Abstract: A Gasket for a beverage pod, comprising: A beverage pod comprising an exterior portion and an interior portion, A gasket disposed about the exterior portion of the beverage pod, wherein the gasket provides a seal between a brewing device and the exterior portion of the beverage pod, the seal thereby providing a means to maintain a pressure differential between the interior portion of the beverage pod and the exterior portion of the beverage pod.

Abstract: Proposed is an apparatus and method for creating a formed article comprised of at least one layer of thermoplastic and at least one layer of cellulose fibers to create a composite article. The formed article may additionally be compressed to further reduce its thickness and improve its look and feel as well as mechanical properties.

Abstract: A beverage pod is provided. The beverage pod includes an outer shell having a bottom layer and a lid opposite the bottom layer. The lid is operable to be breached by a fluid injecting component of a beverage brewing machine so that a liquid can be injected into the beverage pod. The liquid mixes with a beverage material contained in a filter to form a beverage. The bottom layer is operable to be breached by a brewing pin from a beverage brewing machine. Upon breach of the bottom layer by the brewing pin, the beverage flows out of an outlet created by the brewing pin.

Abstract: A system and method for molding, forming, and annealing an article of manufacture using a series of molds are disclosed. Such systems and methods may melt degradable thermoplastic materials that are then injected into a first mold to form an article of manufacture. This article may then be moved to a second mold where the formed article is annealed. The second mold may be heated based on operation of a heating element that heats the annealing mold. This annealing process may condition materials in the formed article to enhance properties of the article. For example, annealing may improve thermal resistance of the article. Systems of the present disclosure may employ two molds, one mold that forms articles and a second mold that anneals articles to facilitate a continuous production beverage pods using environmentally friendly materials.

Abstract: A fully compostable beverage capsule may be produced by improving the seal strength between the capsule and its lid. In this invention, a number of protruding “spikes” are added to the upper and/or lower edges of the capsule. The lidding is then attached to the capsule via an energetic welding process, such as ultrasonic welding. The protruding “spikes” are deformed during this welding, increasing the surface area contact between the capsule and its lidding. Acting similarly to rivets, these spikes will improve the strength of the seal that forms between the lidding and the capsule.

Abstract: A fully compostable beverage capsule may be produced by improving the seal strength between the capsule and its lid. Additionally, the lid itself may be made more resistant to the stress that occurs during brewing. In this invention, the lidding material is cut one or more times to produce a pattern similar to the blades of a pinwheel. The sections or “blades” are then overlapped and energetically welded to one another and joined to the beverage capsule. In this process, the double thickness of lidding material improves the seal between the lidding and the capsule. Each “blade” of the lidding has its own point of attachment to the capsule, which helps to isolate any stress that may occur during the beverage brewing process. As a result, the lidding as a whole remains securely attached to the capsule, even if one or two blades experience sufficient stress to trigger delamination.

Abstract: A fully compostable beverage capsule may be produced by improving the seal strength between the capsule and its lid. In this invention, a number of protruding tabs are added to the upper and/or lower edges of the capsule. The lidding is then attached to the capsule via an energetic welding process, such as ultrasonic welding. In this process, the protruding tabs are folded over the edge of the capsule and deformed, increasing the surface area contact between the capsule and its lidding. Acting similarly to a swage fitting, these spikes will improve the strength of the seal that forms between the lidding and the capsule.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to single use beverage dispensing containers or pods that are used to make beverages from materials that may have limited solubility. Beverage pods of the present disclosure may be made to break open along a bottom surface of the pod when the pod is placed into a beverage making machine. When the beverage pod capsule comes into contact with a piercing element of a beverage making machine, thinner or embossed parts of the beverage pod may be stressed and crack open forming a breakaway opening that exceeds the diameter of a hole in the beverage machine's piercing element. A flow of liquid provided to a top of the beverage pod would mix with a beverage making material and the liquid and the material could escape the pod through the breakaway opening in the beverage pod.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a beverage capsule for use in a brewed beverage machine including a piercing element, the capsule comprising: a container defining an interior volume including a base configured for being perforated upon contact with a piercing element; a filter assembly disposed in the interior volume and dividing the interior volume into a first chamber for receiving beverage ingredients and a brewing medium and a second chamber, the assembly comprising: a filter element; and a registration element disposed above the filter element and configured for disposing the filter assembly into the container, wherein the filter element separates the registration element from the second chamber and is arranged to be contacted and pierced by the piercing element.

Abstract: A beverage pod can include an outer shell which has a breakaway bottom. When a brewing pin from a beverage brewing machine impacts the breakaway bottom, at least a portion of the breakaway bottom can separate from the outer shell, and the brewing pin can be received by the breakaway bottom. The breakaway bottom can then abut and displace at least a portion of the filter, and/or the breakaway bottom separating from the outer shell can create an outlet through which beverage can be extracted.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed methods for making and to features that may be included in a single-use beverage dispensing container. Such containers are commonly referred to as beverage pods. Such beverage pods are commonly used in offices and in residences where individuals wish to make a single cup of coffee, tea, chocolate, or other beverage. Features that may be included in beverage pods of the present disclosure include an agitation device that redirects a flow of a fluid injected into the beverage pod when a beverage is made. This redirected fluid flow may increase an amount of turbulence within a beverage pod such that soluble materials like a chocolate powder are more effectively dissolved into the fluid, or this turbulence may increase the efficiency of extracting materials from non-soluble beverage making materials such as coffee or tea.

Abstract: A beverage pod is provided. The beverage pod includes an outer shell, a filter, and a shelf. The outer shell has a bottom layer, a lid opposite the bottom layer, and side walls between the bottom layer and the lid. The bottom layer is operable to be breached by a brewing pin from a beverage brewing machine. The filter forms a chamber operable to contain a beverage material. The beverage material is operable to mix with a liquid to form a beverage. The shelf supports a shape of at least a portion of the filter. The shelf forms a receiving portion operable to receive the brewing pin. The receiving portion has substantially a toroidal shape.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for making beverage containers that deteriorate after they are disposed of. Beverage containers or cartridges of the present disclosure may be similar to conventional non-biodegradable single-use coffee beverage pods or cartridges. Beverage containers of the present disclosure may be made from two or more different types of materials that readily decompose in the environment based on the different types of materials having different characteristics. For example, a first material may have a low porosity and be more hydrophobic than a second material that decomposes faster than the first material. Decomposition of the second material may cause the first material to decompose faster than it normally would as this accelerated decomposition may be based on the first material being in close proximity to microbes decomposing the second material.

Abstract: Single-serving beverage pods can include a first chamber operable to contain a dry beverage material and a second chamber operable to contain a second beverage material. A seal layer is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to prevent fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The seal layer can be operable to be breached by a brewing pin such that the brewing pin is received in the second chamber. The second beverage material can then be removed from the beverage pod via the brewing pin.

Abstract: Single-serve ingredient packages made from materials which are biodegradable and compostable and which are derived from readily renewable resources environmentally advantageous and may be used to brew beverages such as coffee, tea, and cocoa; the capsule comprising an outer sleeve, a cup disposed in the outer sleeve, a multilayered filtering element disposed in the cup that divides the interior space of the cup into first and second chambers, a lid that hermetically seals the first chamber of the cup, and a beverage medium that is disposed within the first chamber of the cup.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a beverage cartridge comprising an outer container, a sleeve for inserting into the outer container, and a filter support for inserting into the sleeve and for supporting a filtering material. The filter support comprises: (a) a first element comprising a first perimetral edge, a second perimetral edge opposite the first perimetral edge, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the sidewall comprising: (i) one or more channels extending between the first perimetral edge and the second perimetral edge; and (ii) one or more apertures disposed in the sidewall; and (b) a second element coupled to the first element at the second perimetral edge, the second element comprising a base of the filter support. The beverage cartridge is manufactured of materials that are biodegradable and compostable.

Abstract: A beverage cartridge comprising an outer container, a sleeve, and a support device adapted for supporting a filter element. The sleeve comprises one or more protrusions extending towards the interior of the sleeve, and the support device comprises one or more recesses adapted for receiving the one or more protrusions. The outer container, the sleeve, and the support device are securely engaged. The outer container is made of a biodegradable and compostable fibre material such as, but not limited to, polylactic acid, bamboo, bagasse, or a combination thereof. At least a part of the sleeve and support device is made of a biodegradable and compostable material such as, but not limited to, polylactic acid, or a combination of biodegradable and compostable materials. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the beverage cartridge, and use of the support device in the manufacture of the beverage cartridge.

Abstract: Single-serve ingredient packages made from materials which are biodegradable and compostable and which are derived from readily renewable resources environmentally advantageous and may be used to brew beverages such as coffee, tea and cocoa.

Abstract: Single-serve ingredient packages made from materials which are biodegradable and compostable and which are derived from readily renewable resources environmentally advantageous and may be used to brew beverages such as coffee, tea and cocoa.

Abstract: Single-serve ingredient packages made from materials which are biodegradable and compostable and which are derived from readily renewable resources environmentally advantageous and may be used to brew beverages such as coffee, tea and cocoa.