U.S. patent application number 10/908880 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for coffee and tea pod.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE COCA-COLA CO.. Invention is credited to Green, Charles Bradley, Kirschner, Jonathan, Masters, Michael Alan.
Application Number | 20050241489 10/908880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34079559 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241489 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kirschner, Jonathan ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Coffee and Tea Pod
Abstract
A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves. The
container may include a body and a lip extending from the body. The
lip may include a top substantially flat surface and a width of no
more than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch).
Inventors: |
Kirschner, Jonathan; (Powder
Springs, GA) ; Green, Charles Bradley; (Dacula,
GA) ; Masters, Michael Alan; (Atlanta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP
999 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Assignee: |
THE COCA-COLA CO.
One Coca-Cola Plaza
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
34079559 |
Appl. No.: |
10/908880 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10908880 |
May 31, 2005 |
|
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10604445 |
Jul 22, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/3633 20130101;
B65D 85/8043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
099/295 |
International
Class: |
A23F 003/00 |
Claims
1. A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves, comprising:
a body; and a lip extending from said body; said lip comprising a
top substantially flat surface; and a width of no more than about
2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch).
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising polystyrene,
polyethylene, or polypropylene.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a sidewall
and a base.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein said base comprises a
plurality of apertures therein.
5. The container of claim 3, wherein said base comprises a
plurality of support ribs thereon.
6. The container of claim 3, wherein said base comprises a
plurality of spikes thereon.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of
spikes comprises a base surrounded by a plurality of blades.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein said lip comprises a flange
extending from said flat surface.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein said flange extends downwardly
at an angle so as to form a pocket with said body.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein said pocket comprises an
upper curved radius.
11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lid to be
positioned within said body.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said lid comprises a concave
shape.
13. The container of claim 11, wherein said lid comprises a
plurality of apertures therein.
14. The container of claim 11, wherein said body comprises one or
more over-cuts therein for said lid.
15. The container of claim 1, further comprising one or more layers
of filter paper positioned within said body.
16. The container of claim 1, further comprising a foil envelope
for holding the ground coffee or the tealeaves.
17. A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves, comprising:
a base; said base comprising a plurality of apertures therein; a
circular sidewall extending from said base; and a lip extending
from said sidewall; said lip comprising a top substantially flat
surface; and a flange extending downwardly from said flat
surface.
18. The container of claim 17, wherein said flange comprises a
width of no more than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch).
19. The container of claim 17, wherein said base comprises a
plurality of spikes thereon.
20. A dispenser for brewing a beverage from a beverage material,
comprising: a pod with the beverage material therein; said pod
comprising a lip extending from a body; a pod holder; said pod
holder adapted to receive said pod therein and support solely said
lip of said pod; and an injection head; said injection head
comprising about 136 to 160 kilograms (about 300 to 350 pounds) of
force applied to said lip of said pod.
21. The dispenser of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of
pods.
22. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said pod comprises about
five (5) to about eight (8) grams of a plastic material.
23. The dispenser of claim 20, further comprising a turret assembly
such that said turret assembly comprises said pod holder.
24. The dispenser of claim 20, further comprising an injector
assembly such that said injector assembly comprises said injection
head.
25. The dispenser of claim 24, wherein said injector assembly
comprises a drive mechanism so as to maneuver said injection
head.
26. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein said drive mechanism
maneuvers said injection head about 6.4 to about 12.7 millimeters
(about one-quarter to about one-half inches) in a substantially
vertical direction.
27. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said lip comprises a
substantially flat top surface and said injection head comprises a
sealing ring sized to accommodate said flat top surface.
28. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said injection head provides
water pressurized at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms per square
centimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square inch) to said
pod.
29. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said body comprises a
plurality of spikes therein.
30. A method for preparing a beverage from a beverage material,
comprising: placing the beverage material within a container;
tamping the beverage material down with a lid of said container;
positioning said container within a holder; and injecting said
container with water pressurized water at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms
per square centimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square
inch).
31. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said pod comprises a rigid
pod.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein said container comprises a lip
extending therefrom and wherein said positioning step comprises
supporting said container solely by said lip.
33. An apparatus for mixing a material, comprising: a pod with the
material therein; said pod comprising a lip extending from a body;
a pod holder, said pod holder adapted to receive said pod therein
and support solely said lip of said pod; and an injection head
positioned about said pod holder.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said injection head
comprises water pressurized at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms per square
centimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per square inch).
35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said injection head
comprises about 136 to 160 kilograms (about 300 to 350 pounds) of
force applied to said lip of said pod
36. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of
pods.
37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said pod comprises a rigid
pod.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a container for
brewing material and more particularly relates to a pod for use in
the automatic brewing of coffee, tea, and other beverages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of automatic coffee and tea dispensers are
known. Generally described, these dispensers hold a measure of
ground coffee, tealeaves, or other type of brewable material in a
container of some sort. Hot water generally is added to the
material so as to brew the beverage. The material is generally held
in some sort of disposable container that must be opened or
penetrated so as to allow the hot water to pass therethrough.
[0003] One drawback with these known brewing devices, however, is
that the elements of the device that come into contact with the
brewing material generally must be cleaned. Further, the container
for the material must be inserted and aligned in the dispenser for
each beverage. As a result, the beverage dispenser as a whole may
be somewhat slow between beverage cycles as the container is
inserted, aligned, removed and/or the dispenser elements are
cleaned.
[0004] There is a desire therefore, for a device that brews a
beverage with a quick cycle time. The device preferably should be
relatively inexpensive and easy to use and produce a high quality
beverage. Likewise, the device preferably should be adaptable for
different types of brewing materials and amounts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention thus may provide for a container for
holding ground coffee or tealeaves. The container may include a
body and a lip extending from the body. The lip may include a top
substantially flat surface and a width of no more than about 2.6
millimeters (about 0.1 inch).
[0006] The body may include a sidewall and a base. The base may
include a number of apertures therein, a number of support ribs
thereon, and a number of spikes thereon. Each of the spikes may
include a base surrounded by a number of blades.
[0007] The lip may include a flange extending from the flat
surface. The flange may extend downwardly at an angle so as to form
a pocket with the body. The pocket may include an upper curved
radius.
[0008] The container also may include a lid positioned within the
body. The lid may include a concave shape and a number of apertures
therein. The body may include one or more over-cuts therein for the
lid.
[0009] The container also may include one or more layers of filter
paper positioned within the body. A foil envelope for holding the
ground coffee or the tealeaves also may be used. The container may
be made of polystyrene, polyethylene, or polypropylene.
[0010] A further embodiment of the present invention may provide
for a container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves. The
container may include a base with a number of apertures therein, a
circular sidewall extending from the base, and a lip extending from
the sidewall. The lip may include a top substantially flat surface
and a flange extending downwardly from the flat surface. The flange
may include a width of no more than about 2.6 millimeters (about
0.1 inch). The base may include a number of spikes thereon.
[0011] A further embodiment of the present invention may provide
for a dispenser for brewing a beverage from a beverage material.
The dispenser may include a pod with the beverage material therein,
a pod holder, and an injection head. The pod may include a lip
extending from a body. The pod holder may be adapted to receive the
pod therein and support the lip of the pod. The injection head may
include about 136 to 160 kilograms (about 300 to 350 pounds) of
force applied to the lip of the pod. The dispenser further may
include a number of pods.
[0012] The pod may include about five (5) to about eight (8) grams
of a plastic material. The dispenser further may include a turret
assembly such that the turret assembly may include the pod holder
and an injector assembly such that the injector assembly may
include the injection head. The injector assembly may include a
drive mechanism so as to maneuver the injection head. The drive
mechanism may maneuver the injection head about 6.4 to about 12.7
millimeters (about one-quarter to about one-half inches) in a
substantially vertical direction. The lip may include a
substantially flat top surface and the injection head may include a
sealing ring sized to accommodate the flat top surface. The
injection head provides water pressurized at about 1.4 to 14
kilograms per square centimeter (about 20 to about 200 pounds per
square inch) to the pod. The body may include a number of spikes
therein.
[0013] A method of the present invention may provide for preparing
a beverage from a beverage material. The method may include placing
the beverage material within a container, tamping the beverage
material down with a lid of the container, positioning the lid into
the container, and injecting the container with water pressurized
water at about 1.4 to 14 kilograms per square centimeter (about 20
to about 200 pounds per square inch).
[0014] These and other features of the present invention will
become apparent upon review of the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the
drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage
dispenser system for use with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beverage dispenser system
of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a turret system of the
beverage dispenser system of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an injector assembly of the
beverage dispenser system of FIG. 1, with the guide wheels and the
return spring of the support plate shown in phantom lines.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the injector assembly
of the beverage dispenser system of FIG. 1, with the idler wheel
and the limit switch shown in a cut away view.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a configuration of
brewing material for use with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative
configuration of brewing material for use with the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a pod of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the pod of FIG.
8.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the pod of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the pod of FIG. 8.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the pod of FIG.
8.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the lip of the pod
of FIG. 8.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of a pod of the present invention with a lid thereon
[0029] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the interior wall
of the pod of FIG. 14
[0030] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a pod of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the pod of FIG. 16.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the pod of FIG.
16.
[0033] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a spike used in the pod of
FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/071,643,
entitled "COFFEE AND TEA DISPENSER", is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0035] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer
to like elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 2 show
one application of a beverage dispenser system 100. In these
figures, a pod brewing apparatus 300 is shown. The pod brewing
apparatus 300 may include a heat exchanger 150 positioned within a
hot water reservoir 160 and in communication with an injection
nozzle 200 as is shown. In this embodiment, the elements of the
beverage dispenser system 100 as a whole are mounted onto a
dispenser frame 305. The dispenser frame 305 may be made out of
stainless steel, aluminum, other types of metals, or other types of
substantially noncorrosive materials.
[0036] The injection nozzle 200 may interact with one or more pod
cartridges 210 so as to produce the desired beverage in a cup 230
or any other type of receptacle. The pod cartridges 210 may be
positioned in the beverage dispenser system 100 within a turret
assembly 310. The turret assembly 310 may be fixedly attached to
the dispenser frame 305. As is shown in FIG. 3, the turret assembly
310 may include a turret plate 320 positioned within a turret frame
325. The turret frame 325 may be made out of stainless steel,
aluminum, other types of conventional metals, or similar types of
substantially noncorrosive materials. The turret plate 320 may be
substantially circular. The turret plate 320 may include a number
of pod apertures 330. The pod apertures 330 may be sized to
accommodate the pod cartridges 210. The turret plate 320 may spin
about a turret pin 340. A turret motor 350 may drive the turret
assembly 310. The turret motor 350 may be a conventional AC motor
or a similar type of device. The turret motor 350 may drive the
turret assembly 310 at about six (6) to about thirty (30) rpm, with
about twenty-five (25) rpm preferred.
[0037] The turret plate 320 also may have a number of detents 360
positioned about its periphery. The detents 360 may be positioned
about each of the turret apertures 330. The detents 360 may
cooperate with one or more limit switches 365 so as to control the
rotation of the turret plate 320. The rotation of the plate 320 may
be stopped when the limit switch 360 encounters one of the detents
360.
[0038] Positioned adjacent to the turret assembly 310 may be an
injector assembly 400. The injector assembly 310 may be fixedly
attached to the dispenser frame 305. The injector assembly 400 also
may include an injector frame 410 extending above the turret
assembly 310. The injector frame 410 may be made out of stainless
steel, other types of metals, or similar types of substantially
noncorrosive materials.
[0039] As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the injector assembly 400 may
include the injection nozzle 200 as described above. The injection
nozzle 200 may have a narrow tip so as to penetrate the pod
cartridge 210 if needed or a wide mouth to accommodate the entire
pod cartridge 210. The injector assembly 400 may include an
injector head 420 that cooperates with the injection nozzle 200.
The injector head 420 may be slightly larger in diameter than the
pod cartridges 210. The injector head 420 also may be made out of
stainless steel, plastics, or similar types of substantially
noncorrosive materials. The injector head 420 may include a sealing
ring 430 positioned about its lower periphery. The sealing ring 430
may be made out of rubber, silicone, or other types of elastic
materials such that a substantially water tight seal may be formed
between the injector head 420 and the pod cartridge 210. The heat
exchanger 150 may be in communication with the injector head 420 so
as to provide hot, pressurized water to the pod cartridges 210.
[0040] The injector head 420 may be moveable in a substantially
vertical plane via a cam system 440. (The terms "vertical" and
"horizontal" are used as a frame of reference as opposed to
absolute positions. The injector head 420 and the other elements
described herein may operate in any orientation.) A cam system
drive motor 450 may drive the cam system 440. The drive motor 450
may be a conventional AC motor similar to the turret motor 350
described above. The drive motor 450 also may be a shaded pole or a
DC type motor. The drive motor 450 may rotate an eccentric cam 460
via a drive belt system 470; The drive motor 450 and the gear
system 470 may rotate the eccentric cam 460 at about six (6) to
about thirty (30) rpm, with about twenty-five (25) rpm preferred.
The eccentric cam 460 may be shaped such that its lower position
may have a radius of about 4.1 to about 4.8 centimeters (about 1.6
to 1.9 inches) while its upper position may have a radius of about
3.5 to 4.1 centimeters (about 1.3 to about 1.7 inches).
[0041] The eccentric cam 460 may cooperate with an idler wheel 480.
The idler wheel 480 may be in communication with and mounted within
a support plate 490. The support plate 490 may maneuver about the
injector frame 410. The support plate 490 may be made out of
stainless steel, other types of steel, plastics, or other
materials. The support plate 490 may be fixedly attached to the
injector head 420. The support plate 490 may have a number of guide
wheels 500 positioned thereon such that the support plate 490 can
move in the vertical direction within the injector frame 410. A
return spring 520 also may be attached to the support plate and the
injector frame 410. A limit switch 530 may be positioned about the
cam 460 such that its rotation may not exceed a certain amount.
[0042] The injector head 420 thus may maneuver up and down in the
vertical direction via the cam system 440. Specifically, the drive
motor 450 may rotate the eccentric cam 460 via the gear system 470.
As the eccentric cam 460 rotates with an ever-increasing radius,
the idler wheel 480 pushes the support plate 490 downward such that
the injector head 420 comes in contact with a pod cartridge 210.
The eccentric cam 460 may lower the injector head 420 by about 6.4
to about 12.7 millimeters (about one-quarter to about one-half
inches). Once the injector head 420 comes into contact with the pod
cartridge 210, the eccentric cam 460 may continue to rotate and
increases the pressure on the pod cartridge 210 until the cam 460
reaches the limit switch 530. The injector head 420 may engage the
pod cartridge 210 with a downward force of about 136 to 160
kilograms (about 300 to 350 pounds). The sealing ring 430 thus may
form a substantially airtight and water tight seal about the pod
cartridge 210. The drive motor 450 may hold the cam 460 in place
for a predetermined amount of time. The cam system 440 may then be
reversed such that the injector head 420 returns to its original
position.
[0043] Once the injection nozzle 200 of the injector head 420 is in
contact with the pod cartridge 210, the hot, high pressure water
may flow from the heat exchanger 150 into the injector head 420.
The water may be at about 82 to about 93 degrees Celsius (about 180
to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit). The incoming water flow may be
pressurized at about 11 to about 14 kilograms per square centimeter
(about 160 to 200 pounds per square inch). The pressure of the
water passing through the pod cartridge 210 may be about 1.4 to
about 14 kilograms per square centimeter (about 20 to about 200
pounds per square inch). The pressure of the water flowing through
the pod cartridge 210 may vary with the nature of the beverage.
[0044] As is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pod cartridges 210 may be
filled with different types of grinds, leaves, or other types of a
brewing material 550. In the case of a single serving sized
espresso beverage of about thirty (30) milliliters, about six (6)
to about eight (8) grams of espresso grinds may be placed in the
pod cartridge 210. Likewise, about six (6) to about (8) grams of
coffee grinds may be added to the pod cartridge 210 to produce
about a 240 milliliter (about eight (8) ounce) cup of coffee. About
three (3) to about five (5) grams of tealeaves may be added to the
pod cartridge 210 in order to make about a 150 milliliter (about
five (5) ounce) cup of tea.
[0045] The brewing material 550 may be positioned within one or
more layers of filter paper 560. The filter paper 560 may be
standard filter paper used to collect the brewing material 550
while allowing the beverage to pass therethrough. The pod cartridge
may have an upper filter layer 570 and a lower filter layer 580.
The brewing material 550 itself may be positioned directly between
the upper and lower filter layers 570, 580. Alternatively, the
brewing material 550 may be placed within a foil envelope 590. The
foil envelope 590 may serve to keep the brewing material 550
therein fresh and out of contact with the ambient air.
Alternatively, the entire pod cartridge 210 may be placed within a
foil envelope, either individually or as a group, until the pod 210
is ready for use.
[0046] FIGS. 8-12 show an embodiment of the pod cartridge 210 that
may be used with the beverage dispenser system 100 or in other
types of beverage systems. The pod cartridge 210 may be
substantially in the shape of a cup 600. The cup 600 may be made
out of a conventional thermoplastic such as polystyrene,
polyethylene, or polypropylene. Alternatively, stainless steel or
other types of substantially non-corrosive materials also may be
used. The cup 600 may be substantially rigid.
[0047] The cup 600 may include a substantially circular sidewall
610 and a substantially flat base 620. The sidewall 610 and the
base 620 of the cup 600 may be molded and form a unitary element or
a separate sidewall 610 and a separate base 620 may be fixedly
attached to each other. The sidewall 610 and the base 620, as well
as the cup 600 as a whole, may have any convenient diameter so as
to accommodate the pod apertures 330 of the turret plate 320 of the
turret assembly 310 and the injector head 420 of the injector
assembly 400. Alternatively, the sidewall 610 and the base 620 of
the cup 600 may have any convenient diameter so as to accommodate
other any type of beverage dispenser system 100.
[0048] The sidewall 610 of the cup 600 may have any convenient
depth so as to accommodate an appropriate amount of the brewing
material 550. In this embodiment, the sidewall 610 may have an
inside diameter of about 3.9 centimeters (about 1.535 inches), an
outside diameter of about 4.03 centimeters (about 1.586 inches) and
a wall thickness of about 1.295 millimeters (about 0.051 inches).
The sidewall 610 also may have a depth of about 2.43 centimeters
(about 0.955 inches) with the base 620 having an additional depth
of about 0.318 centimeter (about 0.125 inches). Such a
configuration of the sidewall 610 and the base 620 of the cup 600
may hold about six (6) to about sixteen (16) grams of the brewing
material 550, depending upon the size of the desired beverage,
i.e., eight (8), twelve (12), or sixteen (16) ounces. These
dimensions are for purposes of example only. The sidewall 610 and
the base 620 of the cup 600 may take any desired or convenient size
or shape. For example, the sidewall 610 may be straight, tapered,
stepped, or curved if desired.
[0049] The base 620 also may include a bottom floor 630. The bottom
floor 630 may include a number of apertures 640 formed therein. The
apertures 640 may extend through the width of the floor 630. In
this embodiment, the apertures 640 may be largely circular in shape
with a diameter of about 1.6 millimeters (about 0.063 inches). Any
desired shape or size, however, may be used. In this embodiment,
about 54 apertures 640 are used herein, although any number may be
used. The base 620 also may include a number of support ribs 650
supporting the floor 630. An inner circular rib 660, an outer
circular rib 670, and a number of radial ribs 680 may be used. Any
design or number of ribs 660 may be used. In this embodiment, the
ribs 650 may have a depth of about 2.54 millimeters (about 0.1
inch) and the floor 630 may have a depth of about 1.78 millimeters
(about 0.07 inches), although any desired thickness may be
used.
[0050] The sidewall 610 of the cup 600 also may include an upper
lip 700. The upper lip 700 may include a substantially flat top
portion 710 and a downwardly angled flange 720 extending from the
top portion 710. The flange 720 may extend downwardly so as to form
a pocket 730 with the sidewall 610. The top of the pocket 730 may
form a curved inner radius 735. As is shown in FIG. 13, the
sidewall 610 may or may not include an outer step 740 within the
pocket 730.
[0051] In this embodiment and by way of example only, the flat top
portion 710 of the upper lip 700 may have width of about 2.54
millimeters (about 0.01 inch) extending in the horizontal
direction. The flange 720 may have the length of about 2.2
millimeters (about 0.087 inch). The flange 720 and the pocket 730
of the lip 700 are sized to accommodate the size of the pod
apertures 330. Specifically, the lip 700 is configured to
accommodate the size of the pod apertures 330 and the expected
force of the injector head 420 while using as little material as
possible.
[0052] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the cup 600. In
this embodiment, the sidewall 610 of the cup 600 may include a
number of over-cuts 760 formed therein. In this embodiment, a first
over-cut 770 and a second over-cut 780 may be used. Any number of
over-cuts 760, however, may be used. The over-cuts 760 may be
continuous around the inner circumference of the side wall 610 or
the over-cuts 760 may be intermittent. The over-cut 760 may
cooperate with a lid 790. The lid 790 may have edges 800 that are
substantially wedge shaped to fit and remain within the over-cut
760. The use of the wedge shaped edge 800 ensures that the lid 790
remains in place. The edges 800 may be continuous or intermittent
so as to mate with the over-cut 760. The lid 790 preferably is
bowed inward or largely concave in shape.
[0053] The lid 790 may be placed in the first or second over cut
770, 780 depending upon the amount of brewing material 550 that is
desired to be placed within the cup 600. The lid 790 is bowed
downward so as to tamp the brewing material 550 down under pressure
and to keep the brewing material 550 therein from shifting. The lid
790 may compact the brewing material 550 with at least about nine
(9) kilograms of compressive force (about twenty (20) pounds of
force). The lid 790 also may have a number of apertures 810 therein
so as to permit water from the injector head 420 to pass
therethrough. Depending on the nature of the injector head 420, the
use of the lid 790 may not be necessary. Instead, a foil wrapper or
any other covering may be used. Likewise, the over-cuts 760 also
may be eliminated or modified as desired.
[0054] FIGS. 16-19 show a further embodiment of the present
invention, a spiked pod 850. The spiked pod 850 may use the cup
600, the side wall 610, the base 620, the lip 700, and the elements
thereof as described above with the pod cartridge 210. The spiked
pod 850 also may include a number of spikes 860 positioned along
the floor 630 of the base 620. The spikes 860 may serve to puncture
a package for the brewing material 550 as will be described in more
detail below. In this embodiment, about eighteen (18) spikes 860
may be used. Any desired number of spikes, however, 860 may be
used. The spikes 860 may be aligned along the radial ribs 680 of
the base 620 or elsewhere along the floor 630.
[0055] As is shown in, for example, FIG. 19, the spikes 860 may
include three (3) triangular blades 870 surrounding a base 880. The
tips of the blades 870 may form a puncture area 890. The blades 860
may have any desired shape. The blades 870 may have a height of
about 6.35 millimeters (about 0.25 inch) and the base 880 may have
a height of about 3.8 millimeters (about 0.15 inches) such that the
puncture area 890 may be about 2.54 millimeters (about 0.1 inches)
in length above the base 880. Any desired size, however, may be
used.
[0056] In use, the lower layer 580 of filter paper may be placed
with the cup 600 of the pod cartridge 210. The lower layer 580 may
be positioned along the floor 630 of the base 620. An amount of the
brewing material 550 then may be positioned therein. The upper
layer 570 of the filter paper then may be placed on the brewing
material 550 if desired. The lid 790 then may be placed within the
cup 600 so as to tap down the brewing material 550. Once the lid
790 has compacted the brewing material 550, the edge 800 of the lid
790 is positioned within the appropriate over-cut 760 within the
side wall 610 of the cup 600. The pod 210 then may be sealed or
otherwise shipped for use with the beverage dispenser system 100 or
otherwise.
[0057] The pod 210 may be positioned within one of the pod
apertures 330 in the turret assembly 310. Specifically, the outer
edge of the pod aperture 330 aligns with the flange 720 of the lip
700 of the cup 600. A pod or other device with a convention square
lip would extend too far out of the pod aperture 330 to function
with the injection head 420 of the injector assembly 310. The
injector head 420 then may be positioned about the pod 210. The
sealing ring 630 of the injector head 420 may seal about the top
portion 710 of the lip 700 of the cup 600. The use of a rounded lip
or a lip with a non-flat shape may cause damage to the sealing ring
430 given the amount of pressure involved, i.e., as described
above, the injector head 420 may engage the pod cartridge 210 with
a downward force of about 136 to about 160 kilograms of force
(about 300 to about 350 pounds) and the incoming water flow may be
pressurized at about eleven (11) to about fourteen (14) kilograms
per square centimeter (about 160 to 200 pounds per square inch
(psi)). The pressure of the water flowing through pod cartridge 210
may vary with the nature of the brewing material 550 from about 1.4
to about 14 kilograms per square centimeter (about twenty (20) to
about 200 pounds per square inch).
[0058] The water passing through the injection head 420 may spread
out over the lid 790 and the apertures 810 thereof and into the
brewing material 550. The brewed beverage may then pass through the
apertures 640 in the base 620 of the cup 600.
[0059] The lip 700 as well as the base 620 of the cup 600 are
designed to use as little material as possible while being able to
withstand the water pressures described above with out deformation.
The cup 600 as a whole may have about five (5) to about eight (8)
grams of plastic material therein when using, for example,
polypropylene homopolymer. The configuration of the lip 700 may
save about 0.4 to about 0.6 grams or about ten percent (10%) of the
plastic required.
[0060] In the embodiment of the spiked pod 850, the brewing
material 550 may be positioned within the foil envelope 590. At
least the lower filter layer 580 also may be placed within the cup
600. The injection nozzle 200 may penetrate the foil envelope 590
or water may otherwise flow into the cup 600 with the water
pressure described above. This water pressure may force both the
lower filer layer 580 and the foil envelope 590 against the spikes
860 of the spiked pod 850. This pressure may allow these spikes 860
to penetrate both the lower filter area 580 and the foil envelop
590. The punctures caused by the spikes 860 may allow the brewed
beverage to pass therethrough while substantially maintaining the
remaining brewing material 550 therein. The spikes 860 may provide
substantially uniform penetration of the foil envelope 590. The
brewing material 590 also may be contained within other types of
structures that may be penetrated by the spikes 860.
[0061] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the
preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous
changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims and the equivalents thereof.
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