System and method for the preparation of beverages

• US 20040191370A1
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kraft Foods Incorporated (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ballard, Colin, Halliday, Andrew, Panesar, Satwinder
• Granted Patent: US 7,592,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/112
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0673 Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3695 Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4407 Lids, covers or knobs
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/446 Filter holding means; Attachment of filters to beverage-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4492 Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8043 Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0812 Bottles, cartridges or similar containers

Abstract

A method of preparing a beverage comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a first beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients into a beverage preparation machine;

b) operating said beverage preparation machine to pass an aqueous medium through the first beverage cartridge to dispense a first portion of said beverage into a receptacle;

c) inserting a second beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients into the beverage preparation machine; and

d) operating the beverage preparation machine to pass an aqueous medium through the second beverage cartridge to dispense a second portion of said beverage into the receptacle;

wherein one of the first or second beverage cartridges contains a liquid dairy-based ingredient.

Claims

1. A beverage preparation system comprising a beverage preparation machine having means for receiving a range of beverage cartridges and means for passing an aqueous medium through said beverage cartridges, a first beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients for preparing a first portion of said beverage, and a second beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients for preparing a second portion of said beverage, wherein that one of the first or second beverage cartridges contains a liquid dairy-based ingredient.

2. A method of preparing a beverage comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a first beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients into a beverage preparation machine;

b) operating said beverage preparation machine to pass an aqueous medium through the first beverage cartridge to dispense a first portion of said beverage into a receptacle;

c) inserting a second beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients into the beverage preparation machine; and

d) operating the beverage preparation machine to pass an aqueous medium through the second beverage cartridge to dispense a second portion of said beverage into the receptacle;

wherein that one of the first or second beverage cartridges contains a liquid dairy-based ingredient.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein one of the first or second beverage cartridges contains an ingredient for forming a brewed portion of a beverage.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising the step of removing the first beverage cartridge before inserting the second beverage cartridge.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the beverage ingredient in the first or second beverage cartridge is roast and ground coffee.

6. A method as claimed in claims 4 wherein the beverage ingredient in the first or second beverage cartridge is leaf-based tea.

7. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the beverage ingredient in the first or second beverage cartridge is a liquid coffee ingredient.

8. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the liquid dairy-based ingredient is a concentrated dairy-based product.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the concentrated dairy-based product is concentrated liquid milk.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the concentrated liquid milk contains between 25 and 40% total solids.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the concentrated liquid milk contains 30% total solids.

12. A method as claimed in claims 11 wherein the concentrated liquid milk contains between 0.1 and 12% fat.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising the step of foaming the one or more liquid dairy-based ingredients during dispensation.