CARTRIDGE FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER

Abstract

A cartridge for a beverage dispenser includes a top that has a perimeter forming an opening therein, an intermediate portion connected to the top, and a bottom connected to the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has at least five openings formed therein. The intermediate portion forms a receiving space between the top and the bottom.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. ______. entitled Single Serving Beverage Container, filed Dec. 23, 2013, the contents of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to cartridges for beverage dispensers, particularly cartridges for single serve beverage dispensers.

BACKGROUND

Single serve beverage dispensers utilize cartridges that are used to brew, for example, one cup of coffee. The top of the cartridge is covered with a sealing layer. The sealing layer is punctured, and heated water is injected through the hole into the cartridge to extract the brew of coffee from the grounds in the cartridge. The bottom of the cartridge is subsequently punctured, and the coffee is filtered out through the hole in the bottom of the cartridge. However, this method does not control the flow rate of the water, leading to variation of the brew. The water temperature should be at least 79 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, if the water is not in contact with the coffee (or other granulated product) for a sufficient duration, the coffee brew will be of inconsistent flavor. Also, cartridges are often not shipped in an efficient manner. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cartridge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a side elevational and view of a cartridge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of a cartridge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a cartridge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of multiple cartridges stacked in a nested manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group, series and the like.

The present disclosure provides for a cartridge for a beverage dispenser that can include a top that has a perimeter forming an opening therein, an intermediate portion connected to the top, and a bottom connected to the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion can have at least five openings formed therein. The intermediate portion can form a receiving space between the top and the bottom.

The cartridge can be made of a polymer. The polymer can have a melting point greater than 95 degrees Celsius. In at least one embodiment, the melting point of the polymer can be about 210 degrees Celsius to about 220 degrees Celsius. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge can be made of polypropylene homopolymer (including, the filtration material). The cartridge can be made of biodegradable and/or recyclable. The density of the polymer can be about 0.90 g/cm³. The melt flow index of the polymer can be about 16.

The opening can be closed with a lid coupled with the perimeter of the top. In at least one embodiment, the lid can be made of polyester. The lid can be heat sealed to the top. The heat sealing temperature range can be about 180 degrees Celsius to about 200 degree Celsius.

In at least one embodiment, the at least five openings in the intermediate portion can be covered with a filtration material. In at least one embodiment, the filtration material can be removable from the cartridge. In other embodiments, the filtration material can be permanently coupled to the cartridge. The filtration material can be made of a compatible, recyclable material as its parent construction. So far or other suitable material.

In at least one embodiment, the top and the bottom of the cartridge can be substantially circular. A width of the top can be greater than a width of the bottom. In at least one embodiment, the intermediate portion can be tapered from the top to the bottom. The intermediate portion can have an upper portion proximate the top and a lower portion proximate the bottom. A stepped portion can connect the upper portion and the lower portion. In at least one embodiment, the bottom of one cartridge can be receivable in the receiving portion of another cartridge in a nesting configuration. Thus, the stepped portion of the received cartridge can abut the top of the receiving cartridge, when nested.

In at least one embodiment, the bottom of the cartridge can have at least five openings formed therein corresponding to the five openings in the intermediate portion. In at least one embodiment, the five openings in the bottom can be proximate the five openings in the intermediate portion and separated therefrom by a perimeter of an outer edge of the bottom. In other embodiments, the five openings in the bottom can be proximate the five openings in the intermediate portion and share at least one side.

In at least one embodiment, at least three of the five openings in the bottom can be the same size as each other, and at least two of the five openings in the bottom can be the same as each other. In other embodiments, the five openings in the bottom can be the same size.

In at least one embodiment, a height of the five openings can be at least 30% of a height of the cartridge.

The cartridge can contain any granulated material such as coffee, tea or soup in the receiving space. In other embodiments, the cartridge can contain any material that can be steeped to create a beverage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cartridge 100 for a beverage dispenser (not shown) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The cartridge 100 can include a top 102, an intermediate portion 108 connected to the top 102, and a bottom 112 connected to the intermediate portion 108. The intermediate portion 108 can form a receiving space 130 between the top 102 and the bottom 112. In at least one embodiment, the receiving space 130 can receive coffee grounds (or a different granulated material). In other embodiments, the receiving space 130 can receive tea leaves or any material that can be steeped to create a beverage. The intermediate portion 108 can have two or more openings 110 formed therein. In at least one embodiment, the intermediate portion 108 can have at least five openings 110 formed therein.

The cartridge 100 can be made of a polymer. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge 100 can be made of polypropylene homopolymer. The cartridge 100 can be recycled and maintain reusability and structural integrity after being subjected to multiple uses. In at least one embodiment, the melting point of the cartridge 100 can be greater than 79 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, the melting point of the cartridge 100 can be greater than 95 degrees Celsius. In yet other embodiments, the melting point of the cartridge 100 can be about 210 degrees Celsius to about 220 degrees Celsius. The density of the polymer can be about 0.90 g/cm³. The melt flow index of the polymer can be about 16.

The top 102 can have a perimeter 104 forming an opening 106 therein. In at least one embodiment, the top 102 and the bottom 112 can be substantially circular. In other embodiments, the top 102 and the bottom 112 can be any shape, for example rectangular, ovoid, or triangular. In yet other embodiments, the top 102 and the bottom 112 are not the same shape. The bottom 112 can be flat to allow for efficient packaging.

FIG. 2A shows an example embodiment of a cartridge 100. As shown in FIG. 2A, a width of the top 102 of the cartridge can be greater than a width of the bottom 112. The intermediate portion 108 can be tapered 116 from the top 102 to the bottom 112. In at least one embodiment, the intermediate portion can have an upper portion 118 proximate the top 102 and a lower portion 125 proximate the bottom 112. A stepped portion 122 can connect the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 125. In at least one embodiment, a width of the step portion 122 can correspond to a width of the bottom 112. When stacked, one cartridge 100 can fit within the receiving space 130 of another cartridge 100 in a nesting configuration. In at least one embodiment, when in a nesting configuration, the bottom 112 of one cartridge 100 can abut the top 102 of the receiving cartridge 100.

FIG. 2B shows another example embodiment of a cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 illustrated in FIG. 2B is similar to that of FIG. 2A, except that the openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 are of a different size. Specifically, the openings 110 in FIG. 2B have a greater height than those in FIG. 2A.

The openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 can have a height H of at least 30% of the height of the cartridge 100. In at least one embodiment, the height H of the openings 110 in the intermediate portion can be at least 10.95 millimeters. The openings 110 can be spaced by distance W, which in at least one embodiment is nine millimeters.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the top 102 can have a diameter of 52.5 millimeters. The diameter of the opening 106 in the top 102 can have a diameter of 46.5 millimeters. The height of the perimeter 104 of the top 102 can be 0.85 millimeters. The height of the upper portion 118 can be 7.8 millimeters. The height of the lower portion 125 can be 27.85 millimeters. The diameter of the bottom 112 can be 37 millimeters. The height of cartridge 100 (the height of the intermediate portion 108 plus the height of the perimeter 104) can be 36.5 millimeters.

The openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 can be covered with a filtration material 114. The filtration material 114 can be used to prevent material in the receiving portion 130 from leaving the cartridge 100, only allowing the liquid beverage through. The filtration material 114 can be made of polyester or a blend of polyester and nylon, or other suitable material, as discussed above. In at least one embodiment, the filtration material 114 can be removably coupled to the cartridge 100. In other embodiments, the filtration material 114 can be permanently coupled to the cartridge 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom 112 can have openings 132 formed therein which correspond to the openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108. The openings can be covered with suitable filtration material 114. The openings 132 in the bottom 112 can be proximate the openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 and share at least one side. In at least one embodiment, at least three of the five openings 132 in the bottom 112 are the same size as each other, and at least the other two of the five openings 132 in the bottom are the same size as each other. The steeping time of the beverage can be controlled by the area of the openings 110, 132 in the intermediate portion 108 and the bottom 112 and the filtration material 114.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of the cartridge 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 132 in the bottom 112 are proximate the openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 and separated therefrom by a perimeter 134 of an outer edge 136 of the bottom 112.

In at least one embodiment, a cartridge 100 can be configured such that it can receive another cartridge and be received by another cartridge in a nested fashion. FIG. 6 is an isometric view of multiple cartridges 100 stacked in a nested manner. Such nesting can make shipping of cartridges more efficient and less expensive than would otherwise be the case.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms use in the claims.

Claims

1. A cartridge (100) for a beverage dispenser, the cartridge (100) comprising:

a top (102) having a perimeter (104) forming an opening (106) therein;

an intermediate portion (108) connected to the top (102), the intermediate portion (108) having at least five openings (110) formed therein; and

a bottom (112) connected to the intermediate portion (108),

wherein the intermediate portion (108) forms a receiving space (130) between the top (102) and the bottom (112).

2. The cartridge (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least five openings (110) in the intermediate portion (108) are covered with a filtration material (114).

3. The cartridge (100) of claim 2, wherein the filtration material comprises polyester or a blend of polyester and nylon.

4. The cartridge (100) of claim 1, wherein the top (102) and the bottom (112) are substantially circular.

5. The cartridge (100) of claim 4, wherein a width of the top (102) is greater than a width of the bottom (112).

6. The cartridge (100) of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion (108) is tapered (116) from the top (102) to the bottom (112).

7. The cartridge (100) of claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion (108) has an upper portion (118) proximate the top (102) and a lower portion (125) proximate the bottom, and a stepped portion (122) connecting the upper portion (118) and the lower portion (125).

8. The cartridge (100) of claim 2, wherein the bottom (112) has at least five openings (132) formed therein corresponding to the five openings (110) in the intermediate portion (108).

9. The cartridge (100) of claim 8, wherein the five openings (132) in the bottom (112) are proximate the five openings (110) in the intermediate portion (108) and separated therefrom by a perimeter (134) of an outer edge (136) of the bottom (112).

10. The cartridge (100) of claim 8, wherein the five openings (132) in the bottom (112) are proximate the five openings (110) in the intermediate portion (108) and share at least one side.

11. The cartridge (100) of claim 8, wherein at least three of the five openings (132) in the bottom (112) are the same size as each other, and at least two of the five openings (132) in the bottom (112) are the same size as each other.

12. The cartridge (100) of claim 2, wherein a height of the five openings is at least 30% of a height of the cartridge.

13. The cartridge (100) of claim 1, wherein the cartridge (100) is made of a polymer.

14. The cartridge (100) of claim 13, wherein the polymer is polypropylene.

15. A cartridge (100) having a height of 36.5 millimeters for a beverage dispenser, the cartridge (100) comprising:

a top (102) having a diameter of 52.5 millimeters and having a perimeter (104) forming an opening (106) therein, the opening (106) having a diameter of 46.5 millimeters;

an intermediate portion (108) connected to the top (102), the intermediate portion (108) having at least five openings (110) formed therein; and

a bottom (112) connected to the intermediate portion (108), the bottom having a diameter of 37 millimeters,

wherein the intermediate portion (108) forms a receiving space (130) between the top (102) and the bottom (112); and

wherein the intermediate portion (108) has an upper portion (118) having a height of 7.8 millimeters, proximate the top (102), and a lower portion (125) having a height of 27.85 millimeters, proximate the bottom, and a stepped portion (122) connecting the upper portion (118) and the lower portion (125).