Beverage tablets with readable indicia covered with coating

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to beverage tablets having indicia that covered by at least one layer of coating. The indicia may be read by a beverage machine or a remotely located resource to determine various information relating to the beverage tablet, such as a beverage tablet type. Such information may be used to determine brew parameters for forming a beverage from the beverage tablet.

Description

Docket No. K0502.70269WQ001BEVERAGE TABLETS WITH READABLE INDICIA COVERED WITH COATINGCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 714,187, filed October 31, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are related to package-less beverage tablets, methods of making such beverage tablets, and methods of forming beverages with package-less beverage tablets.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tablets of compressed 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 some embodiments, a beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage is provided. The beverage tablet may include a body formed of compressed beverage ingredient; indicia, and at least one layer of coating covering the indicia. The at least one layer of coating may be configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

[0005] In some embodiments, a method of forming a beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage is provided. The method may include forming a beverage ingredient including a plurality of particles into a solid body of a beverage tablet, marking the beverage tablet with indicia, and covering the indicia with at least one layer of coating. The at least one layer of coating may be configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the beverage tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

[0006] In some embodiments, a method of forming a beverage from a beverage tablet with a beverage machine is provided. The method may include receiving a beverage tabletcomprising a body formed of compressed beverage ingredient and at least one layer of coating. The method may also include reading indicia marked on the beverage tablet. The indicia may be covered by the least one layer of coating. The method may also include adjusting one or more brew parameters based on information conveyed by the indicia. The method may also include forming a beverage using the one or more brew parameters and dispensing the beverage.

[0007] 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

[0008] 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:

[0009] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a package-less beverage tablet according to an embodiment;

[0010] FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage tablet of FIG. 1A taken along line B-B;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0016] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0017] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a beverage tablet inserted into a brew chamber of a beverage machine;13186926.1

[0018] FIG. 9 shows the beverage tablet of FIG. 8 being compressed by the beverage machine; and

[0019] FIG. 10 shows the beverage tablet of FIG. 8 being expanded by the beverage machine.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Many brewed beverages are conventionally prepared by enclosing an amount of loose particles of beverage ingredient, such a loose coffee grinds or tea leaves, into a beverage forming machine. Use of loose particles of beverage ingredient to prepare brewed beverages may be inconvenient as it may require additional steps of measuring out a specific amount beverage ingredient. Additionally, loose particles of beverage ingredient carries the risk of spillage while preparing and transporting the desired amount of beverage ingredient to and from the beverage machine. Additionally, many beverage forming machines that use loose particles of beverage ingredient require cleaning after each use to remove loose particles from the inside of the machine.

[0021] Single serve beverage pods have been implemented to alleviate some of these concerns. Such beverage pods generally contain loose beverage ingredient in a disposable packaging.

[0022] The inventors have recognized benefits of providing package-less beverage consumables that can be used with a beverage machine to form a beverage. In some embodiments, a beverage consumable comprises a tablet which includes beverage ingredient compressed into a desired shape and density. The tablet may include a coating that at least partially surrounds the compressed beverage ingredient. Such beverage tablets may allow for the increased convenience of single-serve beverage consumables while reducing packaging.

[0023] According to some aspects described herein, the tablet may be marked with indicia. Such indicia may be machine-readable and / or readable by a person. In some embodiments, the indicia may be readable to provide information to a machine and / or a person. The indicia may provide various types of information, such as the type of beverage tablet, the expiration date, the lot / batch number, beverage preparation parameters (such as temperature, pressure, volume, etc.), or any other suitable information. In some embodiments, the indicia may be logos or artwork. In some embodiments, indicia may not necessarily be machine-readable, and instead are to be read / viewed only by human users.

[0024] The inventors have appreciated that, in some embodiments, indicia markings on beverage tablets may be vulnerable to degradation. For indicia intended to be read (e.g.13186926.1by a machine, person, or both), degradation of the indicia may have an adverse effect on readability of the indicia. Degradation may occur due to a number of different factors. In some embodiments, indicia markings may become physically degraded due to contact with another surface. The inventors have appreciated that indicia markings that are located on an exterior surface of a beverage tablet may be particularly susceptible to contact-based physical degradation. Contact-based physical degradation may occur due to, for example, abrasion or other contact of the indicia against another surface. Such contact may occur during, for example, any one or more of the following stages: manufacturing the beverage tablet, packaging the beverage tablet, transporting the beverage tablet, unpackaging the beverage tablet, handling by the end user to place the beverage tablet into a beverage machine, etc.

[0025] Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, indicia marking may become degraded from exposure to other elements, such as via oxidation, exposure to light, exposure to heat, exposure to humidity, other chemical degradation, other physical degradation, and / or other similar process. The inventors have appreciated that indicia markings that are located on an exterior surface of a beverage tablet may be particularly susceptible to such degradation.

[0026] While physical degradation and chemical degradation have been discussed as potential types of degradation that may occur, it should be appreciated that the indicia may degrade due to other factors. The inventors have recognized that covering indicia with at least one layer of coating may help to decrease degradation of the indicia. In some embodiments, covering the indicia with coating may serve to encapsulate the indicia to decrease degradation of the indicia.

[0027] The inventors have appreciated that, in some embodiments, indicia markings on beverage tablets may be susceptible to migration - where at least a portion of the marking moves away from its original position. The inventors have recognized that ink-based markings may be particularly susceptible to migration. Migration may be caused by different factors, including exposure to moisture / liquid. The inventors have recognized that covering indicia with at least one layer of coating may help to decrease migration of the indicia. In some embodiments, covering the indicia with coating may serve to encapsulate the indicia to decrease migration of the indicia.

[0028] In some embodiments, a beverage tablet may have more than one layer of coating. In some such embodiments, an indicia marking may be positioned between two layers of coating. In some embodiments, sandwiching the indicia between two layers of coating may serve to encapsulate the indicia to decrease degradation and / or migration of the13186926.1indicia, and / or other unwanted issues. In other embodiments, however, the indicia marking may be covered with coating on only one side rather than sandwiched between two layers of coating. In some embodiments, covering the indicia with coating on only one side may serve to encapsulate the indicia. In some embodiments, the indicia marking may be positioned in direct contact with the compressed beverage ingredient, with a coating covering the indicia marking.

[0029] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises a solid body comprising a beverage ingredient where the body, including an outer wall of the body, is made of one or more beverage ingredients. For example, one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet may be formed into a solid body by compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients. The beverage tablet may be able to hold its own shape, and thus may not require individual packaging to prevent dispersing of the beverage material prior to use in forming a beverage. The beverage tablet may be configured to be received within a beverage machine without packaging such that the package-less beverage tablet directly contacts the beverage machine (e.g. a brew chamber) during a brewing process (e.g. without requiring the beverage machine to pierce through or otherwise open packaging to access the beverage ingredients).

[0030] A beverage tablet may be used to form a beverage such as tea, coffee, espresso, cocoa or other beverages prepared from a powder, dry concentrate or dry beverage material such as suitably prepared coffee beans, tea leaves etc. The beverage machine may form such beverages using a base liquid, such as water, that may be combined with the beverage material under suitable conditions to form the beverage.

[0031] The beverage tablet may comprise any suitable beverage ingredient.Examples of beverage ingredients include, but are not limited to: coffee (e.g., coffee grounds, soluble coffee), tea (e.g. tea leaves, dry herbal tea), powdered beverage concentrate, dried fruit extract or powder, powdered or liquid concentrated bouillon or other soup, powdered or liquid medicinal materials (e.g. nutraceuticals), powdered milk or other creamers, sweeteners, thickeners, flavorings, binding agents, coating agents, cellulose, chaff, filter aids, extracts, plant husks, plant fibers, bagasse, additives, or any other type of food. Examples of filter aids include, but are not limited to, perlite, diatomaceous earth, diatomite, chaff, and cellulose.Examples of binding agents include, but are not limited to, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, cream, honey, starch, sucrose, mannitol, liquid glucose, and zein.

[0032] As discussed above, in some embodiments, a package-less beverage consumable (e.g., a beverage tablet) may include a coating disposed along at least a portion13186926.1of the outer surface at the periphery of the consumable. In some embodiments, the coating may bind the beverage ingredients within the interior of the consumable. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredients held within the coating may be loose, such as loose ground coffee, or compressed. The coating may be a food grade binder, an alginate, edible, soluble, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the coating may serve as a barrier to reduce infiltration of oxygen and / or moisture such as to maintain freshness of the beverage ingredients. Material of the package-less beverage consumable, including a coating of the consumable, may directly contact some portion of the beverage machine, such as the brew chamber, before brewing the beverage, without intervening packaging in-between.

[0033] 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).

[0034] The coating may be applied to the tablet by dipping, spraying, enrobing, or any other suitable process.

[0035] The coating may be biodegradable, e.g., to further reduce waste and / or to make the beverage tablets compostable after use.

[0036] The coating of the beverage tablet may be configured to permit wetting and / or dissolution of beverage ingredients of a beverage tablet. Generally, the coating at least partially surrounds the beverage tablet. The coating is configured to become malleable when wet, allowing for deforming of the beverage tablet by surfaces of a brew chamber. In some embodiments, the coating is configured to stretch without rupturing as the beverage tablet is deformed. The coating may remain intact and may hold the deforming body within an encapsulated space to prevent the beverage ingredients from dispersing.

[0037] The coating may be configured to be pierced by at least one inlet needle and at least one outlet needle. In some embodiments, the coating may not permit transmission of water through the coating, preventing water from flowing in or out of the beverage tablet at locations other than locations where the beverage tablet is pierced.

[0038] In some embodiments, a beverage tablet may have a cylindrical shape (e.g. right cylinder, oblique cylinder, elliptic cylinder, etc.) The cylindrical shape of the beverage tablet may have a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region in between. A13186926.1cylindrical shape may reduce the complexity and cost of a beverage machine configured to brew different sized beverage tablets. Such beverage tablets may be scaled along a single dimension by simply altering the height of the intermediate region of the beverage tablet between the first and second ends. A brew chamber of the beverage machine could therefore accommodate various sized beverage tablets while maintaining proper geometry by simply scaling along that single dimension. For example, the brew chamber could adjust along the height dimension to accommodate different sized beverage tablets. Additionally, manufacturing such beverage tablets could only require the use of a single sized die, potentially reducing cost and increasing the flexibility of manufacturing lines.

[0039] The indicia may be on the first end, the second end, or both the first and second ends. In some embodiments, the first and / or second ends may have a surface upon which the indicia is marked. According to one aspect, marking the indicia on both ends may facilitate placement of the beverage tablet into the beverage machine and reading of the indicia. With a cylindrical shape, a user may be able to insert the beverage tablet into the beverage machine in more than one orientation. Marking the indicia on both the first and second end may allow the beverage tablet to still be readable and / or imageable by the beverage machine in more than one orientation (e.g. two orientations) without requiring a second reader / imager or requiring the beverage machine to move the beverage tablet into a suitable orientation for imaging / reading.

[0040] In some embodiments, the indicia is marked on a flat surface on the first and / or second ends. In some embodiments, the first and / or second ends may have a domed shape. In some embodiments, the first and second domed regions may include flat surfaces at distal ends of the first and second domed regions. In some embodiments, the first end of the beverage tablet is domed, but not the second end, or vice versa. In some embodiments, both the first and second ends are domed, but only one of the first and second ends has a flat surface.

[0041] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a cylindrical shape (e.g. right cylinder, oblique cylinder, elliptic cylinder, etc.). It should be appreciated however, that in other embodiments, a beverage tablet may be any suitable shape. For example, a beverage tablet may be spherical, half- spherical, egg-shaped, a spheroid (e.g. prolate spheroid, oblate spheroid, etc.), cube-shaped, pyramidal (e.g. triangular pyramid, square pyramid, rectangular pyramid, pentagonal pyramid, hexagonal pyramid, octagonal pyramid, etc.), prismatic (e.g. triangular prism, rectangular prism, square prism, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, octagonal prism, trapezoidal prism, pentagrammic13186926.1prism, etc.), conical (e.g. flat cone, sphere cone, parabolic cone, etc.), toroidal, a polyhedron (e.g. tetrahedron, dodecahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, truncated icosahedron, cuboctahedron, cube-shaped, pyramidal, prismatic, etc.), heart-shaped, star-shaped, or any other suitable shape.

[0042] In some embodiments, the indicia may be ink-based indicia (e.g., via inkjet, pad print, or any other suitable ink-based approach). However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, other types of indicia may be used. For example, indicia may be marked via laser, including ultraviolet (UV) laser marking, vanadate laser marking, carbon dioxide laser marking, or any other suitable laser marking, via edible paper, via edible stickers, or any other suitable marking approach. In some embodiments, the indicia may edible. In other embodiments, the indicia may not be edible, but may be food safe (configured to be safe for contact with food).

[0043] In some embodiments, a domed shape at the first and / or second ends may allow for more even distribution of the coating over the entire surface of the tablet. It may also reduce likelihood of breakage during manufacture or transport due to its avoidance of sharp edges leading to stress concentrations. Such geometry may also allow for even deformation of the beverage tablet in the brew chamber.

[0044] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet includes rounded transition regions between the generally cylindrical intermediate region and the domed regions of the first and second ends. Such rounded transitions may further improve the homogeneity of the coating and reduce stress concentrations. Such rounded transition regions may also allow for better deformation of the beverage tablet in the brew chamber.

[0045] In some embodiments, a method of brewing a brewed beverage using the beverage tablet is provided. In use, a beverage tablet is inserted into a brew chamber of a beverage forming machine, such that the first and second ends each face one of an inlet surface or outlet surface of the brew chamber. The coating is then wet with a precursor volume of water, allowing the coating to become malleable. The inlet surface is then configured to move towards the outlet surface, compressing the beverage tablet between the inlet surface and the outlet surface. In some embodiments, the shape of the first and / or second ends may change when the beverage tablet is compressed. As an example, the dome shape of the first and / or second ends may transition into a flat surface.

[0046] As the beverage tablet is compressed, the tablet may be deformed to conform to the shape of at least the inlet surface. This may help to seal the beverage tablet against the inlet surface, preventing a flow of water from circumventing the beverage tablet. In some13186926.1embodiments, because the coating is malleable, the coating stretches with the beverage tablet as the tablet is deformed, rather than fracturing. However, in other embodiments, as the beverage tablet is deformed, the compressed beverage ingredient inside the coating is fractured.

[0047] The beverage tablet is then pierced through one of the first and second ends by at least one inlet needle. In some embodiments, the at least one inlet needle extends from the inlet surface of the beverage forming machine. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may be pierced through the other of the first and second ends by at least one outlet needle. In some embodiments, the at least one outlet needle extends from the outlet surface of the beverage forming machine. It is contemplated that the at least one outlet needle may pierce the beverage tablet at the same time as, or before, the at least one inlet needle pierces the beverage tablet, or may pierce the beverage tablet at any point of the brewing process.

[0048] A first volume of water is then introduced into the beverage tablet from the at least one inlet needle. In some embodiments, because the beverage tablet is sealed against the inlet surface, this volume of water is not discouraged from circumventing the beverage tablet, and rather must enter the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, this first volume of water causes the beverage tablet to expand and loosens the compressed beverage ingredient up, lowering the density of the beverage ingredient in the beverage tablet.

[0049] In some embodiments, a second volume of water is then injected into the beverage tablet through the at least one inlet needle which flows through the beverage tablet and through the at least one outlet needle to a dispensing station, forming a brewed beverage.

[0050] 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.FIGS. 1A and IB show a perspective and cross-sectional view respectively of a beverage tablet 100 according to an embodiment. The beverage tablet includes a body 102, which includes one or more beverage ingredients formed into a solid body by compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients. Compressed beverage ingredient may be any beverage ingredient or combination of beverage ingredients for forming a brewed beverage. For example, beverage ingredient may be coffee grinds, tea leaves, a combination of coffee grinds or tea leaves and additives such as powdered creamer, or any other13186926.1conventional brewed beverage ingredient. The beverage tablet may have a cylindrical shape having a first end 106, a second end 108, and an intermediate region 110. However, it should be appreciated that other shapes are possible. The beverage tablet may have a height H and a diameter D. The height H and / or diameter D may be different for other embodiments and are not limited to those shown in the figures.

[0051] The body 102 of the beverage tablet may be at least partially covered by a coating 104. In some embodiments, the coating 104 may be configured to seal the beverage ingredient of the body 102 to preserve the beverage ingredient by limiting the amount of water or air a beverage ingredient is exposed to. In some embodiments, the coating 104 may also be configured to help retain the body 102 in its shape after being formed.

[0052] In some embodiments, coating 104 may be configured to be malleable when wet, in order to allow for deforming of the beverage tablet 100 during a brew process without fracturing or tearing the coating 104. Coating 104 may be configured to be pierced by needles to allow introduction of water into the beverage tablet 100, and extraction of brewed beverage from the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the coating 104 may be water impermeable, such that water is prevented from flowing in or out of the beverage tablet at locations other than locations where the beverage tablet 100 is pierced. The coating may have any suitable number of layers, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 layers, or more.

[0053] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may be marked with indicia to indicate information about the beverage tablet. Different types of indicia may be marked on the coating. Some indicia may be machine-readable, and may be read by a beverage machine and / or a mobile device or remote resource. In some embodiments, the machine-readable indica may be a barcode, including, but not limited to: one-dimensional barcodes (also called linear barcodes), two-dimensional barcodes (also called matrix codes, e.g. QR codes), and any other suitable barcode. Indicia 116a shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of a machine- readable indicia: a barcode. Some indicia may be text that can be read by a human user and / or a machine. In some embodiments, the text may be intended just for a human user, and is not read by the beverage machine and / or a mobile device or remote resource. In other embodiments, however, the text may also be read by the beverage machine and / or a mobile device or remote resource. Indicia 116b shown in FIG. 1A is an example of indicia in the form of human-readable text: “Dark Roast”. Such text may help to inform the user of the beverage tablet type.

[0054] Some indicia may be logos that can be read by a human user and / or a machine. In some embodiments, the logos may be intended just for a human user, and are not read by13186926.1the beverage machine and / or a mobile device or remote resource. In other embodiments, however, the logo may also be read by the beverage machine and / or a mobile device or remote resource. In some embodiments, the logo may inform the human user and / or machine of which company produced the beverage tablet. Indicia 116c shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of indicia in the form of a logo.

[0055] In some embodiments, indicia are for the human user only, and are not read by a machine or otherwise used by a machine for any type of recognition. For example, some indicia may be artwork or other designs used purely for aesthetic purposes. In some embodiments, the certain indicia may help the human user identify the beverage tablet type and / or the company that produced the beverage tablet type, but the indicia is not read by a machine for such recognition. Indicia 116d shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of indicia in the form of design for aesthetic purposes, and is not read by a machine.

[0056] In some embodiments, more than one type of indicia may be marked on a beverage tablet, and a mix of machine-readable only, human-readable only, and / or both machine and human readable indicia may be present. For example, the beverage tablet 100 of FIG. 1 A has four different types of indicia: barcode indicia 116a (which may be machine- readable only), text indicia 116b (which may be both human and machine readable), logo indicia 116c (which may be both human and machine readable, or just human readable), and artwork / design indicia 116d (which may be human-readable only).

[0057] According to aspects discussed herein, indicia 116a-d is covered by at least one layer of coating 104. The indicia may, in some embodiments, be covered by a plurality of layers of coating. In some embodiments, the indicia is sandwiched between two layers of coating.

[0058] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. IB, the indicia 116 is sandwiched between two layers of coating 104: an inner layer 105 and an outer layer 107. As a result, in some embodiments, the indicia 116 may be encapsulated by the coating.

[0059] It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, one or more layers of coating may only partially surround the body of beverage ingredient, and do not fully surround the body of beverage ingredient. For example, in some embodiments, one layer of coating may fully surround the body of beverage ingredient, while another layer of coating may only partially surround the body of beverage ingredient.

[0060] One illustrative embodiment of a beverage tablet is shown in FIG. 2, which shows a cross-section of a tablet 200. The indicia 216 is sandwiched between an outer layer 207 of coating and an inner layer 205 of coating. As a result, in some embodiments, the13186926.1indicia 216 may be encapsulated by the coating. The inner layer 205 fully surrounds the body 202 of beverage ingredient, while the outer layer 207 only partially surrounds the body 202 of beverage ingredient.

[0061] Another illustrative embodiment of a beverage tablet is shown in FIG. 3, which shows a cross-section of a tablet 300. The indicia 316 is sandwiched between an outer layer 307 of coating and an inner layer 305 of coating. As a result, in some embodiments, the indicia 316 may be encapsulated by the coating. The outer layer 307 fully surrounds the body 302 of beverage ingredient, while the inner layer 305 only partially surrounds the body 302 of beverage ingredient.

[0062] In some embodiments, indicia of a beverage tablet is covered by coating without being sandwiched between two layers of coating. The indicia may be positioned directly on the body of beverage ingredient.

[0063] One illustrative embodiment of a beverage tablet is shown in FIG. 4, in which the beverage tablet 400 is marked with indicia 416 that is positioned directly on the body 402 of beverage ingredient. The indicia 416 is covered by a layer of coating 404. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, a plurality of coating layers may cover the indicia 416. As a result, in some embodiments, the indicia 416 may be encapsulated by the coating.

[0064] According to one aspect, a method of forming a beverage tablet is provided. First, a solid body is formed from one or more beverage ingredients comprising a plurality of particles. The body may be formed by any suitable method, such as compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients.

[0065] As discussed above, in some embodiments, indicia is positioned between layers of coating. In some such embodiments, after the body of beverage ingredient is formed, at least a portion of the body may then be covered by a coating. In some embodiments, the entire body is covered by the coating. The coating may have one or more layers. In some embodiments, a coating process may be repeated a plurality of times to achieve a multi-layer coating. The coating may be applied to the tablet by dipping, spraying, enrobing, or any other suitable process.

[0066] After the beverage tablet has been coated with at least one layer, the tablet may be marked with indicia. The indicia may be applied directly upon the coating, e.g. via inkjet, pad printing with ink, laser marking (e.g. laser etching) the coating, positioning an edible paper or edible sticker onto the coating, or other suitable process.13186926.1

[0067] In alterative embodiments in which the indicia is covered with coating on only one side rather than sandwiched between layers of coating, the sequence of manufacturing steps may differ. After the body of beverage ingredient is formed, indicia may be formed directly upon the body of beverage ingredient, e.g. via inkjet, pad printing with ink, laser etching the body, positioning an edible paper or edible sticker onto the body, or other suitable process. After the body is marked with the indicia, one or more layers of coating may then be applied to cover the indicia and / or the entire body surface. The coating may be applied to the tablet by dipping, spraying, enrobing, or any other suitable process.

[0068] In some embodiments, the indicia is applied to a first end of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the indicia is also applied to a second end of the beverage tablet.

[0069] 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. In some embodiments, the coating comprises sodium alginate.

[0070] 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 comprises a 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 may13186926.1provide mechanical support to the coating and / or may be a filler configured to dilute the alginate without degrading coating properties.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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, the ionic 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 salt13186926.1comprising 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 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 cross-linker 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 trivalent 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 cross-linking 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 crosslinking 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.

[0074] 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 first polysaccharide matrix), wherein a first polysaccharide is cross-linked while a second polysaccharide is not.

[0075] In some embodiments, the indicia is decoded by the beverage machine. The beverage machine may include any suitable reader to decode the indicia, such as a camera or barcode reader (e.g. 2D barcode reader, 3D barcode reader, including a QR code reader).

[0076] In some embodiments, an image of the indicia is captured by the beverage machine, and the image is sent to a remote resource, such as a remote server, for decoding. In some embodiments, the remote resource may decode the indicia and send information and / or commands back to the beverage machine. For example, the remote resource may decode the indicia, determine the type of beverage tablet that is being brewed, and send brew parameter instructions to the beverage machine. The remote resource may perform other actions with the decoded information, such as automatic reordering of beverage tablets,13186926.1sending reorder suggestions to a user via email, phone application, via a display on the beverage machine, etc., updating a usage tracking database e.g., for supply chain information.

[0077] The indicia may be used for a variety of purposes. In some embodiments, the indicia may be used to indicate the type of beverage tablet that is being brewed, such as the variety, flavor, espresso versus drip coffee, etc. Such information can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the beverage machine may automatically adjust one or more brew parameters based on the type of beverage tablet that is reflected by the indicia. For example, if the indicia indicates that the beverage tablet is an espresso type of beverage tablet, the beverage machine may utilize a higher brew pressure. Likewise, if the indicia indicates that the beverage tablet is a drip coffee type of beverage tablet, the beverage machine may utilize a lower brew pressure. Alternatively or in addition, identification of the type of beverage tablet that is being brewed may be used for inventory purposes, e.g. automatic re-ordering of the beverage tablet type that is being brewed when the total amount of beverage tablets of that type owned by the user or organization falls below a certain threshold. A user may have an account that tracks purchases and uses to determine how many beverage tablets the user or organization still has. In some embodiments, the indicia may include information regarding product shelf life and / or batch / lot number. For example, the indicia can be used to indicate whether the beverage tablet has passed its expiration date, and / or whether there is safety information associated with the beverage tablet. A beverage machine may then communicate such information to a user, e.g. by providing an alert to a user reflecting the information from the indicia on a display. The indicia may also include information such as ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts, any of which may be displayed by a beverage machine to a user.

[0078] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the first and / or second end of the beverage tablet may be domed. As seen in FIG. 5, first end 106 may be dome-shaped, and second end 108 may be dome-shaped. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, only one of the first and second ends is dome- shaped, while the other end is flat.

[0079] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 6, domed regions of the first and second ends 106 and 108 may include flat surfaces 118 and 120.

[0080] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 5, to further improve coating evenness and reduction of stress concentrations, transitions 112 and 114 between the intermediate region 110 and the domed regions of the first and second ends 106 and 108 may be generally curved. It is contemplated that this curve may have any suitable radius. In other embodiments, transitions 112 and 114 are sharper (smaller radius of curvature), as can be13186926.1seen in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, transitions 112 and 114 are more gradual (larger radius of curvature), as can be seen in FIG. 7.

[0081] In the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 5-7, indicia 116 are located at both the first end and the second end of the tablet. However, in other embodiments, indicia may be located at only one of the ends, or at a different location on the tablet entirely.

[0082] FIGS. 8-10 show an exemplary embodiment of a method of brewing a beverage using the beverage tablet.

[0083] In use, a beverage tablet 100 may be received into a brew chamber 502 of a beverage machine 500 while the brew chamber 502 is in an expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 8. Brew chamber 502 includes an inlet surface 504 and an outlet surface 506. An inlet needle 510 may be coupled to the inlet surface 504, and an outlet needle 512 may be coupled to the outlet surface 506. It is contemplated that inlet needle 510 may be a plurality of inlet needles, and / or outlet needle 512 may be a plurality of outlet needles. In some embodiments, inlet surface 504 may have a curved profile. In some embodiments, outlet surface 506 may have a curved profile.

[0084] Beverage tablet 100 may be received within the brew chamber such that first and second ends 106 and 108 each face one of an inlet surface 504 or an outlet surface 506.

[0085] In some embodiments, the brew chamber 502 may include a lid 508 that opens to permit entry of a tablet into the brew chamber. The lid 508 may close after a tablet has been inserted.

[0086] As a wetting step, a precursor volume of water may be introduced into the brew chamber in order to soften coating 104 to allow for deforming and piercing of the beverage tablet 100. In some embodiments, the precursor volume of water in introduced into the brew chamber through inlet needle 510. In some embodiments, precursor volume of water is introduced into the brew chamber from a separate inlet that is distinct from inlet needle 510.

[0087] In some embodiments, after the tablet coating has been softened, the beverage machine may then compress the tablet. To achieve this, in some embodiments, the inlet surface 504 and outlet surface 506 may move relative to one another, moving the brew chamber 502 from an expanded configuration (FIG. 8) to a compressed configuration (FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the inlet surface 504 moves toward the outlet surface 506, in some embodiments, the outlet surface 506 moves toward the inlet surface 504, and in some embodiments, both surfaces 504, 506 move toward each other. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet 100 is compressed, the first and / or second ends 106 and 108 may change13186926.1shape. For example, the first and / or second ends 106 and 108 may change from a domed shape to a flattened shape. In some embodiments, the diameter D of the beverage tablet may increase as the beverage tablet 100 is compressed.

[0088] The movement distance of the inlet surface 504 and / or outlet surface 506 may differ depending on the size of the beverage tablet. For example, the inlet surface 504 and / or outlet surface may move a greater distance when used with tablets of a shorter height H as compared to tablets with a taller height H. As discussed above, one benefit of using a cylindrical shaped beverage tablet is that different beverage tablet sizes (and thus beverage volumes and / or strengths) may be used with the same beverage machine, where the beverage machine may be able to adjust along a single dimension to accommodate the different sizes. In this case, the brew chamber expands and contracts linearly to accommodate different beverage tablet heights.

[0089] In some embodiments, as the distance between the inlet surface 504 and the outlet surface 506 decreases, the beverage tablet 100 is deformed such that the tablet conforms to match the shape of the inlet surface 504 and / or outlet surface 506 in the compressed position. In some embodiments, the conforming of the beverage tablet 100 to inlet surface 504 seals the beverage tablet 100 against inlet surface 504. In some embodiments, conforming of the beverage tablet 100 to the outlet surface 506 seals the beverage tablet 100 against the outlet surface 506.

[0090] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet is subjected to a force of 450 N, can go up to 700 N during compression of the tablet by the beverage machine.

[0091] In some embodiments, compressing the beverage tablet 100 causes the compressed beverage ingredients forming the body 102 to fracture, breaking body 102 into smaller pieces. The coating 104, due at least in part to its malleable properties when wet, may remain intact and may hold the fractured pieces of the body within an encapsulated space to prevent the beverage ingredients from dispersing. The coating may stretch to permit the shape of the tablet to deform without rupture of the coating.

[0092] As the beverage tablet 100 is compressed, the inlet needle 210 pierces coating 104 and enters the beverage tablet 100 through the first end 106. In some embodiments, the outlet needle 512 may also pierce coating 104 and enter the beverage tablet 100 through the second end 108 contemporaneously with the inlet needle. In other embodiments, the outlet needle 512 pierces coating 104 after the inlet needle 510 pierces the coating 104.

[0093] A first volume of water is then injected into the beverage tablet 100 through the inlet needle 510. In some embodiments, this causes beverage tablet 100 to expand, as seen13186926.1in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, as beverage tablet 100 expands, the surfaces of the brew chamber may move away from one another to allow for expansion. For example, the inlet surface 504 of the brew chamber may move away from the outlet surface 506 of the brew chamber (or vice versa, or both surfaces may move away from each other). As beverage tablet 100 expands, the contents of the body 102 may become broken up, reducing the density of the beverage ingredient in the beverage tablet 100. The coating 104, however, may remain intact, keeping the contents contained within an enclosed space and preventing the contents from dispersing in the beverage machine. The coating may stretch to permit the shape of the tablet to deform and the density of the body to change without rupture of the coating.

[0094] In some embodiments, the coating may be configured to permit the tablet to expand inside the brew chamber without rupture of the coating. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion inside the brew chamber is from 10% to 27%, 11% to 26%, 12% to 25%, 13% to 24%, 14% to 23%, 15% to 22%, 16% to 21%, 17% to 20%, or 18% to 19%. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion inside the brew chamber is from 10%-20%, 11% to 19%, 12% to 18%, 13% to 17%, 14% to 16%, or 15%. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion inside the brew chamber is from 14% to 30%, 15% to 29%, 16% to 28%, 17% to 27%, 18% to 26%, 19% to 25%, 20% to 24%, 21% to 23%, or 22%. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion of the beverage tablet inside the brew chamber is from 15%-30%.

[0095] In some embodiments, a second volume of water may then be introduced into the beverage tablet 100 through inlet needle 510. At least some of the first and second volumes of water then flow through the beverage tablet 100, out the outlet needle 512, and to a dispensing station, forming a brewed beverage.

[0096] In some embodiments, prior to operation with a beverage machine, a beverage tablet may have a density of 500 g / 1 to 750 g / 1. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a density that ranges from 400 g / 1 to 850 g / 1, 425 g / 1 to 825 g / 1, 450 g / 1 to 800 g / 1, 475 g / 1 to 775 g / 1, 500 g / 1 to 750 g / 1, 525 g / 1 to 725 g / 1, 550 g / 1 to 700 g / 1, 575 g / 1 to 675 g / 1, or 600 g / 1 to 650 g / 1. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a density that ranges from 400 g / 1 to 600 g / 1, 425 g / 1 to 575 g / 1, 450 g / 1 to 550 g / 1, 475 g / 1 to 525 g / 1, or 500 g / 1. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a density that ranges from 650 g / 1 to 850 g / 1, 675 g / 1 to 825 g / 1, 700 g / 1 to 800 g / 1, 725 g / 1 to 775 g / 1, or 750 g / 1.

[0097] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet may comprise at least one coating that at least partially covers the compressed beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, the at least one coating completely envelops the compressed beverage13186926.1ingredient. The coating may be configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the beverage tablet to deform during a beverage formation process without rupture of the coating. In some embodiments, the coating has an ultimate elongation of at least 10% when exposed to liquid. In some embodiments the coating has an ultimate elongation that ranges from 10% to 40%, 12% to 38%, 14% to 36%, 16% to 34%, 18% to 32%, 20% to 30%, 22% to 28%, or 24% to 26%. In some embodiments the coating has an ultimate elongation that ranges from 10% to 28%, 12% to 26%, 14% to 24%, 16% to 22%, or 18% to 20%. In some embodiments the coating has an ultimate elongation that ranges from 24% to 40%, 26% to 38%, 28% to 36%, 30% to 34%, or 31% to 33%.

[0098] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet with coating may have a break force of 40 to 500 N.

[0099] 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.13186926.1

Claims

What is claimed is:CLAIMS1. A beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage, the beverage tablet comprising: a body formed of compressed beverage ingredient; indicia; and at least one layer of coating covering the indicia, wherein the at least one layer of coating is configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

2. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of coating comprises a plurality of layers of coating.

3. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein: the at least one layer of coating comprises at least one outer layer of coating, the beverage tablet further comprises at least one inner layer of coating covering at least a portion of the body, the body being closer to the at least one inner layer of coating than the at least one outer layer of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one inner layer of coating and the at least one outer layer of coating.

4. The beverage tablet of claim 3, wherein the indicia is positioned on one of the at least one inner layer of coating.

5. The beverage tablet of claim 3, wherein the at least one outer layer of coating comprises a plurality of outer layers of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one inner layer of coating and the plurality of outer layers of coating.

6. The beverage tablet of claim 3, wherein the at least one inner layer of coating comprises a plurality of inner layers of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one outer layer of coating and the plurality of inner layers of coating.13186926.

17. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises an ink marking.

8. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the body and the at least one layer of coating are configured to be pierced to allow liquid to flow into the beverage tablet and wherein the malleability of the coating when exposed to liquid allows the beverage tablet to be expanded by the liquid to decrease a density of the beverage ingredient while the at least one layer of coating retains the beverage ingredient within an enclosed space.

9. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the beverage tablet further comprises a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region between the first end and the second end, wherein the indicia is positioned at the first end.

10. The beverage tablet of claim 9, wherein the intermediate region comprises a cylindrical shape.

11. The beverage tablet of claim 9, further comprising second indicia positioned at the second end.

12. The beverage tablet of claim 10, further comprising second indicia positioned at the second end.

13. The beverage tablet of claim 9, wherein the first end includes a flat surface, and the indicia is positioned at the flat surface.

14. The beverage tablet of claim 13, wherein the first end comprises a domed shape including the flat surface.

15. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer being closer to the body formed of compressed beverage ingredient, and wherein the indicia does not intrude into the inner layer.

16. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia indicates a beverage tablet tyPe-13186926.

117. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia is machine-readable.

18. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises a barcode.

19. The beverage tablet of claim 18, wherein the barcode comprises a two- dimensional barcode.

20. A method of forming a beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage, the method comprising: forming a beverage ingredient comprising a plurality of particles into a solid body of a beverage tablet; marking the beverage tablet with indicia; and covering the indicia with at least one layer of coating, wherein the at least one layer of coating is configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the beverage tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one layer of coating comprises a plurality of layers of coating.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one layer of coating comprises at least one outer layer of coating, further comprising: covering at least a portion of the body with at least one inner layer of coating prior to covering the indicia with the at least one outer layer of coating, wherein the indicia is positioned between the at least one inner layer of coating and the at least one outer layer of coating.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of marking the beverage tablet with the indicia comprises marking the indicia on one of the at least one inner layer of coating.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the indicia comprises an ink marking.13186926.

125. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one outer layer of coating comprises a plurality of outer layers of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one inner layer of coating and the plurality of outer layers of coating.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one inner layer of coating comprises a plurality of inner layers of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one outer layer of coating and the plurality of inner layers of coating.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the body and the at least one layer of coating are configured to be pierced to allow liquid to flow into the beverage tablet and wherein the malleability of the coating when exposed to liquid allows the beverage tablet to be expanded by the liquid to decrease a density of the beverage ingredient while the at least one layer of coating retains the beverage ingredient within an enclosed space.

28. A method of forming a beverage from a beverage tablet with a beverage machine, the method comprising: receiving a beverage tablet comprising a body formed of compressed beverage ingredient and at least one layer of coating; reading indicia marked on the beverage tablet, the indicia being covered by the least one layer of coating; adjusting one or more brew parameters based on information conveyed by the indicia; forming a beverage using the one or more brew parameters; and dispensing the beverage.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: introducing liquid to the at least one layer of coating to make the at least one layer of coating more malleable; and deforming the beverage tablet to conform the beverage tablet to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of forming the beverage comprises: piercing the at least one layer of coating with one or more inlet needles; and introducing precursor liquid through the at least one layer of coating into the body.13186926.

131. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of forming the beverage further comprises: piercing the at least one layer of coating with one or more outlet needles to permit exit of brewed beverage.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one layer of coating comprises a plurality of layers of coating.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein: the at least one layer of coating comprises at least one outer layer of coating, the beverage tablet further comprises at least one inner layer of coating covering at least a portion of the body, the body being closer to the at least one inner layer of coating than the at least one outer layer of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one inner layer of coating and the at least one outer layer of coating.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one outer layer of coating comprises a plurality of outer layers of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one inner layer of coating and the plurality of outer layers of coating.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one inner layer of coating comprises a plurality of inner layers of coating, and the indicia is positioned between the at least one outer layer of coating and the plurality of inner layers of coating.13186926.1

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