Infusible material capsule for brewing a beverage
First Claim
1. A material capsule (20) for use in apparatus (100) for dispensing a beverage into a beverage receptacle (103) wherein the apparatus includes structure (127, 132) for delivering liquid to said capsule and a capsule receiving station (112) that supports said capsule, said capsule including a capsule base (21) containing the material therein, dispensing structure (33) on said capsule base for directing beverage to the receptacle, said capsule base having a floor with a centrally positioned aperture (34) forming part of said dispensing structure and a tubular spout (35) extending from said floor forming a passage from the floor aperture, said spout terminating in a sharp free end, and standoff structure including a collar (40) extending from said capsule base proximate said dispensing structure and forming a free end (41) wherein said material capsule further comprises sealing structure including a sealing foil (42) positioned below the sharp free end of said spout and attached to the free end of said standoff structure for sealing said dispensing structure, said sealing foil rupturing against the sharp free end of the spout of said dispensing structure as said capsule seats in said capsule receiving station thereby to enable beverage to pass from said capsule through said aperture and tubular spout of said dispensing structure to the beverage receptacle.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sealed capsule for use in apparatus including a capsule receiving station and a water delivery system for brewing a hot beverage in which a hot liquid under pressure infuses a material. A capsule base has a concave bottom floor with angularly spaced structural ribs that form channels for directing brewed beverage to a sharpened spout. A collar surrounds the dispensing spout. A foil attaches to the collar to overlie the spout. A filter lies on the structural ribs. Infusible material lies on the filter. A water distribution plate overlies the infusible material. A cover closes the base unit and includes a water inlet. As the capsule seats in the capsule receiving station, the foil seal is forced over the sharpened spout to rupture and enable brewed beverage to be dispersed. A probe of the water delivery system also penetrates the cover to direct water into the capsule without contacting the infusible material or the brewed beverage.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A material capsule (20) for use in apparatus (100) for dispensing a beverage into a beverage receptacle (103) wherein the apparatus includes structure (127, 132) for delivering liquid to said capsule and a capsule receiving station (112) that supports said capsule, said capsule including a capsule base (21) containing the material therein, dispensing structure (33) on said capsule base for directing beverage to the receptacle, said capsule base having a floor with a centrally positioned aperture (34) forming part of said dispensing structure and a tubular spout (35) extending from said floor forming a passage from the floor aperture, said spout terminating in a sharp free end, and standoff structure including a collar (40) extending from said capsule base proximate said dispensing structure and forming a free end (41) wherein said material capsule further comprises sealing structure including a sealing foil (42) positioned below the sharp free end of said spout and attached to the free end of said standoff structure for sealing said dispensing structure, said sealing foil rupturing against the sharp free end of the spout of said dispensing structure as said capsule seats in said capsule receiving station thereby to enable beverage to pass from said capsule through said aperture and tubular spout of said dispensing structure to the beverage receptacle.
Specification