Patent Application
20160280455
The invention relates to improvements in disposable packages of single serve beverage forming apparatuses and methods of making beverages by combining a flavor medium included in the disposable package with liquid supplied by the single serve beverage forming apparatus.
Various disposable packages have been developed for making beverages when placed in a receptacle of a beverage forming apparatus. The disposable packages include a flavor medium sealed therein. Beverage forming apparatuses make a beverage by opening a disposable package such that liquid supplied by the beverage forming apparatus to an interior of the disposable package combines with the flavor medium to make a beverage which is then dispensed from the disposable package. One challenge in developing disposable packages has been designing a disposable package which can be opened and dispense a beverage without causing cross contamination between flavor mediums included in consecutive disposable packages. The cross contamination can occur when the beverage forming apparatus physically forms an opening in the disposable package and becomes contaminated by the flavor medium, or when the beverage is dispensed from the disposable package and residual flavor from the flavor medium remains in the receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. Over periods of use, the contamination of the beverage forming apparatus from one disposable package can be transferred to a next disposable package, thereby causing the cross contamination. Thus, there is a need for a disposable package which can be opened in a manner which reduces contamination of the beverage forming apparatus when the disposable package is opened and dispenses a beverage.
Disclosed herein is a disposable package of a beverage forming apparatus for making a beverage when a liquid is supplied to the disposable package by the beverage forming apparatus. The disposable package comprises an impermeable rupturable capsule including a bottom wall and a tubular side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space having a flavor medium therein. The tubular side wall includes an annular shelf extending downwardly and outwardly from an upper end thereof. The tubular side wall includes at least one vertical indentation formed therein wherein an upper end of the at least one vertical indentation terminates at the annular shelf. An annular upper lip surrounds an opening to the interior space. The annular upper lip is configured to locate the disposable package in a receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. A puncturable lid seals the opening of the interior space of the capsule wherein during use the puncturable lid can be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space of the capsule combines with the flavor medium to form a beverage. The capsule deforms (ruptures) due to internal pressure during delivery of liquid in the interior space such that the bottom wall moves downwardly away from the annular upper lip and the annular shelf tears away from the at least one vertical indentation to form at least one respective through opening in the annular shelf through which the beverage can be dispensed.
Also disclosed herein is a disposable package of a beverage forming apparatus for making a beverage when a liquid is supplied to the disposable package by the beverage forming apparatus. The disposable package comprises an impermeable rupturable capsule including a bottom wall, an annular shelf extending downwardly and outwardly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall, and a tubular side wall extending upwardly from the annular shelf defining an interior space having a flavor medium therein. The tubular side wall includes at least one vertical indentation formed therein wherein a lower end of the at least one vertical indentation terminates at the annular shelf. An annular upper lip surrounds an opening to the interior space. The annular upper lip is configured to locate the disposable package in a receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. A puncturable lid seals the opening of the interior space of the capsule. During use, the puncturable lid can be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space of the capsule combines with the flavor medium to form a beverage. The capsule is configured to deform (rupture) due to internal pressure during delivery of liquid in the interior space such that the tubular side wall and bottom wall move downwardly away from the annular upper lip and the annular shelf tears away from the at least one vertical indentation to form at least one respective through opening in the annular shelf through which the beverage can be dispensed.
Further disclosed herein is a disposable package of a beverage forming apparatus for making a beverage when a liquid is supplied to the disposable package by the beverage forming apparatus. The disposable package comprises an impermeable rupturable capsule including a bottom wall and a tubular side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space having a flavor medium therein. The tubular side wall includes an annular shelf extending horizontally outward from an upper end of the top of the tubular side wall. The annular shelf includes at least one through opening therein wherein an annular seal underlying the annular shelf seals the at least one through opening. An annular upper lip surrounds an opening to the interior space. The annular upper lip is configured to locate the disposable package in a receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. A puncturable lid seals the opening of the interior space of the capsule. During use, the puncturable lid can be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space of the capsule combines with the flavor medium to form a beverage. The annular seal unseals from the at least one through opening in the annular shelf due to internal pressure during delivery of liquid in the interior space through which the beverage can be dispensed.
Additionally disclosed herein is a disposable package of a beverage forming apparatus for making a beverage when a liquid is supplied to the disposable package by the beverage forming apparatus. The disposable package comprises an impermeable capsule including a conical wall defining an interior space having a flavor medium therein and an annular upper lip surrounding an opening to the interior space. The annular upper lip is configured to locate the disposable package in a receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. A puncturable lid seals the opening of the interior space of the capsule wherein the puncturable lid is configured to be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space of the capsule combines with the flavor medium to form a beverage. A portion of the conical wall is a liquid exit portion that is located at or adjacent a tip of the conical wall wherein the liquid exit portion is configured to dispense the beverage therefrom.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a disposable package of a beverage forming apparatus for making a beverage when a liquid is supplied to the disposable package by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus. The beverage forming apparatus is operable to make a beverage by passing liquid through the disposable package, wherein the liquid combines with a flavor medium (beverage precursor) included in the disposable package, and thus produces the beverage. The beverage forming apparatus is also operable to increase the pressure in an interior of the disposable package such that the disposable package can be unsealed and dispense a beverage. In an embodiment, liquid supplied to the interior of the disposable package can cause the pressure therein to increase. Alternatively, the beverage forming apparatus can include a gas supply component operable to increase the pressure in the interior of the disposable package.
Flavor perception of a consumable product is defined as the combined impression of specific aroma, taste and trigeminal compounds along with entities that evoke mouth feel impressions (i.e. sensates) such as astringency, mouth coating, fullness, etc. Aroma compounds are volatiles that interact with olfactory receptors in the nose evoking a signal to the brain interpreted as smell, while the five basic tastes are elicited by interactions of tastants with specific taste receptors for salt, sweet, bitter, sour and umami tastes, respectively. Further, flavor perception includes characteristics of a consumable product, such as a color profile of a beverage, which can affect the flavor perception of the beverage. Flavor mediums (i.e., flavor systems, sensory mixtures, or beverage precursors) disclosed herein combine compounds to form a flavor perception of a desired beverage, such as a desired alcoholic beverage or a desired alcoholic mixed drink beverage. The beverage precursor can be a clear liquid, alcohol free, extract free, concentrate free, free of undissolved solids, and/or free of essential oils. Aroma compounds, taste compounds, and/or mouthfeel compounds can be water soluble. The compounds, such as aroma compounds, can also be soluble in an alcohol such as ethanol.
In general, out of the many hundreds of chemical entities that are found in natural products, especially those of agricultural origin that may also have been subjected to additional fermentation or prolonged storage, only an order of ten chemical entities may be responsible for aroma, taste and mouth feel. Isolation and chemical analysis techniques allow for the identification and quantification of flavor compounds out of the many hundreds that may be detected in a fermented and/or brewed alcoholic beverage.
A flavor that mimics the sensory attributes of a certain product by using the same or similar flavor relevant compounds of the natural product is called “nature craft identical” and the combination of chemical entities that mimic the natural product is called a “nature craft recombinant”. Recombinants may be altered or new compounds added to compensate for flavor compounds that cannot be used because they are not generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or availability issues and to create new superior flavors. Through omissions or additions of certain compounds in our “recombinants”, important interplays between aroma, flavor and mouthfeel impressions can be determined and used to create the best possible nature craft identical product as outlined in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0272019 and commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0272006, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by this reference thereto. The recombinants can be used as constituents of a flavor medium that can be placed in the interior of respective disposable packages and used to form alcoholic beverages having a desired taste, as described herein.
The flavor medium can be mixed with a liquid base, by the beverage forming apparatus, preferably water and an alcohol, such as ethanol or vodka, mixture to create a beverage having the aroma and/or taste and/or mouthfeel of beverages such as beer, wine, sparkling wine, cider, whiskey, gin, vermouth, rum, tequila, and/or an alcoholic mixed drink (i.e. a cocktail), but without fermentation, distillation, brewing and/or other costly and time consuming measures (for example aging) associated with the production of beers, wines, sparkling wines, ciders, whiskeys, gins, vermouths, rums, or tequilas. In an alternative embodiment, the beverage precursor can be combined with a low flavor beer, wine, sparkling wine, cider, whiskey, gin, vermouth, rum, and/or tequila to create a superior beer, wine, sparkling wine, cider, whiskey, gin, vermouth, rum, tequila, and/or an alcoholic mixed drink (i.e. cocktail) flavored beverage.
The flavor medium included in the interior of the disposable package is preferably in amount sufficient to form a single serving beverage having an alcohol content ranging from about 0.1% alcohol by volume to about 90% alcohol by volume. For example, wine can have an alcohol content of about 0.1% alcohol by volume to about 25% alcohol by volume, whiskey can have about 40% (or lower) alcohol by volume to about 70% alcohol by volume and beer can have about 2% alcohol by volume to about 20% alcohol by volume. The amount of alcohol in a liquid containing alcohol that is supplied by the beverage forming apparatus and combined with a respective flavor medium can be selected based on the type of beverage being formed and/or can be controlled by a controller of a beverage forming apparatus which supplies the liquid that contains alcohol used to form the beverage if an adult consumer wishes to have a beverage having a lower alcohol content than that contemplated when forming a respective disposable package for the preparation of a desired alcoholic beverage. For example, a low alcohol or alcohol free beer can be dispensed from the beverage forming apparatus which has the flavor of a beer which may traditionally have a higher alcoholic content if traditionally brewed. Embodiments of flavor mediums can be found in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0073673, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A puncturable lid 110 (see
The beverage forming apparatus is operable to build up pressure in the interior space of the capsule 101. The capsule 101 deforms (ruptures) due to internal pressure during delivery of liquid in the interior space 104 thereof such that the bottom wall 102 moves downwardly away from the annular upper lip 105 and the annular shelf 107 tears away from the at least one vertical indentation 111 to form at least one respective through opening 108 (see
The volume of the interior space 104 of the capsule 101 of the disposable package 100 below the opening to the interior space 104 is preferably at least 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium included therein such that liquid supplied by the beverage forming apparatus has room to combine with the flavor medium to form the beverage. In alternative embodiments, the volume of the interior space 104 of the capsule 101 of the disposable package 100 below the opening to the interior space 104 may be less than 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium included therein. In an embodiment the capsule 101 and the puncturable lid 110 are preferably formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene. Alternatively, the capsule 101 and the puncturable lid 110 may be formed of polyethylene teraphalate (PET) or a high barrier material such as Polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or Acrylonitrile-Methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, the capsule and the puncturable lid 110 may have a multilayer construction formed of, for example, respective layers of PET/EVOH/PET, PET/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, or PET/PTFE/PET. In an embodiment, the puncturable lid 110 can have a multilayer construction wherein a layer of the multilayer construction is formed of a metal foil which is included with one or more other layers of the aforementioned materials. In an embodiment, the disposable packages disclosed herein, such as capsule 101, may be constructed of metal (e.g., aluminum or a metal foil such as aluminum foil) and/or a multi-layer (metal/plastic) material in order to provide suitable barrier performance to oxygen and/or water vapor.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in
A puncturable lid 210 (see
The capsule 201 deforms (ruptures) due to internal pressure during delivery of liquid in the interior space 204 thereof such that the tubular side wall 203 and bottom wall 202 move downwardly away from the annular upper lip 205 and the annular shelf 207 tears away from the at least one vertical indentation 211 to form at least one through opening 208 (see
The volume of the interior space 204 of the capsule 201 of the disposable package 200 below the opening to the interior space 204 is preferably at least 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium included therein such that liquid supplied by the beverage forming apparatus has room to combine with the flavor medium to form the beverage. In alternative embodiments, the volume of the interior space 204 of the capsule 201 of the disposable package 200 below the opening to the interior space 204 may be less than 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium included therein. In an embodiment the capsule 201 and the puncturable lid 210 are preferably formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene. Alternatively, the capsule 201 and the puncturable lid 210 may be formed of polyethylene teraphalate (PET) or a high barrier material such as Polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or Acrylonitrile-Methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, the capsule 201 and the puncturable lid 210 may have a multilayer construction formed of, for example, resepective layers of PET/EVOH/PET, PET/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, or PET/PTFE/PET. In an embodiment, the puncturable lid 210 can have a multilayer construction wherein a layer of the multilayer construction is formed of a metal foil which is included with one or more other layers of the aforementioned materials.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in
A puncturable lid 310 seals the opening of the interior space 304 of the capsule 301. During use of the beverage forming apparatus, the puncturable lid 310 can be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space 304 of the capsule combines with the flavor medium 309 to form a beverage. The puncturable lid 310 is preferably sealed to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 305 with an adhesive, or alternatively the puncturable lid 310 can be heat sealed or ultrasonically welded to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 305. The annular seal 315 unseals (see
The volume of the interior space 304 of the capsule 301 of the disposable package 300 is preferably at least 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium included therein such that liquid supplied by the beverage forming apparatus has room to combine with the flavor medium to form the beverage. In an embodiment the capsule 301 and the puncturable lid 310 are preferably formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene. In an embodiment, the capsule 301 and/or the puncturable lid 310 may be constructed of metal (e.g., a metal foil such as aluminum foil) and/or a multi-layer (metal/plastic) material in order to provide suitable barrier performance to oxygen and/or water vapor.
In an embodiment, the impermeable rupturable capsules 101, 201, and 301 of respective
For example, as illustrated in
The inner impermeable rupturable capsule 401 is operable to dispense a beverage into an interior space 454 of the outer impermeable capsule 451 during use of the beverage forming apparatus. The outer impermeable capsule 451 includes a bottom wall 452 and a tubular side wall 453 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 452 defining the interior space 454 therein. In an embodiment the tubular side wall 453 may be a cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall 452 or a frustoconical side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall 452 defining an interior space 454 therein. In alternate embodiments, the tubular side wall 453 may have a square shape, a rectangular shape, oval shape, hexagonal shape, octagonal shape, or other shape. An annular locating feature 457 at the top of the tubular side wall 453 mates with an annular upper lip 405 (for example, a horizontal portion of the annular upper lip 405) of the inner capsule 401 so as to suspend the inner capsule 401 in the interior space 454 of the outer capsule 451. An annular flange 455 at the top of the annular locating feature 457 surrounds an opening to the interior space 454 of the outer capsule 451. The annular flange 455 is configured to locate the disposable package 400 in a receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. A liquid exit portion 458 in the bottom wall 452 of the outer capsule 451 is operable to dispense a beverage therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular side wall 453 of the outer capsule 451 can include the liquid exit portion 458.
In the embodiment as shown in
A puncturable lid 460 seals the opening of the interior spaces 404 and 454 of the respective inner and outer impermeable capsules 401, 451. The puncturable lid 460 is configured to be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space 404 of the inner capsule 401 combines with the flavor medium 409 to form a beverage. The puncturable lid 460 is preferably sealed to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 405 with an adhesive, or alternatively the puncturable lid 460 can be heat sealed or ultrasonically welded to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 405. In an alternative embodiment, the puncturable lid 460 can be heat sealed, ultrasonically welded, or adhered to an upper surface of the annular flange 455. The inner capsule 401 deforms (ruptures) due to internal pressure during delivery of a liquid in the interior space 404 thereof such that the tubular side wall 403 and bottom wall 402 move downwardly away from the annular upper lip 405 and the annular shelf 412 tears away from the at least one vertical indentation 411 of the inner capsule 401 to form the at least one respective through opening 408 in the annular shelf 412 such that the beverage may be dispensed through the respective at least one through opening 408 and enter the interior space 454 of the outer capsule 451. Preferably, each vertical indentation 411 tears away from the annular shelf 412 to form respective through openings 408. The beverage which enters the interior space 454 of the outer capsule 451 may be dispensed from the outer capsule 451 in a controlled manner through the liquid exit portion 458 in the bottom wall 452 of the outer capsule 451 or alternatively in the tubular side wall 453 of the outer capsule 451.
Preferably, the outer impermeable capsule 451 is formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polyethylene teraphalate (PET) or a high barrier material such as Polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or Acrylonitrile-Methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, the outer impermeable capsule 451 may have a multilayer construction formed of, for example, respective layers of PET/EVOH/PET, PET/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, or PET/PTFE/PET. Preferably, a lower surface of the annular upper lip 405 of the inner capsule 401 is adhered, ultrasonically welded, or heat sealed to an upper surface of the annular locating feature 455 of the outer capsule 451. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 458 of the outer capsule 451 can be an opening, or an opening which has a seal that a user may remove before inserting the disposable capsule in the receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. In an embodiment, the opening can include a dissolvable seal which may dissolve when contacted by the beverage. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 458 of the outer capsule 451 can include a puncturable region thereof wherein the beverage forming apparatus is configured to puncture the puncturable region of the outer capsule body 451 during use thereof such that a beverage may be dispensed through the liquid exit portion 458. In an embodiment, the beverage forming apparatus can be operable to puncture the puncturable region of the outer capsule body 451 after a predetermined time, such as before, during, or after the beverage has entered the interior space 454 of the outer capsule 451.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in
A puncturable lid 560 seals the opening of the interior spaces 504 and 554 of the respective inner and outer capsules 501, 551. During use of the beverage forming apparatus, the puncturable lid 560 can be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space 504 of the inner capsule 501 combines with the flavor medium (not shown) to form a beverage. The puncturable lid 560 is preferably sealed to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 505 with an adhesive, or alternatively the puncturable lid 560 can be heat sealed or ultrasonically welded to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 505. In an alternative embodiment, the puncturable lid 560 can be heat sealed, ultrasonically welded, or adhered to an upper surface of the annular flange 555. An annular seal 515 of the inner impermeable rupturable capsule 501 unseals from the at least one through opening 508 in an annular shelf 507 of the inner impermeable rupturable capsule 501 due to internal pressure during delivery of liquid in the interior space 504 of the inner capsule 501 through which the beverage is dispensed. Preferably, the annular seal 515 unseals from each of the at least one respective through openings 508. In an embodiment, the pressure buildup can cause portions of the annular seal 515 to burst or rupture to thereby unseal the through openings 508.
Preferably, the outer impermeable capsule 551 is formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polyethylene teraphalate (PET) or a high barrier material such as Polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or Acrylonitrile-Methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, the outer impermeable capsule 551 may have a multilayer construction formed of, for example, respective layers of PET/EVOH/PET, PET/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, or PET/PTFE/PET. Preferably, a lower surface of the annular upper lip 505 of the inner capsule 501 is adhered, ultrasonically welded, or heat sealed to an upper surface of the annular locating feature 555 of the outer capsule 551. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 558 of the outer capsule 551 can be an opening, or an opening which has a seal that a user may remove before inserting the disposable capsule in the receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. In an embodiment, the opening can include a dissolvable seal which may dissolve when contacted by the beverage. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 558 of the outer capsule 551 can include a puncturable region thereof wherein the beverage forming apparatus is configured to puncture the puncturable region of the outer capsule body 551 during use thereof such that a beverage may be dispensed through the liquid exit portion 558. In an embodiment, the beverage forming apparatus can be operable to puncture the puncturable region of the outer capsule body 551 after a predetermined time, such as before, during, or after the beverage has entered the interior space 554 of the outer capsule 551.
In further embodiments, the outer impermeable capsule 451, 551, which include an inner impermeable rupturable capsule suspended in an interior space thereof, can be an outer impermeable rupturable capsule wherein the outer impermeable rupturable capsule is adapted to open due to internal pressure buildup in the interior space thereof during delivery of liquid into the interior space thereof such that the beverage may be dispensed after the build-up of pressure causes the liquid exit portion 458 or 558 to open. In this embodiment, the outer impermeable rupturable capsule can include at least one vertical indention which is operable to tear open under pressure such as those shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
A puncturable lid 610 seals the opening of the interior space 604 of the capsule 601. The puncturable lid 610 is configured to be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space 604 of the capsule 101 combines with the flavor medium 609 to form a beverage. The puncturable lid 610 is preferably sealed to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 605 with an adhesive, or alternatively the puncturable lid 610 can be heat sealed or ultrasonically welded to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 605.
The volume of the interior space 604 of the impermeable capsule 601 of the disposable package 600 below the opening to the interior space 604 is preferably at least 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium 609 included therein such that liquid supplied by the beverage forming apparatus has room to combine with the flavor medium to form the beverage. In alternative embodiments, the volume of the interior space 604 of the capsule 601 of the disposable package 600 below the opening to the interior space 604 may be less than 3 times greater than the volume of the flavor medium included therein. In an embodiment the capsule 601 and the puncturable lid 610 are preferably formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene. Alternatively, the capsule 601 and the puncturable lid 610 may be formed of polyethylene teraphalate (PET) or a high barrier material such as Polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or Acrylonitrile-Methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, the capsule 601 and the puncturable lid 610 may have a multilayer construction formed of, for example, respective layers of PET/EVOH/PET, PET/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, PP/PVDC/PET, or PET/PTFE/PET. In an embodiment, the puncturable lid 610 can have a multilayer construction wherein a layer of the multilayer construction is formed of a metal foil which is included with one or more other layers of the aforementioned materials.
A portion of the conical wall 603 is a liquid exit portion 658 that is located at or adjacent a tip 670 of the conical wall 603 wherein the liquid exit portion 658 is configured to dispense the beverage therefrom. The beverage forming apparatus is configured to open the liquid exit portion 658 during or after liquid is supplied to the interior space 604 of the capsule 601, which forms a beverage when combined with the flavor medium 609, such that the beverage may be controllably dispensed from the opened liquid exit portion 658 of the conical wall 603. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 658 can be a puncturable region adjacent or at the tip 670 of the conical wall 603 wherein the beverage forming apparatus is configured to puncture the puncturable region of the liquid exit portion 658 such that the beverage may be dispensed therethrough. In an embodiment, the beverage forming apparatus can be configured to snip or cut the tip 670 or a portion of the tip 670 such that the tip 670 is removed or partially removed from the conical wall 603 such that the liquid exit portion 658 may be opened and the beverage may be dispensed therethrough. In an embodiment, a portion of the conical wall 603 can be weakened, deformed, or perforated such that the beverage forming apparatus may remove or partially remove the tip 670 from the conical wall 603. In an embodiment, a portion of the conical wall 603 can be weakened or deformed (ruptured) such that the liquid exit portion 658 may be opened after a sufficient amount of pressure has been built-up in the interior space 604 of the disposable package 600 during operation of the beverage forming apparatus.
As illustrated in
In further embodiments, an interior surface of an impermeable inner capsule, an impermeable rupturable inner capsule, an outer impermeable capsule, or an outer impermeable rupturable capsule can include a mixing aid such as grooves, steps, helical ridges, and/or the like which enhance mixing between the liquid and the flavor medium during formation of the beverage. For example, as shown in
In an embodiment, the impermeable capsules 101, 201, 301, and 601 of respective
For example,
The inner impermeable rupturable capsule 701 is operable to dispense a beverage into an interior space 754 of the outer impermeable capsule 751. The outer impermeable capsule 751 includes a conical wall 753 defining the interior space 754 therein. An annular locating feature 757 at the top of the conical wall 753 mates with an annular upper lip 705 (for example, a horizontal portion of the annular upper lip 705) of the inner capsule 701 so as to suspend the inner capsule 701 in the interior space 754 of the outer capsule 751. An annular flange 755 at the top of the annular locating feature 757 surrounds an opening to the interior space 754 of the outer capsule 751. The annular flange 755 is configured to locate the disposable package 700 in a receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. A liquid exit portion 758 in the conical wall 753 adjacent or at a tip 770 of the conical wall 753 of the outer capsule 751 is operable to dispense a beverage therefrom.
A puncturable lid 760 seals the opening of the interior spaces 704 and 754 of the respective inner and outer impermeable capsules 701, 751. The puncturable lid 760 is configured to be punctured by a liquid supply component of the beverage forming apparatus so that liquid supplied to the interior space 704 of the inner capsule 701 combines with the flavor medium 709 to form a beverage. The puncturable lid 760 is preferably sealed to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 705 with an adhesive, or alternatively the puncturable lid 760 can be heat sealed or ultrasonically welded to an upper surface of the annular upper lip 705. In an alternative embodiment, the puncturable lid 760 can be heat sealed, ultrasonically welded, or adhered to an upper surface of the annular flange 755. The inner capsule 701 preferably deforms (ruptures) due to internal pressure during delivery of a liquid in the interior space 704 thereof such that a tubular side wall 703 and bottom wall 702 thereof move downwardly away from the annular upper lip 705 and the annular shelf 412 tears away from the at least one vertical indentation 711 of the inner capsule 701 to form the at least one respective through opening 708 in the annular shelf 707 such that the beverage may be dispensed through the at least one respective through opening 708 and enter the interior space 754 of the outer capsule 751. Preferably, each vertical indentation 711 tears away from the annular shelf 707 to form respective through openings 708. The beverage which enters the interior space 754 of the outer capsule 751 may be dispensed from the outer capsule 751 in a controlled manner through the liquid exit portion 758 adjacent or at the tip 770 of the conical wall 753 of the outer capsule 751.
Preferably, the outer impermeable capsule 751 is formed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene. Preferably, a lower surface of the annular upper lip 705 of the inner capsule 701 is adhered, ultrasonically welded, or heat sealed to an upper surface of the annular locating feature 755 of the outer capsule 751. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 758 of the outer capsule 751 can be an opening, or an opening which has a seal that a user may remove before inserting the disposable capsule in the receptacle of the beverage forming apparatus. In an embodiment, the opening can include a dissolvable seal which may dissolve when contacted by the beverage. In an embodiment, the liquid exit portion 758 of the outer capsule 751 can include a puncturable region thereof wherein the beverage forming apparatus is configured to puncture the puncturable region of the outer capsule body 751 during use thereof such that a beverage may be dispensed through the liquid exit portion 758. In an embodiment, the beverage forming apparatus can be operable to puncture the puncturable region of the outer capsule body 751 at a predetermined time, such as before, during, or after the beverage has entered the interior space 754 of the outer capsule 751.
Embodiments of the impermeable capsules 101, 201, 301, 601 and the inner and outer capsules 401, 451, 501, 551, 701, and 751 are preferably formed by thermoforming a sheet or film of polymer material. Alternatively, the capsules may be molded, injection molded, or hydroformed. A flavor medium is disposed in the interior space of a thermoformed impermeable capsule 101, 201, 301, 601 or the inner thermoformed impermeable capsule 401, 501, 701 and sealed therein with a puncturable lid. In an embodiment, as illustrated in
To make a beverage, a disposable package is located in a receptacle of a beverage forming apparatus. The puncturable lid may be sealed to a portion of the apparatus and punctured with a liquid delivery component of the beverage forming apparatus wherein liquid is supplied to fill the interior space of the capsule. The liquid combines with the flavor medium to form a beverage. A pressure buildup in the interior space of the capsule causes the at least one through opening in the annular shelf to open so as to allow the beverage to be dispensed therethrough. The beverage is dispensed through the at least one through opening of the capsule wherein the beverage can be received by a glass, cup, or vessel which holds the dispensed beverage. In an embodiment, the capsule can be an inner capsule wherein the beverage is dispensed through the through openings of the inner capsule to an interior space of an outer capsule in which the inner capsule is disposed. The beverage can then be dispensed through a liquid exit portion of the outer capsule and received by a glass, cup, or vessel which holds the dispensed beverage.
In an alternate embodiment, to make a beverage, a disposable package is located in a receptacle of a beverage forming apparatus. The puncturable lid is sealed to a portion of the apparatus and punctured with a liquid delivery component of the beverage forming apparatus wherein liquid is supplied to fill the interior space of a capsule if the disposable package. The liquid combines with the flavor medium to form a beverage. Pressure buildup in the interior space of the capsule causes the at least one through opening in the annular shelf to tear open so as to allow the liquid to be dispensed through the at least one through opening thereof. The beverage is dispensed through the at least one through opening wherein the beverage can be received by a glass, cup, or vessel which holds the dispensed beverage. In an embodiment, the capsule can be an inner capsule wherein the beverage is dispensed through the at least one through opening of the inner capsule to an interior space of an outer capsule in which the inner capsule is disposed. The beverage can then be dispensed through a liquid exit portion of the outer capsule and received by a glass, cup, or vessel which holds the dispensed beverage.
In an embodiment, the beverage forming apparatus can be operable to spin the disposable package, crush the disposable package, or direct a pressurized gas flow to the interior space of the capsule or the inner capsule so as to remove any residual beverage from the disposable package. Alternatively, the beverage forming apparatus can be operable to puncture the bottom surface of the capsule or inner capsule after the beverage has been made so as to allow residual liquid and flavor medium to exit the capsule or the inner capsule (and respectively the outer capsule).
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/137,024, filed on Mar. 23, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/137,067, filed on Mar. 23, 2015, the entire contents of which are both incorporated herein by reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62137024 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62137067 | Mar 2015 | US |
