In some embodiments, each of the peripheral cartridge inlets 404 are disposed a uniform distance from the cartridge center inlet 403. In some embodiments, at least some of the peripheral cartridge inlets 404 are disposed non-uniform distances from the cartridge center inlet 403. In some embodiments, each of the peripheral cartridge inlets 404 have similar cross-sectional profiles. In some embodiments, at least some peripheral cartridge inlets 404 have different cross-sectional profiles from other peripheral cartridge inlets 404. In some embodiments, the cartridge center inlet 403 includes a cutout section 420 to allow for insertion of an inlet piercing mechanism.

[0072] The lid 400 may also include a peripheral cartridge inlet gasket 422 configured to selectively seal the peripheral cartridge inlets 404. Such a configuration may be desirable to close off the peripheral cartridge inlets 404 to ensure a proper seal when the reusable cartridge 100 is used in a beverage machine with a single inlet piercing mechanism 506.

[0073] As discussed above, it may be desirable to prevent or limit passage of solid beverage ingredient from the inner cup 300 to the outer cup 200 in order to limit the likelihood of clogging the chamber outlet assembly 504 with solid beverage ingredient. While liquid permeable portion(s) 310 may limit solid beverage ingredient traversal through the inner cup bottom 302 and the inner cup sidewall 306, the inventors have recognized that it may be desirable to also limit solid beverage ingredient traversal out of the inner cup top 304, and between the inner cup sidewall 306 and outer cup sidewall 206. A lid interior perimeter portion 424 of lid 400 may therefore be disposed proximal to a corresponding inner cupK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxperimeter portion 316 of inner cup top, such that a clearance 106 between the lid interior perimeter portion 424 and the inner cup perimeter portion is less than a typical size of the solid beverage ingredient, thus blocking solid beverage ingredient from moving around the inner cup top 304 into the outer cup 200, and into the cartridge outlet 210.

[0074] In some embodiments, the clearance 106 is less than approximately 600 microns. In some embodiments, the clearance 106 is less than approximately 200 microns In some embodiments, the clearance 106 is at least 50 microns In alternative embodiments, there is no clearance, and the lid interior perimeter portion 424 contacts the inner cup perimeter portion 316.

[0075] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 6, the lid interior perimeter portion 424 is disposed on lid interior flange 406. However, it is contemplated that the lid interior perimeter portion may be disposed in any suitable position on the lid, as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the lid interior flange extends a distance D2 into the outer cup when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup, the distance D2 being a linear distance parallel to longitudinal axis L. In some embodiments, the distance D2 is between 3 mm and 5 mm. In some embodiments, the lid interior perimeter portion 424 extends approximately parallel to the inner cup perimeter portion 316.

[0076] 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.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

Claims

What is claimed is:CLAIMS1. A reusable beverage cartridge configured to be received into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine, the reusable beverage cartridge comprising: an outer cup comprising an outer cup bottom, an outer cup top, an outer cup sidewall extending between the outer cup bottom and the outer cup top, and a cartridge outlet; and an inner cup configured to be received into the outer cup, the inner cup comprising an inner cup bottom, an inner cup top, an inner cup sidewall extending between the inner cup bottom and the inner cup top, and a recessed portion disposed in the inner cup bottom and configured to align with the cartridge outlet when the inner cup is received into the outer cup.

2. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is disposed at a position where the inner cup bottom and the inner cup sidewall meet.

3. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 1, wherein the outer cup comprises a projection configured to extend into the recessed portion of the inner cup when the inner cup is fully received into the outer cup.

4. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 3, wherein the projection extends from the outer cup bottom towards the outer cup top.

5. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 4, wherein the projection is a plurality of projections that flank the cartridge outlet.

6. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 4, wherein the projection is configured to extend between 7 mm and 8 mm, inclusive, from the outer cup bottom.

7. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 1, wherein the outer cup comprises a ledge disposed on the outer cup sidewall above the outer cup bottom, and wherein the inner cup is configured to be supported by the ledge to suspend the inner cup bottom above the outer cup bottom.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx8. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 7, wherein the ledge is disposed between 4 mm and 6 mm along a longitudinal axis of the cup from the outer cup top.

9. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 7, wherein the inner cup bottom is suspended between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm, inclusive, above the outer cup bottom.

10. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 7, wherein the inner cup comprises a flange extending from the inner cup top and configured to rest on the ledge when the inner cup is fully received into the outer cup.

11. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 1, wherein a ratio of an internal volume of the inner cup to an internal volume of the outer cup is between 0.6: 1 and 0.8: 1, inclusive.

12. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 1, wherein the inner cup comprises at least one permeable portion that is permeable by formed beverage.

13. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 12, wherein the at least one permeable portion is a screen portion formed of a metal mesh material.

14. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 13, wherein the screen portion is a first screen portion disposed on the inner cup bottom, and further comprising a second screen portion disposed on the inner cup sidewall.

15. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to sealingly engage with the outer cup.

16. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 15, wherein the lid comprises an interior flange extending towards the outer cup bottom when the lid is engaged with the outer cup, and an exterior flange extending approximately parallel to the outer cup top when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx17. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 16, further comprising a gasket disposed in a gasket receiving portion of the interior flange, the gasket configured to sealingly engage the outer cup sidewall when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup.

18. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 16, wherein the exterior flange is configured to extend approximately parallel to the outer cup top past the outer cup sidewall.

19. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 16, further comprising an outer cup hinge portion disposed on the outer cup and a lid hinge portion disposed on the lid, wherein the outer cup hinge portion is configured to selectively engage with the lid hinge portion to allow for rotation of the lid relative to the outer cup between an open position and a closed position.

20. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 19, further comprising an outer cup clasp portion disposed on the outer cup and a lid clasp portion disposed on the lid, wherein the outer cup clasp portion is configured to engage with the lid clasp portion when the lid is engaged with the outer cup.

21. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 20, wherein the lid hinge portion and the lid clasp portion are disposed on opposite sides of the lid.

22. A reusable beverage cartridge configured to be received into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine, the reusable beverage cartridge comprising: an outer cup comprising an outer cup bottom, an outer cup top, and an outer cup sidewall extending between the outer cup bottom and the outer cup top; an inner cup permeable by liquid and configured to be received into the outer cup, the inner cup comprising an inner cup bottom, an inner cup top comprising an inner cup perimeter portion, and inner cup sidewall extending between the inner cup bottom and the inner cup top; andK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxa lid configured to sealingly engage with the outer cup, the lid comprising an internal side configured to be exposed to an internal volume of the outer cup when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup, the internal side comprising a lid interior perimeter portion, wherein a clearance between the inner cup perimeter portion and the lid interior perimeter portion is no more than 600 microns.

23. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 22, wherein the clearance is no more than 200 microns.

24. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 22, wherein the clearance is at least 50 microns.

25. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 22, wherein the lid comprises a lid interior flange extending from the internal side into the outer cup when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup, wherein the lid interior perimeter portion is disposed on the lid interior flange.

26. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 25, wherein the inner cup comprises an inner cup flange extending from the inner cup top, wherein the inner cup perimeter portion is disposed on the inner cup flange.

27. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 26, wherein the lid interior perimeter portion is disposed on a portion of the lid interior flange and extends approximately parallel to the inner cup perimeter portion.

28. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 26, wherein the lid interior flange extends between 6.1 mm and 6.3 mm, inclusive, into the outer cup when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup.

29. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 25, further comprising a gasket disposed in a gasket receiving portion of the lid flange, the gasket configured to sealingly engage the outer cup sidewall when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx30. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 25, wherein the lid comprises a lid exterior flange configured to extend approximately parallel to the outer cup top past the outer cup sidewall when the lid is fully engaged with the outer cup.

31. A reusable beverage cartridge configured to be received into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine, the reusable beverage cartridge comprising: a cup comprising a cup bottom, a cup top, and cup sidewall extending between the cup bottom and the cup top; and a lid configured to sealingly engage with the cup, the lid comprising an exterior face with a perimeter portion, a center portion recessed into the lid relative to the perimeter portion, and a transition portion between the perimeter portion and the center portion.

32. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 31, wherein the perimeter portion comprises between 22% and 30%, inclusive, of a surface area of the exterior face.

33. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 32, wherein the transition portion comprises between 25% and 40%, inclusive, of a surface area of the exterior face.

34. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 32, wherein the center portion comprises between 27% and 35%, inclusive, of a surface area of the exterior face.

35. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 31, wherein the perimeter portion extends approximately parallel to the center portion.

36. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 35, wherein the transition portion extends from the center portion to the perimeter portion at between 12.75° and 14.75°, inclusive, relative to the center portion.

37. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 31, further comprising a center inlet extending through the lid, the center inlet disposed fully within the center portion.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx38. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 37, further comprising a plurality of peripheral inlets positioned around the center inlet and extending through the lid.

39. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein the plurality of peripheral inlets are disposed fully within the center portion.

40. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein the plurality of peripheral inlets are disposed fully within the perimeter portion.

41. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein the plurality of peripheral inlets are disposed fully within the transition portion.

42. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein the plurality of peripheral inlets are disposed at least partially within the center portion and at least partially within the transition portion.

43. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein the plurality of peripheral inlets are disposed at least partially within the transition portion and the perimeter portion.

44. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein at least some of the plurality of peripheral inlets are disposed non-uniform distances from the center inlet.

45. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 38, wherein at least some of the plurality of peripheral inlets have non-uniform cross-sectional shapes.

46. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 37, wherein the center inlet comprises a cutout section.

47. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 31, further comprising a first hinge portion disposed on the cup and a second hinge portion disposed on the lid, wherein the first hingeK0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docxportion is configured to selectively engage with the second hinge portion to allow for rotation of the lid relative to the cup between an open position and a closed position.

48. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 47, further comprising a first clasp portion disposed on the cup and a second clasp portion disposed on the lid, wherein the first clasp portion is configured to engage with the second clasp portion when the lid is engaged with the cup.

49. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 48, wherein the second hinge portion and the second clasp portion are disposed on opposite sides of the lid.

50. The reusable beverage cartridge of claim 48, wherein the perimeter portion comprises a flattened portion spaced from both the second hinge portion and the second clasp portion.

51. A method of forming a beverage with a reusable beverage cartridge, the method comprising: inserting a beverage ingredient into an inner cup of the reusable beverage cartridge; inserting the inner cup into an outer cup of the reusable beverage cartridge; inserting the outer cup into a cartridge chamber of a beverage machine; sealing a surface of the outer cup against a gasket of a chamber outlet of the cartridge chamber; introducing a precursor ingredient into the inner cup to form a beverage with the beverage ingredient; and dispensing the beverage through the chamber outlet via a cartridge outlet.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising sealingly engaging a lid of the reusable beverage cartridge with the outer cup.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein introducing the precursor ingredient comprises introducing the precursor ingredient into the inner cup via a chamber inlet of the cartridge chamber.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx54. The method of claim 53, further comprising sealing an inlet gasket of the chamber inlet against an exterior face of the lid.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising pressurizing an internal volume of the outer cup to at least 15 psi.

56. The method of claim 51, further comprising inserting a recessed portion of the inner cup over at least one projection of the outer cup, wherein the at least one projection of the outer cup is adjacent to the cartridge outlet.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising inserting an outlet piercing mechanism into the cartridge outlet.

58. The method of claim 51, further comprising pressurizing an internal volume of the outer cup to at least 15 psi.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein the surface of the outer cup extends from the cartridge outlet.K0502.70263WO00-Application(14401254. l).docx

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