Coffee Cartridge Lid with Improved Sealing Feature

Abstract

A cartridge lid, configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, includes a first surface and a rim. The first surface is configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening to cover the opening. The rim extends beyond the edge of the opening and forms a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening. The rim includes a lip, a sealing contour, and a centering contour. The lip extends away from the first surface at a perimeter of the cartridge lid. The sealing contour is arranged on and extending away from the first surface. The centering contour is arranged on and extending away from the first surface, and is configured to contact and align the sealing contour toward a raised edge of a brewing machine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to coffee brewing, including espresso brewing, and in particular to a coffee cartridge lid having a rim feature that provides improved cartridge guiding and sealing when used in a brewing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Espresso is typically brewed by forcing very hot, typically nearly boiling, water through finely ground coffee beans at high pressure, and other types of coffee drinks and infusion beverages are also brewed by injecting hot water through brewing material. For example, espresso can be made in an espresso machine having a chamber to be filled with the finely ground coffee beans and then tightly closed, or by a machine that accepts a pre-packaged espresso cartridge loaded into a brewing chamber, which captures the espresso cartridge between a chamber base and chamber lid. Because a high water pressure is used to brew the espresso, the brewing chambers sometimes leak, and this is a common problem when brewing other beverages as well. Therefore, there is a need for an improved seal between the chamber base and the cartridge lid that can withstand the high pressure experienced during the brewing process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses these and other needs by providing a cartridge that includes contours under a rim of the cartridge for guiding and sealing the cartridge in a beverage brewer, such as an espresso brewing machine. Espresso brewing machines inject a high-pressure flow of water heated to near boiling temperature into the espresso cartridge to brew espresso. As a result, a very good seal is required between the espresso cartridge rim and the espresso brewing machine to prevent leaking. The contours of the cartridge lid include a contour that centers the espresso cartridge in the machine and a sealing contour that is crushed or otherwise deformed to improve the seal between the espresso cartridge and a brewing chamber.

According to an aspect of the invention, a centering contour is provided under the rim of a beverage cartridge. The centering contour positions the cartridge in the brewing chamber for optimum sealing with a raised edge of a brewing chamber.

According to another aspect of the invention, a sealing contour is provided under the rim of the beverage cartridge. The sealing contour meets with the raised edge of the brewing chamber. The raised edge deforms the sealing contour to form a tight seal.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cartridge lid is configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, and includes a first surface and a rim. The first surface is configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening of the cartridge container so as to cover the cartridge container opening. The rim extends beyond the edge of the opening of the cartridge container and forms a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container. The rim includes a sealing contour, and a centering contour. The sealing contour is arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface. The centering contour is arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface and configured to contact a raised edge of a brewing machine and to urge the sealing contour toward the raised edge of the brewing machine.

The sealing contour can form a continuous closed ring around the first surface of the cartridge lid.

The sealing contour can be configured to be at least partially deformed by the raised edge of the brewing machine when the sealing contour is pressed against the raised edge of the brewing machine.

The centering contour can be arranged closer to the outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid than is the sealing contour. Alternatively, the sealing contour can be arranged closer to the outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid than is the centering contour. The centering contour can be arranged concentric with the sealing contour.

The centering contour can extend farther away from the first surface of the cartridge lid than does the sealing contour.

The first surface of the cartridge lid can be flat between the sealing contour and the edge of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container. The rim can also include a lip extending away from the first surface of the cartridge lid at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid, and the lip, the sealing contour, and the centering contour can be the only raised features on the first surface, which can be otherwise flat.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cartridge lid is configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, and includes a first surface and a rim. The first surface is configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening of the cartridge container, thereby covering the cartridge container opening. The rim extends beyond the edge of the opening of the cartridge container and forms a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container. The rim includes an annular sealing contour, and an annular centering contour. The lip extends away from the first surface at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid. The annular sealing contour is arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface. The annular centering contour is arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid and concentric with the annular sealing contour, extending away from the first surface and configured to contact the raised edge of a brewing machine and to urge the annular sealing contour toward the raised edge of the brewing machine.

The annular sealing contour can be configured to be at least partially deformed by the raised edge of the brewing machine when the annular sealing contour is pressed against the raised edge.

The first surface of the lid is preferably flat between the annular sealing contour and the edge of the cartridge container, when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container.

The annular centering contour can also be configured such that the annular centering contour extends away from the first surface a greater distance than the annular sealing contour extends from the first surface.

The rim can also include a lip extending away from the first surface of the cartridge lid at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid, and the lip, the sealing contour, and the centering contour can be the only raised features on the first surface, which can be otherwise flat.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cartridge lid, including means for sealing against a raised edge of a brewing machine, includes a first surface and a rim. The first surface is provided for covering an opening of a container means such that the first surface of the cartridge lid seals an edge of the opening of the container means. The rim extends beyond the container means edge when the cartridge lid seals the edge of the opening of the container means, and forms a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the container means edge when the cartridge lid seals the edge of the opening of the container means. The rim includes annular sealing means, and annular centering means. The annular sealing means is provided for sealing against the raised edge of the brewing machine, and is arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid within the periphery of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface. The annular centering means is arranged concentric with the annular sealing means and extending away from the first surface, and is provided for contacting the raised edge of the brewing machine and to position the annular sealing means against the raised edge of the brewing machine.

The annular sealing means can be configured to be at least partially deformed by the raised edge of the brewing machine when the annular sealing means is pressed against the raised edge of the brewing machine, thereby providing a seal between the raised edge of the brewing machine and the periphery.

The annular centering means can have a larger diameter than that of the annular sealing means. Alternatively, the annular sealing means can have a larger diameter than that of the annular centering means.

The annular centering means can also be configured such that the annular centering means extends away from the first surface a greater distance than the annular sealing means extends from the first surface.

The rim can also include lip means extending away from the first surface at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid and the lip means, the annular sealing means, and the annular centering means can be the only raised features on the first surface, which can be otherwise flat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows exemplary placement of an espresso cartridge in an espresso machine.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of an exemplary espresso machine.

FIG. 2B shows a front view of an exemplary espresso machine.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention in a brewing chamber of an espresso machine.

FIG. 4 shows a prior art espresso cartridge in a brewing chamber.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the prior art espresso cartridge.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention in a brewing chamber before the brewing chamber is completely closed.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention in a brewing chamber before the brewing chamber is completely closed, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention, arranged in the brewing chamber after the brewing chamber is completely closed.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention, arranged in the brewing chamber after the brewing chamber is completely closed, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a bottom side perspective view of an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a detail of FIG. 13 of a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary espresso cartridge according to the invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of illustration only, a non-limiting example of an espresso cartridge will be described as the beverage cartridge of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1-2B, an espresso cartridge 16 according to the invention is shown ready for insertion into an espresso machine 10, which will inject hot water under pressure through the cartridge 16 to brew the espresso. A cup or mug 12 is shown positioned to receive brewed espresso from the espresso machine. Generally, a lid 14 of the espresso machine 10 is opened and the espresso cartridge 16 in inserted into a brewing chamber 18 (see FIG. 3) of the espresso machine 10. The lid 14 is then closed before the brewing process begins.

Referring to FIG. 3, the espresso cartridge 16 is shown in the brewing chamber 18 of the espresso machine 10, and a more detailed view of a prior art espresso cartridge 16 is shown in the brewing chamber 18 in FIG. 4. The espresso cartridge 16 includes a cartridge container 22a and cartridge lid 22b. The cartridge 16 in this example is inserted into the brewing chamber 18 on its side and is captured between a brewing chamber base 18a and a brewing chamber cap 18b. When the brewing chamber is closed, needles 26a and 26b (see FIG. 7) enter the espresso cartridge 16 to inject high-pressure heated water into the espresso cartridge 16 and receive the brewed espresso from the espresso cartridge 16. A flat rim 22′ forms a closed circumference around the lid 22b of the espresso cartridge 16 and is captured between a raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a and brewing chamber cap 18b to seal the brewing chamber 18.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a prior art espresso cartridge 16. In contrast, a side view of an exemplary espresso cartridge 16a according to the invention is shown in FIG. 6. The espresso cartridge 16a includes a contour 24 on a bottom surface of the rim 22′. The contour 24 preferably forms a closed circumferential ring encircling the bottom surface of the rim 22′, and is preferably aligned with the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a as the brewing chamber closes.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the espresso cartridge 16a is placed in the brewing chamber 18 and then the brewing chamber 18 is completely closed. The contour 24 of the espresso cartridge 16a is shown aligned with the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a. The espresso cartridge 16a as shown includes a portion of the brewing material 30 within the espresso cartridge 16a, in this case finely ground espresso brewing material.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the espresso cartridge 16a is shown in the brewing chamber 18 after the brewing chamber 18 has been completely closed. As shown, the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a has deformed the contour 24 of the espresso cartridge 16a to seal the brewing chamber 18. In this case, the contour 24 has been crushed, but any deformation of the contour 24, whether permanent or temporary, is enough to enhance the seal between the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a and the contour 24 of the espresso cartridge 16a.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, another exemplary embodiment of an espresso cartridge 16b according to the present invention is shown, including a centering contour 25 arranged outside a sealing contour 24a. The sealing contour 24a is aligned with the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a to at least partially crush or otherwise deform the contour 24a of the espresso cartridge 16b to seal the brewing chamber 18. As shown, the cartridge lid rim includes a lip 27 extending away from the surface of the cartridge lid 22b at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid 22b.

The centering contour 25 has a radius different from the radius of the raised ridge 19 of the brewing chamber 18 and also includes a peak 25a radially offset from the raised ridge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a that contacts the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a to assist in centering the brewing cartridge 16b in the brewing chamber 18 to better align the sealing contour 24a with the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a, thus providing an improved sealing of the brewing chamber 18. The centering contour 25 preferably extends farther towards the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a to contact the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a before the raised edge 19 of the brewing chamber base 18a contacts the sealing contour 24a.

Although the centering contour 25 is shown arranged outside the sealing contour 24a, a centering contour can instead be arranged inside the sealing contour 24a to align the sealing contour 24a with the raised edge 19, and the invention encompasses either arrangement, as well as arrangements having multiple concentric centering and sealing contours to provide universal application with any of a number of brewing chamber bases of different sizes.

Thus, in general, a cartridge lid is configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, which together form a brewing cartridge that is used to brew a beverage in a beverage brewing machine. The cartridge lid includes a first surface that is configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening of the cartridge container so as to cover the cartridge container opening when forming the brewing cartridge. The cartridge lid also includes a rim that extends beyond the edge of the opening of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container to form a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening of the cartridge container of the constructed brewing cartridge. The cartridge lid can be used with any cartridge container of appropriate size to form a brewing cartridge, and therefore cartridge lids of any size are included within the scope of the invention.

The rim can include a lip that extends away from the first surface of the cartridge lid at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid, defining the outer edge and providing an overhang at the edge of the cartridge lid. The cartridge lid also includes a sealing contour, arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface. The sealing contour provides a raised surface on the lid to contact a raised edge of the brewing chamber and to be deformed against the raised edge under pressure of the brewing chamber cover. The sealing contour is preferably deformed in such a way as to provide a tight seal between the sealing contour and the raised edge, and therefore can be deformed to any extent or even crushed to provide the seal. Because the sealing contour provides this sealing function, it is preferred that the sealing contour is formed in a continuous line, such as a closed ring, with no breaks.

The cartridge lid also includes a centering contour that is arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface and configured to contact the raised edge of a brewing machine. The centering contour is configured to urge the sealing contour toward the raised edge of the brewing machine. The is, the centering contour contacts the raised edge and slides into position because of the mutual contact of the surfaces of the centering contour and the raised edge. Once settled, the centering contour and raised edge are aligned such that when the cartridge lid is pressed down against the raised edge under pressure of the brewing chamber cover, the sealing contour is in position to be deformed against the raised edge. Thus, the centering contour is also arranged in spaced relation to the sealing contour to provide the deformation contact between the sealing contour and the raised edge when the centering contour is settled in place with the raised edge, and can be arranged concentric with the sealing contour, either inside or outside of the sealing contour to urge the sealing contour in either direction as applicable. To be sure that the centering contour makes contact with the raised edge before the sealing contour makes contact, the centering contour can extend farther from the first surface of the cartridge lid than does the sealing contour, but this is not necessary. Because the centering contour does not provide a sealing function, the centering contour need not be made of a deformable material. Also, the centering contour does not necessarily have to form a continuous line, and instead can be arranged as a series of segments, or can take a zig-zag or serpentine shape, or any other shape appropriate to contact the raised edge and center the brewing cartridge. Further, as mentioned above, several centering and/or sealing contours can be provided to provide universal application with brewing chambers of various sizes. If multiple contours are used, any or all of the contours can be made of deformable material so that any of the contours can function as either centering or sealing contours depending on the dimensions of the brewing chamber in which the brewing cartridge is used. The contours and any other feature of the cartridge lid can be circular, or can be any other shape suited for attaching to the cartridge container and sealing to the brewing chamber.

Other than the contours and the optional lip, the first surface can have any profile. For example, the first surface can otherwise have ridges or any other texture, either within or outside the area of the opening of the cartridge container. Alternatively, the first surface of the cartridge lid can be flat between the sealing contour and the edge of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container. Thus, the lip, the sealing contour, and the centering contour can be the only raised features on the first surface, which can be otherwise flat, or other surface features can be present.

Although the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims,

Claims

1. A cartridge lid configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, comprising: a first surface, configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening of the cartridge container, thereby covering the cartridge container opening; anda rim extending beyond the edge of the opening of the cartridge container and forming a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container; andwherein the rim includes: a sealing contour arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface; anda centering contour arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface and configured to contact a raised edge of a brewing machine and to urge the sealing contour toward the raised edge of the brewing machine.

2. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the sealing contour forms a continuous closed ring around the first surface of the cartridge lid.

3. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the sealing contour is configured to be at least partially deformed by the raised edge of the brewing machine when the sealing contour is pressed against the raised edge of the brewing machine.

4. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the centering contour is arranged closer to the outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid than is the sealing contour.

5. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the sealing contour is arranged closer to the outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid than is the centering contour.

6. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the centering contour is arranged concentric with the sealing contour.

7. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the centering contour extends farther away from the first surface of the cartridge lid than does the sealing contour.

8. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the cartridge lid is flat between the sealing contour and the edge of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container.

9. The cartridge lid of claim 1, wherein: the rim further includes a lip extending away from the first surface of the cartridge lid at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid; andthe lip, the sealing contour, and the centering contour are the only raised features on the first surface, which is otherwise flat.

10. A cartridge lid configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, comprising: a first surface, configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening of the cartridge container, thereby covering the cartridge container opening; anda rim extending beyond the edge of the opening of the cartridge container and forming a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening of the cartridge container when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container;wherein the rim includes: an annular sealing contour arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface; andan annular centering contour, arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid and concentric with the annular sealing contour, extending away from the first surface and configured to contact the raised edge of a brewing machine and to urge the annular sealing contour toward the raised edge of the brewing machine.

11. The cartridge lid of claim 10, wherein the annular sealing contour is configured to be at least partially deformed by the raised edge of the brewing machine when the annular sealing contour is pressed against the raised edge.

12. The cartridge lid of claim 10, wherein the first surface of the cartridge lid is flat between the annular sealing contour and the edge of the cartridge container, when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening of the cartridge container.

13. The cartridge lid of claim 10, wherein the annular centering contour is further configured such that the annular centering contour extends away from the first surface a greater distance than the annular sealing contour extends from the first surface.

14. The cartridge lid of claim 10, wherein: the rim further includes a lip extending away from the first surface of the cartridge lid at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid; andthe lip, the annular sealing contour, and the annular centering contour are the only raised features on the first surface, which is otherwise flat.

15. A cartridge lid, including means for sealing against a raised edge of a brewing machine, comprising: a first surface, for covering an opening of a container means such that the first surface of the cartridge lid seals an edge of the opening of the container means; anda rim that extends beyond the container means edge when the cartridge lid seals the edge of the opening of the container means, and forms a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the container means edge when the cartridge lid seals the edge of the opening of the container means; andwherein the rim includes: annular sealing means for sealing against the raised edge of the brewing machine, arranged on the first surface of the cartridge lid within the periphery of the cartridge lid, extending away from the first surface; andannular centering means, arranged concentric with the annular sealing means, extending away from the first surface for contacting the raised edge of the brewing machine and to position the annular sealing means against the raised edge of the brewing machine.

16. The cartridge lid of claim 15, wherein the annular sealing means is configured to be at least partially deformed by the raised edge of the brewing machine when the annular sealing means is pressed against the raised edge of the brewing machine, thereby providing a seal between the raised edge of the brewing machine and the periphery.

17. The cartridge lid of claim 15, wherein the annular centering means has a larger diameter than that of the annular sealing means.

18. The cartridge lid of claim 15, wherein the annular sealing means has a larger diameter than that of the annular centering means.

19. The cartridge lid of claim 15, wherein the annular centering means is further configured such that the annular centering means extends away from the first surface a greater distance than the annular sealing means extends from the first surface.

20. The cartridge lid of claim 15, wherein: the rim also includes lip means extending away from the first surface at an outermost perimeter of the cartridge lid; andthe lip means, the annular sealing means, and the annular centering means are the only raised features on the first surface, which is otherwise flat.