Cartridge and method for the preparation of beverages
First Claim
1. A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient, the cartridge having an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet fixed relative to the inlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the liquid chocolate ingredient and at least one inlet for air and means for generating a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, whereby, in use, air from the at least one air inlet is incorporated into the beverage as a plurality of small bubbles wherein the inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge is on the same side of the cartridge as the outlet and wherein an annular bowl is disposed in the cartridge and has feed apertures to permit the liquid chocolate ingredient to drip into a beverage flow path to hold back a proportion of the liquid chocolate ingredient and release it into a liquid stream flow path extending toward the outlet.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient.
214 Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient, the cartridge having an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet fixed relative to the inlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the liquid chocolate ingredient and at least one inlet for air and means for generating a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, whereby, in use, air from the at least one air inlet is incorporated into the beverage as a plurality of small bubbles wherein the inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge is on the same side of the cartridge as the outlet and wherein an annular bowl is disposed in the cartridge and has feed apertures to permit the liquid chocolate ingredient to drip into a beverage flow path to hold back a proportion of the liquid chocolate ingredient and release it into a liquid stream flow path extending toward the outlet.
- 15. A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient, wherein the cartridge comprises an outer member and an inner member contained entirely within the outer member and conjoined on assembly with the outer member, wherein an annular bowl is disposed in the cartridge and surrounds a central discharge spout having the outlet of the cartridge at one end, and wherein an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge is on the same side of the cartridge as an outlet.
- 18. A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient, the cartridge having an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the liquid chocolate ingredient and at least one inlet for air and means for generating a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, whereby, in use, air from the at least one air inlet is incorporated into the beverage as a plurality of small bubbles, wherein an annular bowl is disposed in the cartridge and has an opening facing away from a beverage flow path from the inlet to the outlet and a closed portion bordering the beverage flow path.
- 21. A cartridge as claimed in 20 wherein the inlet is on the same side of the cartridge as the outlet.
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23. A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient, the cartridge having an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet fixed relative to the inlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the liquid chocolate ingredient and at least one inlet for air and means for generating a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, whereby, in use, air from the at least one air inlet is incorporated into the beverage as a plurality of small bubbles, wherein an annular bowl is disposed in the cartridge and has an opening facing away from a beverage flow path upstream of the outlet, and wherein the outlet and the air inlet are covered by a common seal.
Specification