U.S. patent application number 15/900355 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-21 for beverage delivery pod and method of use and manufacture.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicholas Andrew Hansen.
Application Number | 20180170663 15/900355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43923404 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180170663 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen; Nicholas Andrew |
June 21, 2018 |
BEVERAGE DELIVERY POD AND METHOD OF USE AND MANUFACTURE
Abstract
A pod containing one or more beverage ingredients is provided,
where the pod comprises a generally rigid outer member (12) with an
open top and an outlet opening in the bottom, with an internal
filter (16) adjacent a bottom portion of the outer member, one or
more beverage ingredients disposed above the filter, and a lid (14)
closing the open top. The outer member has an outer peripheral
sidewall (20) defining the open top and extending downwardly from
the open top toward the bottom portion and inwardly converging
toward the outlet opening. The bottom portion of the sidewall
defines a plurality of ribs (36) extending inwardly in the interior
of the outer member toward the outlet opening. Beverage outlet flow
paths are disposed between adjacent ribs and directed toward the
outlet opening. The filter is supported above the outlet opening
and the beverage outlet flow paths by the ribs.
Inventors: |
Hansen; Nicholas Andrew;
(Banbury, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. |
Deerfield |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43923404 |
Appl. No.: |
15/900355 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14003766 |
Oct 24, 2013 |
9932168 |
|
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PCT/US2012/028185 |
Mar 8, 2012 |
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15900355 |
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61450548 |
Mar 8, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 90/10 20150501;
B65D 85/8043 20130101; A47J 31/0668 20130101; B65D 2565/385
20130101; B65D 65/466 20130101; A47J 31/0642 20130101; Y02W 90/13
20150501 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804; A47J 31/06 20060101 A47J031/06; B65D 65/46 20060101
B65D065/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2011 |
GB |
1103953.4 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A beverage pod apparatus comprising: a beverage pod comprising:
a generally rigid outer member including an upper open top; a
filter in an interior of the outer member; a lid attached to the
outer member to close the open top and form a beverage ingredient
compartment, the beverage ingredient compartment being bounded at
an upper end thereof by the lid and at a lower end thereof by the
filter; at least one beverage ingredient in the beverage ingredient
compartment; the lid being pierceable to accommodate an inflow of
an aqueous medium into the beverage ingredient compartment; and a
lower opening of the outer member downstream of the beverage
ingredient compartment, the lower opening having an unblocked
configuration that permits beverage to flow out of the beverage
pod; and a flexible wrapper having barrier properties containing
the beverage pod.
17. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 16 wherein the flexible
wrapper has greater barrier properties than at least one of the
outer member and the lid.
18. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible
wrapper has greater barrier properties than both the outer member
and the lid.
19. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 16 wherein the outer member
includes a bottom portion defining the lower opening and the bottom
portion is configured such that, in use, the beverage pod is at
least partially received in a brew compartment of a beverage
brewing device in a position for dispensing a beverage where the
bottom portion of the outer member is spaced from an upstanding
piercing element of the brewing compartment.
20. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 19 wherein the bottom
portion of the outer member includes a planar annular segment
surrounding the lower opening.
21. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 16 wherein the flexible
wrapper includes flow wrapped film.
22. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 16 wherein the filter
includes woven fibers or non-woven fibers.
23. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 16 wherein the outer member
includes a side wall extending downwardly from the open top toward
the lower opening, the side wall including a bottom portion that
converges inwardly to the lower opening.
24. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 23 wherein the bottom
portion has a dome-shaped profile.
25. The beverage pod apparatus of claim 23 wherein the bottom
portion of the side wall defines a plurality of ribs extending
inwardly in the interior of the outer member, the ribs supporting
the filter in the outer member.
26. A method of dispensing a beverage, the method comprising:
removing a beverage pod including a lower opening in an unblocked
configuration from a flexible wrapper; inserting the beverage pod
into a brew compartment of a beverage brewing device; forming an
opening in an upper lid of the beverage pod; injecting an aqueous
medium through the opening in the lid and into a beverage
ingredient compartment of the beverage pod bounded at an upper end
of the beverage ingredient compartment by the lid and bounded at a
lower end of the beverage ingredient compartment by the filter,
whereby the aqueous medium interacts with at least one beverage
ingredient in the beverage ingredient compartment; and dispensing
beverage from the beverage pod through the lower opening in the
unblocked configuration thereof.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein inserting the beverage pod into
the brew compartment of the beverage brewing device includes
positioning the beverage pod in the brew compartment without
contacting the beverage pod with an outlet piercer of the beverage
brewing device.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein inserting the beverage pod into
the brew compartment of the beverage brewing device includes
positioning a bottom portion of the beverage pod spaced from an
outlet piercer of the brew compartment of the beverage brewing
device.
29. The method of claim 26 wherein removing the beverage pod from
the flexible wrapper includes removing the beverage pod including a
generally rigid outer member that defines the lower opening from
the flexible wrapper.
30. The method of claim 26 wherein dispensing beverage from the
beverage pod through the lower opening includes directing beverage
through an outlet opening of the brew compartment spaced from an
outlet piercer of the brew compartment.
31. The method of claim 26 wherein forming the opening in the upper
lid of the beverage pod includes forming the opening in the upper
lid using an inlet piercer of the beverage brewing device.
Description
FIELD
[0001] A beverage delivery pod is described herein and, in
particular, a sealed beverage delivery pod containing one or more
ingredients for the preparation of beverages.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Single serve beverage brewing systems can have a brewing
machine configured to receive a filtered pod containing a single
serving portion of one or more beverage ingredients, such as coffee
or tea. The brewing machine can be configured in pass heated water
through the pod to form and dispense a beverage therefrom. A
machine can be configured to pierce the top of the pod to inject
water into the pod, as well as to pierce the bottom of the pod to
permit the beverage to exit the pod. The piercing of the pods for
both the injection of water and the exiting of the beverage may not
be desirable for all applications.
[0003] Beverage pods can be constructed from a variety of different
materials and in a variety of different manners, not all of which
lead to cost-effective manufacture and disposal and not all of
which are suitable for use in different beverage brewing systems.
Some beverage pods, for example, can require complex manipulations
of internal elements during assembly. Other beverage pods can
require complicated internal, injection molded components. Beverage
pods are also known to be made with materials that can undesirably
add to their cost.
SUMMARY
[0004] A pod containing one or more beverage ingredients is
provided, where the pod comprises a generally rigid outer member
with an open top and an outlet opening in the bottom, with an
internal filter adjacent a bottom portion of the outer member, one
or more beverage ingredients disposed above the filter, and a lid
closing the open top. The outer member has an outer peripheral
sidewall, which can be generally annular, defining the open top and
extending downwardly from the open top toward the bottom portion
and inwardly converging toward the outlet opening. The bottom
portion of the sidewall defines a plurality of ribs extending
inwardly in the interior of the outer member toward the outlet
opening. Beverage outlet flow paths are disposed between adjacent
ribs and directed toward the outlet opening. The filter, which may
be substantially planer, is supported above the outlet opening and
the beverage outlet flow paths by the ribs.
[0005] In order to facilitate attachment of the filter, the
sidewall includes an inward step about its periphery substantially
coplanar with a top surface portion of the ribs to define an
attachment surface to which the filter can be attached, such as by
using an adhesive or by welding. While a large attachment surface
can simplify attachment of the filter, if too large then more area
of filter will be blocked, thereby decreasing the free flow area.
In one aspect, the filter attached to the attachment surface has a
ratio of free flow area to blocked flow area of between about 3:1
and 4:1, more preferably between about 3.2:1 and 3.7:1, and even
more preferably about 3.4:1.
[0006] To increase the surface area of the filter, including the
free flow area, the filter may be in a conical, including truncated
conical, configuration, whether facing upwardly or downwardly. This
can be accomplished by configuring the top surface portions of the
ribs to extend inwardly toward the outlet opening at an inclination
such that the area of the attachment surface is larger than if the
top surfaces of the ribs, and the filter thereon, were precisely
coplanar.
[0007] The bottom portion of the sidewall can have a semi-circular
or dome-shaped profile, which can be defined at least in part by
curvilinear bottom walls of the outlet flow paths. The outlet flow
paths can also be bounded by upstanding, interior sidewall segments
disposed on opposite sides of each of the bottom walls. Those same
sidewall segments can also form sidewall segments of the adjacent
ribs.
[0008] The bottom portion of the sidewall, including if it is
semi-circular or dome-shaped in profile, can be configured such
that, in use, the pod is at least partially received in a brewing
compartment of a beverage brewing device in a position for
dispensing a beverage where the bottom portion of the sidewall is
spaced from an upstanding piercing element of the brewing
compartment. That is, the bottom portion of the sidewall does not
have to be pierced to dispense a beverage. In one aspect, the
height of the bottom portion is between about 20% and 30% of the
total height of the pod, and more preferably about 25% of the total
height of the pod. In another aspect, the outlet opening can be
surrounded by a substantially planar segment of the sidewall. A
ratio between the diameter of the substantially planar segment to a
maximum diameter of sidewall adjacent the beverage ingredient
compartment can be between about 1:3.7 and 1:4.7.
[0009] The materials used to form the beverage delivery pod can be
selected to facilitate economical manufacture and/or recyclability.
In one aspect, the lid can be formed on a non-metallic, multi-layer
film. By omitting the metallic layer, the lid can more readily be
removed from the outer member to empty remaining beverage
ingredients after use and recycle the lid and/or the outer member.
In another aspect, the outer member can be formed of a corn-based,
biodegradable material. In yet another aspect, the lid and/or the
outer member can be formed of materials lacking enhanced barrier
properties. Instead, one or more pods can be provided within outer
packaging, such as a flexible wrapper, which can provide greater
barrier properties, as compared to the barrier properties of the
lid and/or outer member of the pod.
[0010] A method of dispensing a beverage made from the beverage
ingredients in any of the pods described herein is also provided.
The method includes inserting the pod into a brew compartment of a
beverage brewing device, forming an opening in the lid, and
injecting an aqueous medium into the beverage ingredient
compartment of the pod through the opening in the lid whereby the
aqueous medium interacts with the one or more beverage ingredients
to form a beverage. The method further includes filtering the
beverage through the filter followed by dispensing the beverage
from the beverage delivery pod through the outlet opening. The
method includes optionally providing the pod with the outlet
opening in an unblocked configuration prior to the step of
inserting it into the brew compartment, such that a resultant
beverage can exit the pod without requiring the bottom portion of
the outer member to be pierced.
[0011] A method of manufacturing any of the beverage delivery pods
described herein is also provided. The method can include providing
the outer member, inserting the filter into the outer member,
attaching the filter to the ribs in the bottom portion of the outer
member and to at least substantially a peripheral portion of the
sidewall surrounding the ribs, depositing the one or more beverage
ingredients into the outer member above the filter, and attaching
the lid to the outer member above the one or more beverage
ingredients to close the beverage ingredient compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a beverage delivery pod,
showing an outer member with an attached lid;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage
delivery pod of FIG. 1, showing the lid, an internal filter and the
outer member, with the beverage ingredient omitted;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer member of the
beverage delivery pod of FIG. 1, showing inwardly extending, raised
ribs in the interior of a bottom portion of the outer member with
outlet flow paths therebetween directed toward an outlet
opening;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the outer member of the
beverage delivery pod of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the beverage
delivery pod of FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 as indicated on FIG. 4
(with the lid, beverage ingredient, and filter omitted for clarity)
and showing the lid, beverage ingredient, filter and curvilinear
walls defining in part the outlet flow paths;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the beverage
delivery pod of FIG. 1, taken along line 6-6 as indicated on FIG. 4
(with the lid, beverage ingredient, and filter omitted for clarity)
and showing the lid, beverage ingredient, filter and ribs; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-section elevation view of the beverage
delivery pod similar to that of FIG. 5, but showing the pod
disposed in a brew compartment of a beverage brewing device and
with the bottom portion of the outer member being spaced from a
bottom piercing element of the brew compartment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The beverage delivery pod 10 generally comprises outer
member 12 for containing one or more beverage ingredients 18, a
filter 16 supported in a bottom portion of the outer member 12, and
a lid 14 closing a top portion of the outer member 12, as
illustrated in whole or in part in FIGS. 1-7. In use, the beverage
delivery pod 10 is configured to have its lid 14 pierced to form an
opening through which an aqueous medium, typically water, is
introduced. The one or more beverage ingredients can be, for
example, roast and ground coffee or leaf tea. Other exemplary
beverage ingredients include liquid coffee, chocolate or
combinations thereof. The aqueous medium mixes with the one or more
beverage ingredients 18 in the pod 10 to form a beverage which is
passed through the filter 16 and dispensed through an outlet
opening 34 disposed in the bottom portion of the outer member
12.
[0020] The beverage delivery pod 10 of the exemplary embodiment is
configured to permit dispensing of the beverage without requiring
the outer member 12 to be pierced. Instead, the beverage is
permitted flow out of the outlet opening 34 disposed in the bottom
portion of the outer member 12, as depicted in FIG. 7. The beverage
delivery pod 10 of the exemplary embodiment is also configured to
facilitate manufacturing, including providing the conical filter 16
which is supported in an elevated position above the outlet opening
34. The beverage delivery pod 10 of the exemplary embodiment is
further configured to use reduced-cost components which can be
readily recyclable.
[0021] Turning first to the configuration of the beverage delivery
pod 10, the outer member 12 is generally in the shape of an annular
cup, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4. The outer member 12 includes an
outer sidewall 20 which forms the radially-outward boundary of the
beverage delivery pod 10 as well as the bottom portion thereof. The
sidewall includes a peripheral flange 22 extending radially outward
from a top edge of an upper segment 26 of the sidewall 20, as
depicted in FIG. 1, and surrounding an open top of the pod 10. The
peripheral flange 22 provides a surface against which the perimeter
portion of the lid 14 is sealed. The diameter is reduced at an
inwardly extending upper step 28 positioned at a lower edge of the
upper segment 26 of the sidewall 20. A middle segment 30 of the
sidewall 20 extends downwardly from a radially-inward edge of the
upper step 28 to an outward edge of a lower step 32. The lower step
32 is at the transition of the sidewall 20 from the middle segment
30 to a lower, dome-shaped bottom portion 24 which represents the
bottom of the outer member 12.
[0022] Both the upper segment 26, middle segment 30 and the bottom
portion 24 are continuously tapered inwardly, with the taper of the
upper and middle segments 26 and 30 being substantially constant
and the taper of the bottom portion 24 increasing, such that the
diameter of the outer member 12 and thus the pod 10 decreases from
top to bottom. Such a tapered configuration can facilitate
withdrawal of the outer member 12 from a mold during formation, as
well as facilitating insertion and location within a beverage
machine. The steps 28 and 32 can function to increase the hoop
strength of the outer member 12, thereby permitting the thickness
and therefore the amount of material used to form the outer member
12 to be minimized. One or both of the steps 28 and 32 can also
facilitate location and support during filling operations.
[0023] The bottom portion 24 of the sidewall 20 of the outer member
12 includes a plurality of raised, inwardly extending ribs 36, as
depicted in FIGS. 2-4. The ribs 36 surround the outlet opening 34,
as depicted in FIG. 4. Disposed between the ribs 36 are flow
channels which define at least in part outlet flow paths through
which, in use, the beverage can pass through downstream of the
filter 16 during flow toward the outlet opening 34. The ribs 36 and
interspersed flow channels are with reference to the interior of
the outer member 12. When viewed from the exterior, the ribs 36
appear to be grooves and the boundaries of the flow channels appear
to be protruding elements separated by the grooves. Although six
ribs 36 and flow channels are depicted in the figures, other
numbers could be used, such as two or preferably three or more ribs
and a corresponding number of flow channels.
[0024] The ribs 36 begin at an inward edge of the lower step 32 and
are each defined by a pair of inwardly extending sidewall segments
40 and an inward front wall 42, as depicted in FIG. 4. Each of the
ribs 38 also has a substantially planar top surface 44. The top
surfaces 44 of the ribs 36 are substantially coplanar with the
inner-facing surface of the lower step 32, such that the
inner-facing surface of the lower step 32 forms a ring around the
ribs 36, for purposes that will be described below.
[0025] The flow channels also begin at the inward edge of the lower
step 32 and are each bounded on their bottom by a curvilinear
bottom wall 38 and on their sides by the same sidewall segments 40
as define adjacent ribs 36. The curvilinear bottom walls 38
function to guide the beverage passing through the filter toward
the outlet opening 34 is a generally smooth manner, e.g., free of
obstructions or changes in direction of flow. The flow channels are
each directed to a common space disposed about the outlet opening
34, where the flows can collide and combine to form one or more
streams of beverage exiting the outlet opening 34, as illustrated
in FIG. 7. Ones of the curvilinear bottom walls 38 combine to
provide the dome-shaped appearance of the bottom portion 24 of the
sidewall 20 of the outer member 12, such as when viewed in side
elevation, as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0026] The inner-facing surface of the lower step 32 and the top
surfaces 44 of the ribs 36 cooperate to form a substantially flat
surface to which the filter 16 can be adhered. At least part of the
substantially flat surface acts as an attachment surface, which is
the portion to which the filter 16 is attached in a manner that
impedes flow through the filter at the attachment surface. The
adherence can be accomplished using an adhesive, welding or other
suitable ways of attachment. The attachment to the inner-facing
surface of the lower step 32 is preferably substantially
continuous, and more preferably completely continuous, so that most
if not all of the beverage has to pass through the filter 16 before
exiting through the outlet opening 34. The top surfaces 44 of the
ribs 36 can help to support the filter 16 in an elevated position
above the outlet opening 34 to provide a sufficiently dispersed
area of the filter 16 such that the beverage passes through more of
the unattached surface area of the filter 16 as opposed to being
highly concentrated in a region immediately above or adjacent to
the outlet opening 34, as could result if the filter were
unsupported inwardly of the lower step 32. However, the attachment
surface can block fluid flow through the immediately adjacent
portion of the filter 16. This attachment surface is preferably
minimized to a degree such that there still remains the vast
majority of the surface area of the filter 16 free from attachment,
i.e., unblocked by the attachment surface, while still providing
for sufficient support to maintain the filter 16 in its elevated
position during the pressurization and filtration during dispensing
of a beverage. In a preferred embodiment, the filter 16 has a ratio
of free flow area to blocked flow area of between about 3:1 and
4:1, more preferably between about 3.2:1 and 3.7:1, and even more
preferably about 3.4:1. A larger unblocked surface area can result
in reduced pressure requirements for forcing the beverage through
the filter.
[0027] In order to increase the unblocked surface area of the
filter 16, the filter 16 can be in a conical arrangement. That is,
the center portion of the filter 16 is not precisely coplanar with
the outer periphery thereof, but could be conical, including
truncated conical, in shape. For example, the filter 16 can have an
angle of inclination toward its center portion of between about 10
and 15 or 20 degrees, more preferably between about 20 and 40
degrees, and, in an exemplary embodiment, even more preferably
about 30 degrees. The filter 16 could have a height less than its
diameter. For instance, an angle of inclination of 30 degrees in a
filter having a diameter of 37 mm can increase the total area of
the filter 16 from 1007 mm.sup.2 if precisely planar to 1165
mm.sup.2. While the conical shape can either be directed upwardly
or downwardly to increase the surface area, it is preferred that
the conical shape of the filter 16 be directed downwardly toward
the outlet opening 34. The filter could alternatively be
substantially planar.
[0028] In order to achieve the conical shape of the filter 16, the
top surfaces 44 of the ribs 36 can be slightly inclined, either
upwardly or downwardly, at the same or generally the same angle of
inclination as is desired for the filter 16. Furthermore, the top
surfaces 44 of the ribs 36 can be inwardly tapered or narrowed such
that there is lesser support or blocked surface area of the filter
16 toward its center portion, which is where the beverage will tend
to exit.
[0029] Turning now to details of the material and construction of
the components of the beverage delivery pod 10, the outer member 12
in the exemplary embodiment is of thin walled, generally rigid
construction. By generally rigid, what is meant is that the
structure has the ability to generally retain its respective shape
during normal handling, and if deformed will tend to return toward
its original shape. The outer member 12 is preferably formed of a
biodegradable polymer material, such as a corn-based material.
Suitable materials include degradable polyethylene (for example,
SPITEK supplied by Symphony Environmental, Borehamwood, United
Kingdom), biodegradable polyester amide (for example, BAK 1095
supplied by Symphony Environmental), poly lactic acids (PLA
supplied by Cargill, Minn., USA), starch-based polymers, cellulose
derivatives and polypeptides.
[0030] The filter 16 is preferably made from a material with a high
wet strength, for example a non-woven fibre material of polyester.
Other materials which may be used include a water-impermeable
cellulosic material, such as a cellulosic material comprising woven
paper fibres. The woven paper fibres may be admixed with fibres of
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and/or polyethylene. The
incorporation of these plastic materials into the cellulosic
material renders the cellulosic material heat-sealable to the
surface portions 44 of the ribs 36 and the inner-facing surface of
the lower step 32. The filter 16 may also be treated or coated with
a material which is activated by heat and/or pressure so that it
can be sealed to the attachment surfaces.
[0031] The lid 14 is preferably a multi-layer film, made from one
or more polypropylene (PP) or filled polypropylene layers and a
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer. In one example, the lid 14
can have the following layers: PP (about 25 microns), filled PP
(about 60 microns), PP (about 25 microns) and PET (about 23
microns). Preferably, though not necessarily, the lid 14 is free of
metallic layers, such as an aluminum foil layer. This can permit
the lid 14 to be more readily removed from attachment to the flange
22 of the sidewall 20 of the outer member 12 without leaving
metallic remnants behind. This can permit the lid 14 to be removed
from the outer member 12 after use, the contents dumped or
otherwise removed, and the outer member 12 ready to be
recycled.
[0032] Both the lid 14 and the outer member 12 can lack traditional
barrier layers. Elimination of the barrier layers can reduce the
costs of the components. In order to provide the barrier properties
for suitable shelf life of the beverage delivery pods 10, outer
packaging for one or groups of two or more of the pods 10 can be
provided, such as an outer wrapper, which may be in the form of a
flow wrapped film.
[0033] The beverage delivery pod 10 can be configured for use in a
beverage brewing device having a brew compartment 100 defined by an
outer wall 104, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The peripheral flange 22
of the outer member 12 of the pod 10 can be supported on an upper
part 102 of the outer wall 104 of the brew compartment 100. The pod
10 can be configured such that it is not pierced by a bottom
piercing member 110 of a bottom wall 106 of the compartment 100
when fully inserted to a degree sufficient for brewing. The outlet
opening 34 of the bottom part 24 of the sidewall 20 of the outer
member 12 is preferably open, e.g., it does not require piercing.
While it can be completely open, it also can be initially closed,
such as with a label that can be removed prior to insertion in the
brew compartment 100 or a dissolvable plug disposed in the pod 10
to block the outlet opening 34 until dissolved by the dispensing
beverage, heat or other present, non-mechanical factors.
[0034] A method of dispensing a beverage made from the beverage
ingredients in any of the pods described herein is also provided.
The method includes inserting the pod 10 into a brew compartment
100 of a beverage brewing device, forming an opening in the lid 14,
such as by using an inlet piercer 112, and injecting an aqueous
medium into the beverage ingredient compartment of the pod 10
through the opening in the lid 14 and the inlet piercer 112,
whereby the aqueous medium interacts with the one or more beverage
ingredients 18 to form a beverage. The method further includes
filtering the beverage through the filter 16 followed by dispensing
the beverage from the beverage delivery pod 16 through the outlet
opening 34 and into the brew compartment 100, and from the brew
compartment 100 through an outlet 108 thereof. The method includes
optionally providing the pod 10 with the outlet opening 34 in an
unblocked configuration prior to the step of inserting it into the
brew compartment 100, such that a resultant beverage can exit the
pod 10 without requiring the bottom portion of the outer member 12
to be pierced, such as by a piercer 110 associated with the bottom
106 of the brew compartment 100.
[0035] A method of manufacturing any of the beverage delivery pods
10 described herein is also provided. The method can include
providing the outer member 12, inserting the filter 16 into the
outer member 12, attaching the filter 16 to the ribs 36 in the
bottom portion of the outer member and to at least substantially a
peripheral portion of the inner-facing surface of the lower step 32
surrounding the ribs 36, depositing the one or more beverage
ingredients 18 into the outer member 12 above the filter 16, and
attaching the lid 14 to the outer member 12 above the one or more
beverage ingredients 18 to close the beverage ingredient
compartment.
[0036] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that beverage
delivery pods, methods of use and methods of manufacture are
provided. However, numerous modifications and variations could be
made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the description herein and as set forth in the claims.
* * * * *