PL205052B1 - Cartridge for the preparation of beverages and method of manufacturing a cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A cartridge (1) containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an outlet (122) for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the cartridge comprises an outer member (2) and an inner member (3), characterised by the inner member comprising a discharge spout (43) defining the outlet of the cartridge.

Description

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation cartridge and a method of producing the cartridge. The invention relates in particular to a sealed cartridge which is formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials and which comprises one or more beverage preparation ingredients.

It has previously been proposed to seal beverage preparation ingredients in individual airtight packages. For example, cartridges or capsules containing pressed ground coffee are known for use in certain coffee production machines, which are generally referred to as "espresso" machines. When producing coffee by using these machines to produce it. The coffee cartridge is placed in the brewing chamber and hot water is passed through the cartridge at relatively high pressures, thereby extracting aroma coffee components from the ground coffee to produce a coffee beverage. Typically, such a machine is operated at a pressure greater than 6x10 ⁵ Pa. Beverage machines of the type previously described are relatively expensive since machine components such as the water pump and seals must be able to withstand high pressures.

In WO 01/58786 is described a cartridge for the preparation of beverages which works EXAMPLE pressure generally in the range 0.7 to 2.0 x 10 ⁵ Pa. However, the cartridge is intended for use in a beverage preparation machine for a commercial or industrial market and is relatively expensive. Hence, there remains a requirement for a cartridge for producing a beverage wherein the cartridges and the beverage production machine are convenient, in particular, to the household market in terms of cost, appearance and reliability.

It has also been shown that it is difficult to sterilize beverage cartridges of the types described above due to the tight and tortuous passageways that are formed in the bodies of the cartridge. Sterilization, for example, by exposing the cartridge to steam vapors, may not be fully effective for winding passageways due to surface tension properties of the cartridge which prevent vapor vapor from entering the winding passageways and, therefore, prevent entire component surfaces from being exposed. to steam vapors.

Beverage cartridges can be prone to spattering and splashing problems when, when dispensing a beverage from the cartridge, the beverage is splashed or splashed out of the container enclosure walls. This is especially the case with beverages dispensed at relatively high pressure. It has been attempted to alleviate this problem by providing a discharge probe on a beverage production machine which guides the beverage into the container. However, the drain probe tends to become contaminated with the residual beverage therein and is difficult to clean. Further, there is a risk of cross-contamination between cartridge types.

Moreover, in the cartridge disclosed in WO 01/58786, the beverage stream is shaped by passing the beverage through an opening. It has proven difficult to accurately determine the size and location of holes in this type. Accurate sizing and orientation of the opening is very important as it is critical to proper entrainment of air bubbles in the final beverage. Forming small holes is especially difficult in injection molded components where the hole orientation is internal and surrounded by other parts of the component. The traditional way of shaping an opening is to use a forming pin sized according to the required diameter of the opening. However, the holes formed by the forming pins can normally only face the opening of the component (which opening allows the forming pin to access the component during molding). In the beverage cartridge, this results in a very quick dispensing of the beverage out of the opening at speeds up to 12-16 m / s as it is directed straight towards the outlet.

One factor in the reliability of the cartridges is their ability to withstand internal pressurization. Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage cartridge with increased ability to withstand internal pressurization.

In order to reduce the cost of such cartridges it is desirable for them to be manufactured in a simple, reliable manner. In particular, it is desirable to reduce the degree of manual grasp of the cartridge components during their manufacture and to reduce the overall number of components.

According to the invention, the beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials has an inlet for introducing an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for draining a beverage made from one

Or more beverage ingredients, and further consisting of an outer member and an inner member joined during assembly, characterized in that the inner member comprises a spout defining an outlet of the cartridge.

Preferably, the launder is integral with the inner member.

Preferably, the launder comprises a conical portion.

Preferably, the launder comprises a cylindrical portion.

Preferably, the launder comprises a septum extending at least a part of the length of the launder.

Preferably, the outer member and the inner member are connected by a latching device.

Preferably, the latching device comprises a portion on the inner member and a portion on the outer member cooperating with each other.

Preferably, the outer member comprises a closed end and an open end, wherein when the inner member is connected to the outer member, the mouth of the launder is directed towards the open second end of the outer member.

Preferably, the inlet is directed towards the open end of the outer member.

Preferably, the outer member and the inner member are connected at or near the closed end of the outer member.

Preferably, the outer member comprises an inwardly directed cylindrical extension that is positioned at the proximal end of the launder at the connection of the outer member and the inner member.

Preferably, the inner member comprises an annular frame having a filter disposed thereon.

Preferably, at least one channel is formed between the frame and the closed end of the outer member at the connection of the inner member and the outer member.

Preferably, at least one channel is delimited by ribs extending upwardly from the frame to the closed end of the outer member.

Preferably, at least one channel is inclined downwards towards the launder.

Preferably, the inner member comprises a skirt surrounding the launder.

Preferably, the cover comprises an upper extension which, when assembling the cartridge, contacts the closed end of the outer member.

Preferably, the top edge of the top extension engages a mating portion of the outer member to form a latch device for connecting the inner member to the outer member.

Preferably, the cooperating portion of the outer member faces inwardly the cylindrical extension.

Preferably, the cartridge is disc-shaped.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises means for producing a flow of the drink, which means include a gap situated in the flow path of the drink between the inlet and the outlet.

Preferably, the inlet and / or outlet are covered with a substantially air and water impermeable material prior to forming, in use, an inlet and / or outlet of the cartridge.

Preferably, the inlet and / or the outlet are covered by a substantially air and water impermeable laminate.

Preferably the laminate is polypropylene.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed of polypropylene.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed from a biodegradable polymer.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed by injection molding.

Preferably, the inner member is a load-bearing member.

Preferably the percentage of beverage yield made from one or more beverage ingredients contained in the cartridge is within 1.0 standard deviations.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials has an inlet for introducing an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet for a beverage made of one or more beverage ingredients, and further consisting of from an outer member and an inner member inserted into the outer member and the assembly for producing a beverage stream containing

The slot situated in the beverage flow path connecting the inlet to the outlet is characterized in that the slot is delimited by an intermediate surface between the inner member and the outer member.

Preferably, one of the inner member and outer member comprises an opening and the other of the inner member or outer member comprises a dam, the opening being partially covered by a dam delimiting the gap after the inner member is inserted into the outer member.

Preferably, the opening is an elongated slit.

Preferably, the elongate slot is contained within the inner member.

Preferably, the outer member comprises a dam.

Preferably, the dam comprises an extension of the outer member, at least a portion of which extends into the inner member.

Preferably, the elongate slot is formed in the cylindrical wall of the inner member.

Preferably, the elongate slit extends to the top edge of the cylindrical wall.

Preferably, a cylindrical extension of the outer member is disposed inside the cylindrical wall of the inner member, which forms a sliding connection inside the cylindrical wall.

Preferably, the slit has a cross-sectional area of 0.4 to 0.7 mm ² .

Preferably, the cartridge comprises at least one air inlet and means for generating a pressure reduction of the beverage stream.

Preferably, at least one air inlet is located in the inner member downstream of the slot.

Preferably, the inner member includes a launder defining an outlet.

Preferably, the beverage flow path leads from the slot to the launder.

Preferably, the mouth of the slot is located above the surface of the launder next to the mouth.

Preferably, the runner surface is a concave runner wall.

Preferably the concave wall is located on the opposite side of the launder to the slot.

Preferably, the slot is oriented to direct the drink flow at an angle substantially perpendicular to the drink flow from the outlet.

Preferably, the launder is integral with the inner member.

The cartridge may be disc-shaped.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed of polypropylene.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed from a biodegradable polymer.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed by injection molding.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the beverage production cartridge comprises one or more beverage ingredients and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials, having a chamber for containing one or more beverage ingredients, which comprises a plurality of inlet openings for introducing an aqueous medium into the chamber and a plurality of openings. outlets for a beverage made from one or more beverage ingredients, at least some of the inlet openings being offset with respect to the outlets, and at least a portion of the aqueous medium entering the chamber through the inlet openings is forced to circulate inside the chamber before the outlets leave the chamber, characterized in that the inlet openings are arranged around the periphery of the chamber.

Preferably the inlet openings are evenly spaced around the periphery of the chamber.

Preferably the outlet openings are located closer to the center of the chamber with respect to the inlet openings.

Preferably the outlet openings are evenly spaced around the center of the chamber.

Preferably, the cartridge has from 3 to 10 inlet holes.

Preferably, the cartridge has 4 inlet openings (36).

Preferably, the cartridge comprises 3 to 10 exit holes.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises 5 exit holes.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises an unequal number of inlets and outlets.

Preferably, the number of inlet and outlet openings is determined by the formula:

X0 = Xi + C where

Xi = number of inlet holes

X0 = number of outlets

PL 205 052 B1

C = set of positive or negative integers excluding 0 or nXi n = any integer.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises an equal number of inlets and outlets.

Preferably, the inlet openings are located in the outer member of the cartridge and the outlet openings are located in the inner member of the cartridge.

Preferably, the inner member comprises a launder connected to the outlet openings.

The cartridge may be disc-shaped.

Preferably, the flow path of the aqueous medium from the inlets to the chamber is radially inward toward the center of the cartridge.

Preferably, one or more beverage ingredients are soluble in the aqueous medium.

Preferably one or more beverage ingredients are liquid chocolate or coffee ingredient.

Preferably, the one or more beverage ingredients is a concentrated liquid or gel.

Preferably, the liquid beverage ingredient has a viscosity at ambient temperature of between 70 and 3900 mPa.

Preferably, the liquid beverage ingredient has a viscosity at ambient temperature of between 1700 and 3900 mPa.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed of polypropylene.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member is formed by injection molding.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed from a biodegradable polymer.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the cartridge for producing a beverage containing one or more beverage ingredients and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials and having an outer member defining a chamber in which one or more beverage ingredients are stored and an inner member having a spout defining an outlet for an outflow of a beverage made from one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that the inner member is a load-bearing member.

Preferably, the inner member and the outer member are separate components which are connected to each other when the cartridge is assembled.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises a filter connected to the inner member.

Preferably, the inner member is a load-bearing member with a stiffness such as to carry a compressive load greater than 130N through the cartridge.

Preferably, the load bearing member has a stiffness to transmit a compressive force greater than 200 N.

Preferably, the load bearing member has a stiffness that allows the load bearing member to transmit a compressive force greater than 130N.

Preferably, the inner member is formed of polypropylene.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed from a biodegradable polymer.

Preferably, the inner member and the launder are formed as one piece.

In a fifth variant of the invention, the beverage production cartridge comprises one or more beverage ingredients and formed of substantially air and water impermeable materials, having a housing having a closed end and an open end that defines a compartment in which one or more beverage ingredients are stored. wherein the open second end of the housing is sealed by the lid, characterized in that it includes a load bearing member extending between the closed end of the housing and the lid, the load bearing member being located at or near the center of the cartridge.

Preferably, the load bearing member comprises a discharge chute defining an outlet for an outflow of a beverage formed from one or more beverage ingredients.

Preferably, the load bearing member has a stiffness such that the cartridge carries a compressive load greater than 130 N.

Preferably, the load transmitting member has a stiffness such that the cartridge transmits a compressive force greater than 200 N.

Preferably, the load-bearing member has a stiffness such that it can transmit a compressive force greater than 130 N.

In a sixth embodiment of the invention, the beverage cartridge comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed essentially of air and water impermeable materials and comprises an outer member defining a chamber in which one or more is stored.

Of the beverage ingredients, an inner member having a spout defining an outlet for the outflow of a beverage formed from one or more beverage ingredients and a filter positioned between the plenum and the spout, characterized in that the inner member and the filter are connected together with the outer member via with at least one weld.

Preferably, the outer member has an open end for access to the chamber, the inner member and the filter being joined together with the outer member at a closed end opposite the open end.

Preferably, the inner member, outer member and filter are annular.

Preferably, the weld is substantially circular.

Preferably, the inner member and outer member are plastics, and at least one weld is an ultrasonically formed weld.

Preferably, the inner member comprises a frame and at least one weld is formed around the periphery of the frame.

Preferably, the frame comprises a plurality of ribs extending upwardly from the frame towards the closed end of the outer member to form one or more channels between the frame and the closed end of the outer member, and welds are formed between the ribs and the closed end of the outer member.

In a seventh embodiment of the invention, a beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and formed essentially of air and water impermeable materials, including an inlet for introducing an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for draining a beverage made of one or more of the ingredients. of the beverage, characterized in that it comprises an outer member and an inner member connected to each other, the inner member forming the mouth of the cartridge and the outer member and inner member being connected by a snap-fit device.

Preferably, the latch device comprises cooperating portions on the inner member and the outer member.

Preferably, the outer member has a closed end and an open end, with the inner member snap-fitting to the outer member, the mouth of the inner member faces the open end of the outer member.

Preferably, the inlet is directed towards the open end of the outer member.

Preferably, the outer member and inner member snap together at or near the closed end of the outer member.

Preferably, the snap-fit connection between the inner member and outer member is a watertight connection.

Preferably, the inner member comprises a skirt surrounding the mouth, and the skirt has an upper extension having an upper edge that engages, after the cartridge has been assembled, a mating portion of the outer member to form a latch device connecting the inner member to the outer member.

Preferably, the cooperating portion of the outer member faces inwardly the cylindrical extension.

Preferably, the inner member includes a launder defining an outlet.

Preferably, the outer member comprises an inwardly directed cylindrical extension which is positioned at the upper end of the launder with the outer member and inner member connected.

Preferably, the launder is integral with the inner member.

Preferably, the launder comprises a conical portion.

Preferably, the launder comprises a cylindrical portion.

Preferably, the launder comprises a septum extending at least a part of the length of the launder.

The cartridge may be disc-shaped.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises means for producing a stream of the drink which means include a gap situated in the flow path of the drink between the inlet and the outlet.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member are formed of polypropylene.

Preferably, the outer member and / or the inner member is formed by injection molding.

According to the invention, a method of producing a cartridge for producing a beverage wherein a cartridge is formed of substantially air and water impermeable materials comprising an outer member defining a chamber and receiving one or more beverage ingredients and an inner member having an inner member fitted in the outer member. a spout forming an outlet for the outflow of a drink formed from one or more beverage ingredients and the filter, characterized in that the inner member and the filter are connected in one step to the outer member by welding.

The welding is preferably carried out by ultrasonic welding.

Preferably a first welding line is formed around the periphery of the inner member and the filter.

Preferably, a second welding line is formed around the inner member and the filter at or near the runner.

The cartridge of the present invention is easily assembled from the main components of an inner member and an outer member. By using separate components for the inner and outer members, which are then interconnected during assembly, the manufacture of each component can be optimized. This is particularly advantageous in the cartridge of the present invention where very small tolerances are desired since the flow path of the beverage through the cartridge is defined by the interface between the outer member and the inner member. Moreover, the components of the inner member and outer member can be more easily sterilized before assembling, when separated. When the components are interconnected, a number of tortuous pathways are created with small openings which cannot be effectively sterilized using known methods. The ability to sterilize the components is a particularly advantageous feature when the cartridges are used to dispense dairy based beverages. Moreover, by using separate components that are associated with each other, it is not required that the cartridge is turned over during assembly, since joining the inner member and, optionally, a filter, filling with beverage ingredients and attaching a lid such as a laminate can all be performed with the member. outside in one position.

The cartridge drain chute serves to direct the drainage drink into a reservoir such as a cup. The drain chute eliminates excessive splashing or splashing of the beverage and is also useful in adjusting the flow properties of the beverage as it is transferred from the cartridge to the container. For example, the spout may be configured to reduce the degree of turbulence imparted to the drink to avoid unnecessarily reducing the amount of bubbles contained in the drink. Also preferably, the cartridge itself comprises a runner instead of providing a separate runner or probe in the beverage production machine. Thus, there is no risk of cross-contamination of the beverage types between dispensing cycles as each runner is used only once and then removed from the remainder of the cartridge. Also, preferably, the beverage drained through the spout will not be in contact with the outlet mechanism of the beverage production machine, thus avoiding the beverage preparation machine getting dirty with beverage residue. Preferably, the launder is integral with the inner member. Preferably, the launder and inner member are molded or otherwise fabricated as an integral, single piece, which reduces cartridge manufacturing cost and reduces the number of components that need to be assembled.

The runner baffle reduces the amount of the drink that will splash and splash during dispensing.

The latch device of the cartridge provides for quick assembly but secures the way the inner member and outer member engage. Advantageously, the snap-in device obviates the need for adhesives or other such sticking substances on the interior of the cartridge that will be exposed to the beverage ingredients.

In the cartridge of the invention, the inlet and outlet face the same side of the cartridge, which allows the cartridge to be used in a low machine, where the piercing means for forming the inlet and outlet, in use, extend from one plane of the beverage production machine.

The connection of the inner and outer members of the cartridge is obtained at a point remote from the open end, or throat, of the outer member. Advantageously, the joining step may be performed prior to filling the cartridge with the beverage ingredients and prior to sealing the open end or throat of the cartridge. This simplifies the assembly process as the inner and outer members may first be co-connected to form a cartridge subassembly which can then be transferred to a filling station on the packaging line where one or more beverage ingredients are inserted. The filled cartridge is then sealed, for example, by a laminate sheet that is heat sealed to the open end of the outer member. This folding process eliminates the difficult task of aligning and keeping the outer member, inner member and laminate in alignment during the heat sealing step.

PL 205 052 B1

The cartridge of the present invention produces a beverage stream that can be used to alter the appearance and characteristics of the dispensed beverage by, for example, entraining air into the beverage stream to create multiple small air bubbles in the dispensed beverage. The cartridge of the present invention is easily assembled from the main components of an inner member and an outer member. By using separate components for the inner and outer members, which are then advantageously co-connected during assembly, the manufacture of each component and the assembly of the cartridge can be optimized. This is particularly advantageous in the cartridge of the present invention where very small tolerances are required for the size and orientation of the gap that produces the beverage stream and also for the remaining flow path of the beverage through the cartridge. Moreover, the slit may be oriented perpendicular to the general direction of the flow path such that the beverage hits the wall or surface of the cartridge and thus slows down before dispensing. As described above, such precision and slot alignment is difficult to achieve with injection molded components. According to the present invention, this difficulty has been overcome by delimiting the gap and by providing an interface between the inner member and outer member rather than by shaping the entire gap in a single component with, for example, a forming pin.

Due to the at least one air inlet and the means for generating a pressure reduction of the drink stream, in use, air from the at least one air inlet is introduced into the drink in the form of a plurality of small bubbles. Preferably, at least one air inlet is provided in the inner member downstream from the slot. Preferably, the beverage stream emerging from the slit is directed to the launder where it may impinge upon the surface of the launder between exiting the slit and exiting the spout. The drink as it flows is deflected before it exits the cartridge, which results in a slowing down of the drink which is desirable to prevent splashing in the reservoir.

The components of the inner member and outer member can more easily be sterilized prior to assembly when separated. When the components are brought together, a number of tortuous pathways with small holes are created that cannot be effectively sterilized using known methods. The ability to sterilize components is a particularly advantageous feature where the cartridges are used to dispense dairy based beverages.

The drain chute may be integral with the inner member. A drain chute serves to direct a drainage drink to a container such as a cup. The drain chute eliminates excessive splashing or splashing of the beverage and is also useful in adjusting the flow properties of the beverage as it is transferred from the cartridge to the container. For example, the spout may be configured to reduce the degree of turbulence imparted to the drink to avoid unnecessarily reducing the amount of bubbles contained in the drink. Also, the cartridge as such includes a runner and no separate runner is provided in the beverage production machine. Thus, there is no risk of cross-contamination of beverage types between dispensing cycles as each runner is used only once and then removed from the remainder of the cartridge. Also, preferably, the beverage being drained from the spout will not come into contact with the outlet mechanism of the beverage production machine, thereby eliminating fouling of the beverage production machine. Preferably, the launder and inner member are molded or otherwise manufactured as an integral, single piece, which reduces the cost of manufacturing the cartridge and reduces the number of components that need to be assembled.

In the cartridge of the invention, the aqueous medium is forced to circulate in the chamber before exiting through the outlet slots. This increases the degree of mixing of the aqueous center and the beverage ingredients because substantially all of the beverage ingredient portions in the chamber are in contact by the flow of the aqueous center.

The equal arrangement of the inlet and outlet openings provides more uniform flow properties within the chamber allowing the beverage ingredients and the aqueous medium to mix more uniformly.

The selection of the number of inlet and outlet openings in the above pattern is particularly advantageous where the cartridge is disc-shaped and the openings are evenly spaced around the disc, as it is not then necessary to carefully align the components of the cartridge with the inlets and openings during assembly. outlet. Arrangement of the components with one another is possible as long as at least some of the inlet and outlet openings are not aligned. For example, with four inlets and five

With the outlet openings all evenly spaced, it is impossible to align more than one inlet with the outlet regardless of the alignment of the components including the inlet and outlet ports. This results in a faster and simpler folding procedure. Alternatively, the cartridge may include equal numbers of inlet and outlet openings, but the spatial orientation of the cartridge may be selected to ensure that at least a proportion of the inlets and outlets is not aligned.

The cartridge according to the invention finds particular application with viscous liquid or gels beverage ingredients. In one application, the liquid chocolate component is contained in the cartridge 1 with a viscosity of between 1700 and 3900 mPa at ambient temperature and between 5000 and 10000 mPa at 0 ° C and 67 Brix ± 3 refractive extract components. In a further application, the liquid coffee is contained in the cartridge 1 with a viscosity between 70 and 2000 mPa at ambient temperature and between 80 and 5000 mPa at 0 ° C, wherein the total coffee solids level is between 40 and 70%.

With soluble beverage ingredients such as a viscous liquid or gel, inaccurate mixing of the ingredients with the aqueous center can be a particular problem. In particular, in a cartridge containing such products, channels connecting the inlet to the outlet of the cartridge can be rapidly formed by local dissolution of the ingredient. The channels then create a flow path with relatively low resistance to residual aqueous medium, which will tend to flow along these channels rather than through the remaining undissolved component in the chamber. The cartridge of the present invention largely solves this problem by forcing the aqueous medium to recirculate inside the chamber which works not only to dissolve a larger proportion of the ingredients but also to create turbulence inside the chamber which improves the mixing of the remaining ingredient which in turn prevents creating or maintaining low resistance of the flow paths connecting the inlet ports to the outlet ports.

The cartridge according to the present invention is a robust mechanism for dispensing beverages. In particular, the inner member forming the load-bearing member enables the cartridge to withstand relatively high compressive loads in use. This allows the cartridge to be used in a beverage production machine that subjects the cartridge to a compressive load prior to starting the dispensing cycle. This also reduces the likelihood of damage to the cartridge when it is pressurized internally. Further, the application of a compressive load to the cartridge ensures that the components of the cartridge are held firmly and precisely in place.

The cartridge of the present invention can be assembled in a reliable manner with minimal hand holding to the components. Moreover, the outer member, inner member and filter can be assembled first as a subassembly and then easily transported without risk of displacement of the filter. This allows the outer member, inner member and filter to be assembled at a location different from where the filling and sealing of the cartridge is taking place.

It will be understood that by the term "cartridge" as used herein is meant any package, container, sachet or reservoir that contains one or more beverage ingredients in the manner described. The cartridge can be rigid, nearly rigid or flexible.

The cartridge of the present invention may contain one or more beverage ingredients suitable for producing a beverage product. The beverage product may be, for example, one of coffees, teas, chocolates or dairy-based drinks including milk. The beverage ingredients can be powdered, ground, leafy or liquid. The beverage ingredients may be insoluble or soluble. Examples include roasted and ground coffee, leaf tea, powdered chocolate and soup, liquid milk beverage and concentrated fruit juices.

The cartridge of the present invention is easily assembled from the main components of an inner member and an outer member. By using separate components for the inner and outer members, which are then connected to each other during assembly by a snap device, the manufacture of each component and the assembly of the cartridge can be optimized. This is particularly advantageous in the cartridge of the present invention where very small tolerances are desired since the flow path of the beverage through the cartridge is defined by the interface between the outer member and the inner member. Moreover, the components of the inner member and outer member can be more easily sterilized before they are assembled when separated. When the components are snapped together, a number of tortuous passageways with small openings are created that cannot be effectively sterilized using known methods. The ability to sterilize the components is particularly advantageous

A feature where the cartridges are used to dispense a dairy based beverage. The latch device provides a quick folding but secures the way in which the inner member and outer member engage. Advantageously, the snap-in device obviates the need for glues or other such sticking substances on the interior of the cartridge that will be exposed to the beverage ingredients.

The outer member and the inner member of the cartridge snap together at or near the closed first end of the outer member. Thus, the joining of the inner and outer members is achieved at a point distant from the open end, or throat, of the outer member. Advantageously, the snap-fit step may be performed prior to loading the beverage ingredients into the cartridge and prior to sealing the open end or outlet of the cartridge. This simplifies the assembly process as the inner and outer members can first snap together to form a cartridge subassembly which can then be transferred to a filling station on the packaging line where one or more beverage ingredients are inserted. The filled cartridge is then sealed, for example, by a laminate sheet that is heat sealed to the open end of the outer member. This folding process eliminates the difficult task of aligning and keeping the outer member, inner member and laminate aligned during the heat sealing step.

Due to the fact that the cartridge itself includes a runner, and no separate runner is used in the beverage production machine, there is no risk of cross-contamination of beverage types between dispensing cycles as each runner is used only once and then disposed of with the remainder. cartridge. Therefore, the beverage being drained through the spout will not be in contact with the outlet mechanism of the beverage production machine thereby eliminating fouling of the beverage production machine. The drain chute and inner member, molded or otherwise formed as an integral, single piece, reduces cartridge manufacturing cost and reduces the number of components that need to be assembled.

The chute baffle reduces the amount of beverage splashed and splashed when draining.

In the following description, the terms "upper" and "lower" and equivalents will be used to describe the relative positioning of features of the invention. The terms "upper" and "lower" and equivalents should be understood with reference to the cartridge (or other components) in their normal orientation for insertion into a beverage preparation machine and subsequent dispensing. In particular, "upper" and "lower" refer to the relative positions near or further from the top surface 11 of the cartridge, respectively. In addition, the terms "inner" and "outer" and equivalents will be used to describe the relational positioning of features according to the invention. The terms "inner" and "outer" and equivalents should be understood in relation to the relative positions in the cartridge (or other components) being closer to or further away from the center or major axis of the cartridge (or other component), respectively.

The subject matter of the invention is illustrated in the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional drawing of an outer member of a first and a second version of cartridge according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional drawing of a detail of the outer member of Figure 1 showing an inwardly directed cylindrical extension; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional drawing of a detail of the outer member of Figure 1 showing a slot; Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the outer member of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of the outer member of Figure 1 in an inverted orientation; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the outer member of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional drawing of an inner member of a first version of cartridge; Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Figure 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Fig. 7 in an inverted orientation; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the inner member of Fig. 7; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional drawing of the first version of cartridge in assembly; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional drawing of an inner member of a second version of cartridge; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional drawing of a detail of the inner member of Figure 12 showing an opening; Figure 14 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Figure 12; Figure 15 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Figure 12 in an inverted orientation; Fig. 16 is a further cross-sectional drawing of the inner member of Fig. 12; Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional drawing of another detail of the inner member of Fig. 12 showing the air inlet; Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional drawing of the second version of cartridge in assembly; Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional drawing of the outer members of the third and fourth cartridge variants in accordance with the present invention; Figure 20 is a cross-sectional drawing of a detail of the outer member of Figure 19 showing an inwardly directed cylindrical extension; Figure 21 is a plan view of the outer member of Figure 19; Figure 22 is a perspective view from above of the outer member of Figure 19; Figure 23 is a perspective view from above of the outer member of Figure 19 in an inverted orientation; Figure 24 is a cross-sectional drawing of an inner member of a third version of cartridge; Fig. 25 is a plan view of the inner member of Fig. 24; Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional drawing of a detail of the inner member of Fig. 24 showing another upper rim; Figure 27 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Figure 24; Fig. 28 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Fig. 24 in an inverted orientation; Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional drawing of a third version of cartridge in an assembly; Fig. 30 is a drawing of a cross sectional view of an inner member of a fourth embodiment of cartridge according to the present invention; Fig. 31 is a plan view of the inner member of Fig. 30; Figure 32 is a perspective view from above of the inner part of Figure 30; Fig. 33 is a perspective view from above of the inner member of Fig. 30 in an inverted orientation; Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional drawing of a fourth version of cartridge in assembly; Figure 35a is a graph of concentration versus operating cycle time; Fig. 35b is a graph of foaming versus operating cycle time and Figure 35c is a graph of temperature versus operating cycle time.

As shown in Figure 11, the cartridge 1 of the present invention generally comprises an outer member 2, an inner member 3, and a laminate 5. The outer member 2, the inner member 3, and the laminate 5 are bonded to form the cartridge 1 which has an interior 120. for containing one or more beverage ingredients, an inlet 121, an outlet 122 and a beverage flow path connecting the inlet 121 to the outlet 122 and which passes through the interior 120. The inlet 121 and outlet 122 are initially sealed by the laminate 5 and are opened in use by punching or cutting the laminate 5. The beverage flow path is defined by the spatial interrelationships between the outer member 2, inner member 3 and the laminate 5 as discussed below. Other components may optionally be included in the cartridge 1, such as a filter 4, as will be described later below.

The first version of the cartridge 1 to be described for reference purposes is shown in Figures 1 to 11. The first version of the cartridge 1 is particularly intended for use in percolated dispensing products such as roasted and ground coffee or leaf tea. However, this cartridge variant 1 and the further variants described below can be used with other products such as chocolate, coffee, tea, sweeteners, sweet fruit drinks, spices, alcoholic beverages, flavored milk, fruit juices, fruit pulps, sauces and desserts.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, the overall shape of the cartridge 1 is generally circular or disk-shaped with a diameter of the cartridge 1 significantly greater than its height. A major axis X passes through the center of the outer member as shown in Fig. 1. Typically, the overall diameter of the outer member 2 is 74.5mm 6mm and the overall height is 16mm 3mm. Typically the volume of the cartridge 1 when assembled is 30.2 ml 20%.

The outer member 2 generally comprises a bowl-shaped shell 10 having a curved annular wall 13, a closed top 11 and an open bottom 12. The diameter of the outer member 2 is smaller at the top 11 compared to the diameter at the bottom 12 due to the widening of the annular wall 13 as it passes through. from a closed top 11 to an open bottom 12. The annular wall 13 and the closed bottom 11 together define a vessel having an interior 34.

Provided in the closed top 11 is a hollow in an inwardly directed cylindrical extension 18 centered on major axis X. As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the cylindrical extension 18 includes a stepped outline having first, second and third portions 19, 20 and 21. First portion 19 is straight circular cylindrical. The second portion 20 is frusto-conical and tapers inwardly. The third portion 21 is another straight circular cylinder and terminates in a lower surface 31. The diameter of the first, second and third portions 19, 20 and 21 increases progressively so that the diameter of the cylindrical extension 18 increases as it moves from the top 11 to the closed lower surface 31 of the cylindrical extension 18. A generally horizontal shoulder 32 is formed on the cylindrical extension 18 at the joint between the second and third parts 20 and 21.

An outwardly extending shoulder 33 is formed in the outer member 2 towards the bottom 12. An outwardly extending shoulder 33 forms a secondary wall 15 coaxial with the annular wall 13 so as to define an annular path forming the channel 12

Between the secondary wall 15 and the annular wall 13. Distribution channel 16 extends around the circumference of outer member 2. A series of slots 17 are provided in the annular wall 13 at the same level with the distribution channel 16 to form a gaseous and fluid connection between the channel. distributor 16 and the interior 34 of outer member 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the slots 17 include vertical cuts in the annular wall 13. Between 20 and 40 are provided slits. In the embodiment shown, thirty-seven slots 17 are provided generally equidistant around the circumference of the distribution channel 16. The slots 17 are preferably between 1.4 and 1.8 mm in length. Typically, the length of each slot is 1.6mm representing 10% of the overall height of the outer member 2. The width of each slot is between 0.25 and 0.35mm. Typically, the width of each slot is 0.3mm. The width of the slots 17 is narrow enough to prevent beverage ingredients from passing through them into the distribution channel 16 either during storage or use.

An inlet chamber 26 is formed in the outer member 2 at the periphery of the outer member 2. A cylindrical wall 27 is provided, as most clearly shown in Figure 5, which defines an inlet chamber 26 inside, and in part an inlet chamber 26 from the inside 34 of the outer member 2. The cylindrical wall 27 has a closed top surface 28 which is formed on a plane perpendicular to the major axis X and an open lower end 29 co-planar with the bottom 12 of the outer member 2. The inlet chamber 26 is connected to the distribution channel 16 through two slots 30 as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively, one to four slots may be used for communication between the distribution channel 16 and the inlet chamber 26.

The lower end of the outwardly extending shoulder 33 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 35 which extends perpendicular to the major axis X. Typically the flange 35 is between 2 and 4 mm wide. A portion of the collar 35 is enlarged to form a handle 24 by which the outer member 2 can be held. The handle 24 is provided with an upturned rim 25 to improve grip.

The outer member 2 is formed as a single integral piece of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or a laminate of two or more of these materials. A suitable polypropylene is in the area of polymers available from DSM UK Limited (Redditch, UK). The outer member may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The manufacturing process may be injection molding.

The inner member 3, as shown in Figs. 7-10, comprises an annular frame 41 and a downwardly extending cylindrical funnel 40. A major axis X passes through the center of the inner member 3 as shown in Fig. 7.

As best shown in Figure 8, the annular frame 41 includes an outer rim 51 and an inner hub 52 connected by ten equidistant radial arms 53. Inner hub 52 is integral with and extends from the cylindrical funnel 40. Filter openings 55 are formed in the annular frame 41 between radial arms 53. The filter 4 is arranged on an annular frame 41 so as to cover the filter openings 55. The filter is preferably made of a high wet strength material, for example a fibrous non-woven polyester material. Other materials that may be used include a water-impermeable cellulosic material, such as a cellulosic material containing woven paper fibers. The woven paper fibers may additionally be blended with fibers of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and / or polyethylene. The incorporation of these plastic materials into the cellulosic materials makes the cellulosic material heat-tight. The filter 4 may also be treated or coated with a material that is activated by heat and / or pressure so that it can thus be sealed to the annular frame 41.

As shown in the cross-sectional outline of Fig. 7, inner hub 52 is positioned in the lower position, where the outer periphery 51, whereby the annular frame 41 has a sloped lower contour.

The top surface of each arm 53 is provided with an upwardly projecting rib 54 that divides the void above the annular frame 41 into a plurality of channels 57. Each channel 57 is limited on each side by a rib 54 and on the bottom surface by a filter 4. The channels 57 extend from the outer periphery 51 downwards towards and open to a cylindrical funnel 40 at the openings 56 defined by the inner edge sections of the ribs 54.

PL 205 052 B1

The barrel 40 comprises an outer tube 42 surrounding the inner drain tube 43. The outer tube 42 forms the outer wall of the cylindrical hopper 40. The drain tube 43 is connected to the outer tube 42 at the top end of the drain tube 43 by an annular collar 47. The drain tube 43 includes an inlet 45 at the upper end which is connected to the openings 56 of the channels 57 and the outlet 44 at the lower end through which the produced drink is drained into a cup or other reservoir. The discharge spout 43 has a frusto-conical portion 48 at its upper end and a cylindrical portion 58 at its lower end. The cylindrical portion 58 may have a smooth taper such that it tapers towards the outlet 44. The frustoconical portion 48 helps to direct the beverage from the channels 57 downwards towards the outlet 44 without creating turbulence in the drink. The top surface of the frusto-conical portion 48 is provided with four support ribs 49 equidistant around the circumference of the cylindrical funnel 40. The support ribs 49 define channels 50 therebetween. The upper edges of the support ribs 49 are level with each other and perpendicular to the major axis X.

The inner member 3 can be formed as a single integral piece of polypropylene or the like as described above and by injection molding in the same way as the outer member 2.

Alternatively, the inner member 3 and / or the outer member 2 may be made of a biodegradable polymer. Examples of useful materials include degradable polyethylene (e.g., SPITEK supplied by Symphony Environmental, Borehamwood, UK), biodegradable polyester amide (e.g., BAK 1095 supplied by Symphony Environmental), polylactic acids (PLA supplied by Cargil, Minnesota, USA ), starch-based polymers, cellulose derivatives and polypeptides.

The laminate 5 is formed of two layers, a first layer of aluminum and a second layer of molded polypropylene. The aluminum layer has a thickness between 0.02 and 0.07 mm. The cast polypropylene layer has a thickness between 0.025 and 0.065 mm. In one embodiment, the aluminum layer is 0.06 mm thick and the polypropylene layer is 0.025 mm thick. This laminate is particularly advantageous as it has a high resistance to curling during folding. As a result, the laminate 5 can be pre-cut into the correct size and shape and then transferred to the folding station on the production line without being distorted. Consequently, the laminate 5 is particularly well suited to welding. Other laminate materials can be used including PET / Aluminum / PP, PE / EVOH / PP, PET / metallized / PP and Aluminum / PP. The stock of spare roll laminates can be used in place of the spare stock of drawn cut laminates.

The cartridge 1 can be closed by a rigid or near-rigid lid instead of a flexible laminate.

Assembling the cartridge 1 includes the following steps:

a) the inner member 3 is placed in the outer member 2;

b) the filter 4 is cut to shape and placed in the inner member 3 so as to be received over the cylindrical funnel 40 and contact the annular frame 41;

c) the inner member 3, outer member 2 and filter 4 are joined by ultrasonic welding;

d) the cartridge 1 is filled with one or more beverage ingredients;

e) the laminate 5 is attached to the outer member 2.

These steps will be discussed in more detail below.

The outer member 2 is positioned with the open bottom 12 facing upwards. The inner member 3 is then inserted into the outer member 2 with the outer rim 51 taken as a spacious fit in the axial extension 14 at the top 11 of the cartridge 1. The cylindrical extension 18 of the outer member 2 is at the same time received at the top of the cylindrical funnel 40 of the inner member 3. The third part 21 of the cylindrical extension 18 is seated inside the cylindrical funnel 40 with the closed bottom surface 31 of the cylindrical extension 18 carried by the support ribs 49 of the inner member 3. The filter 4 is then positioned over the inner member 3 so that the filter material contacts the annular rim 51. Process ultrasonic welding is then used to connect the filter 4 to the inner member 3 and simultaneously, and in the same process step, the inner member 3 to the outer member 2. The inner member 3 and filter 4 are welded around the outer rim 51. The inner member 3 and the outer member 2 they are welded around the outer periphery 51 and also the edges of the upper ribs 54.

PL 205 052 B1

As shown most clearly in Fig. 11, the outer member 2 and the inner member 3, when connected together, define a void 130 in the interior 120 below the annular collar 41 and the outer side of the cylindrical funnel 40 which forms the filter chamber. The filter chamber 130 and the channels 57 above the annular arm 41 are separated by a paper filter 4.

The filter chamber 130 contains one or more beverage ingredients 200. The one or more beverage ingredients are packaged into the filter chamber 130. For filtered type beverages, the ingredient is typically roasted and ground coffee or leaf tea. The packing density of the beverage ingredients in the filter chamber 130 can be varied as desired. Typically, for filtered coffee products, the filter chamber contains between 5.0 and 10.2 grams of roast and ground coffee in a filter bed typically 5 to 14 mm thick. Optionally, interior 120 may include one or more bodies, such as spheres, that are freely movable within 120 to aid agitation by inducing turbulence and breaking down the beverage ingredient layers as the beverage is drained.

The laminate 5 is then attached to the outer member 2 by forming a weld 126 around the periphery of the laminate 5 to attach the laminate 5 to the bottom surface of the extending flange 35. The weld 126 is extended to seal the laminate 5 at the edge of the bottom cylindrical wall 27 of the inlet chamber 26. Further , a weld 125 is formed between the laminate 5 and the bottom edge of the outer tube 42 of the cylindrical funnel 40 such that the inner member 3 spans between the outer member 2 and the laminate 5. The laminate 5 forms the bottom wall of the filter chamber 130 and also seals the inlet chamber 26 and the cylindrical funnel. 40. However, a small gap 123 exists prior to dispensing between the laminate 5 and the bottom edge of the pouring tube 43. Various welding methods may be used such as heat or ultrasonic welding depending on the material properties of the laminate 5.

Preferably, the inner member 3 spans between the outer member 2 and the laminate 5. The inner member 3 is formed of a relative stiffness material such as polypropylene. As such, the inner member 3 forms a load-bearing member which acts to keep the laminate 5 and outer member 2 spaced apart as the cartridge 1 is compressed. It is preferred that the cartridge 1 is subjected to a compressive load of between 130 and 280 N in use, the load being applied by the beverage production machine into which the cartridge is inserted. However, with some cartridge and machine devices a force lower than greater than 50 N may be used. The compressive force acts to secure the cartridge to internal pressurization and also serves to pressurize the inner member 3 and the outer member. 3 together. This ensures that the internal dimensions of the passageways and the openings in the cartridge 1 are fixed and unable to change when the cartridge 1 is pressurized.

To use the cartridge 1, it is first inserted into a beverage production machine and the inlet 121 and outlet 122 are opened by member punch beverage production machines that perforate and deflect the laminate 5. An aqueous center, typically water, enters the cartridge under pressure. 1 through inlet 121 into inlet chamber 26 at a pressure between 0.1-2.0 bar. From there, the water is directed to flow through the slots 30 and around the distribution channel 16 and into the filter chamber 130 of the cartridge 1 through a plurality of slots 17. Water is forced radially inward through the filter chamber 130 and mixed with the beverage ingredients 200 contained therein. The water is pumped upwards through the beverage ingredients at the same time. The beverage formed by the passage of the water through the beverage ingredients passes through the filter 4 and filter openings 55 into channels 57 lying above the annular frame 41. Sealing the filter 4 on the arms 53 and welding the rim 51 of the outer member 2 ensures that there is no leakage and that all the drink must pass through. filter 4.

The beverage then flows downward along radial channels 57 formed between the ribs 54 and through the openings 56 and into the cylindrical funnel 40. The beverage passes along the channels 50 between the support ribs 47 and down the discharge pipe 43 to the outlet 44 where the beverage is drained into a receptacle such as cup.

Preferably, the beverage production machine comprises an air purge device in which this air pressure is forced through the cartridge 1 at the end of the operating cycle to flush the remaining beverage into the tank.

The second version of the cartridge 1 is shown in Figures 12 to 18. The second version of the cartridge 1 is particularly intended for use in espresso dispensing type products such as roast and ground coffee, where it is desirable to produce a drink having a froth of tiny bubbles known as cream. Many of the features of the second version of the cartridge 1 are the same as the first version and like reference numerals have been used to refer to like features. In the following description,

The differences between the first and second variants will be discussed. Common features that function in the same way will not be discussed in detail.

The outer member 2 is of the same design as the first version of the cartridge 1 and as shown in Figures 1 to 6.

The annular frame 41 of the inner member 3 is the same as in the first variant. Also, the filter 4 is placed on the annular frame 41 so as to cover the filter openings 55. The outer tube 42 of the cylindrical funnel 40 is also as before. However, there are many differences in the design of the inner member 2 of the second variant compared to the first variant. As shown in Fig. 16, the spout 43 is provided with a baffle 65 that extends a portion of the distance above the spout 43 of the outlet 44. The baffle 65 helps to protect the drink from splashing and / or squirting as it exits the spout 43. Outline spout 43 is also different and includes a stepped contour with a distinct kink 66 near the top end of spout 43.

The rim 67 is shaped upwardly from an annular flange 47 connecting the outer tube 42 to the runner 43. The rim 67 surrounds the inlet 45 to the runner 43 and defines an annular channel 69 between the rim 67 and the top of the outer tube 42. The rim 67 is provided with into an inward shoulder 68. At one point around the periphery of rim 67, the opening 70 is shaped like a slot that extends from the edge of the upper rim 67 to a point just below the level of shoulder 68, as most clearly shown in Figures 12 and 13. The gap is wide. 0.64 mm.

The air inlet 71 is provided with an annular flange 47 circumferentially in line with the opening 70 as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The air inlet 71 comprises an opening through the flange 47 so as to establish a connection between a point above the flange 47 and a void below the flange. 47 between outer tube 42 and launder 43. Preferably and as shown, air inlet 71 comprises a frustoconical top 73 and a cylindrical bottom 72. Air inlet 71 is typically formed by a forming tool such as a pin. The tapered contour of the air inlet 71 allows the molding tool to be removed more easily from the formed component. The wall of the outer tube 42 near the air inlet 71 is formed to form a chute 75 leading from the air inlet 71 to the inlet 45 of the launder 43. As shown in Fig. 17, an oblique shoulder 74 is formed between the air inlet 71 and the chute 75 to provide a chute. so that the beverage stream flowing from the slit 70 does not fall directly onto the upper surface of the collar 47 in the immediate vicinity of the air inlet 71.

As in the first variant, the inner member 3 acts as a load-bearing member. The assembly procedure of the second version of cartridge 1 is similar to the assembly of the first version. However, there are some differences. As shown in Figure 18, the third portion 21 of the cylindrical extension 18 is seated within the support rim 67 rather than against the support web. A shoulder 32 of the cylindrical extension 19 between the second portion 20 and the third portion 21 carries on the edge of the upper abutment flange 67 of the inner member 3. A contact zone 124 is thus formed between the inner member 3 and the outer member 2 including a face seal between the cylindrical extension 18 and the abutment flange 67, which extends about almost the entire circumference of the cartridge 1. The seal between the cylindrical extension 18 and the thrust flange 67 is not fluid tight because the gap 70 in the thrust flange 67 extends through the thrust flange 67 and down to a point just below shoulder 68. Consequently, the connection abutting between the cylindrical extension 18 and the thrust orifice 67 converts the slot 70 into an opening 128 as most clearly shown in Fig. 18, providing a gaseous and liquid connection between the annular channel 69 and the launder 43. The opening is typically 0.64 mm wide at 0. 69 mm long.

Operation of the second version of cartridge 1 for dispensing a beverage is similar to that of the first version but with some differences. The beverage in radial channels 57 flows downward along the channels 57 formed between the ribs 54 and through the openings 56 and into the annular channel 69 of the cylindrical funnel 40. From the annular channel 69 the beverage is pressed under pressure through the opening 128 through the back pressure of the drink collected in the filter chamber 130 and The beverage is thus forced through the opening 128 as a stream and into an expansion chamber formed by the upper end of the spout 43. As shown in Fig. 18, the beverage stream passes directly over the air inlet 71. As the beverage enters the spout 43 pressure the stream of drink goes down. As a result, air is drawn into the beverage stream in the form of multiplied air bubbles as air is drawn through the air inlet 71. Stream

The beverage exiting from the opening 128 is directed downward via an outlet 44, where the beverage is drained into a receptacle, such as a cup, where the air bubbles form the desired cream. Thus, the opening 128 and the air inlet 71 together form a steam jet pump that functions to introduce air to the drink. The flow of beverage to the steam jet pump should be kept as gentle as possible to minimize pressure loss. Preferably, the walls of the steam jet pump should be made concave in order to reduce the friction losses associated with the "wall effect". The dimensional tolerance of the opening 128 is small. Preferably the aperture size is fixed plus or minus 0.02 mm ^2. The hairs, fibers or other surface irregularities may be provided inside or at the exit of the steam jet pump to increase the effective cross-sectional area that has been set up to increase the rate of air entrainment.

A third version of the cartridge 1 will now be described for reference purposes and is shown in Figures 19 to 29. The third version of the cartridge 1 is particularly intended for use in dissolvable dispensing products which may be powdered, liquid, syrup, gel or the like. The soluble product is dissolved by, or suspended in, an aqueous medium such as water as the aqueous medium passes through cartridge 1 in use. Examples of beverages include chocolate, coffee, milk, tea, soup, or other hydratable or water-soluble material. products. Many of the features of the third version of the cartridge 1 are the same as in the earlier variants and like reference numerals have been used to refer to like features. In the following description, the differences between the third and the earlier variants will be discussed. Common features that function in the same way will not be discussed in detail.

Compared to the outer member 2 of the earlier variants, the inwardly facing recess of the cylindrical extension 18 of the outer member 2 of the third variant has a larger overall diameter as shown in Fig. 20. In particular, the diameter of the first portion 19 is typically between 16 and 18 mm compared to 13. , 2 mm for the outer section of the 2 earlier variants. Moreover, the first portion 19 is provided with a convex outer surface 19a, or a bulge, as clearly shown in Fig. 20, the function of which will be described below. The diameter of the third portions 21 of the cartridge 1 is however the same as a result of the shoulder area 32 larger in this third version of the cartridge 1. Typically the volume of the cartridge 1 after assembly is 32.5 ml ± 20%.

The number and location of the slots at the lower end of the annular wall 13 also varies. Slots are provided between 3 and 5. In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 23, four slots 36 are provided and evenly spaced around the circumference of the distribution channel 16. The slots 36 are slightly wider than in the earlier variants of the cartridge 1 between 0.35 and 0.45 mm, preferably 0.4 mm. mm in width.

In other respects, the outer members 2 of the cartridge 1 are the same.

The construction of the hopper 40 of the inner member 3 is the same as the first version of the cartridge 1 with the outer tube 42, launder 45, annular flange 47 and support ribs 49 provided. The only difference is that the runner 45 is formed with an upper portion 92 frusto-cone-shaped and with a cylindrical lower portion 93.

In contrast to the previous variants and as shown in Figures 24 to 28, the annular frame 41 is replaced by a skirt portion 80 which surrounds the cylindrical funnel 40 and is connected thereto by eight radial struts 67 which connect the cylindrical funnel 40 at or in the proximal to annular flange 47. A cylindrical extension 81 of skirt portion 80 extends upwardly from struts 87 to define a chamber 90 with an open top surface. The upper rim 91 of cylindrical extension 81 has a curved profile as shown in Fig. 26. An annular wall 82 of skirt portion 80 extends downwardly from struts 87 to define an annular channel 86 between the skirt portion 80 and outer tube 42.

The annular wall 82 includes at its lower end an outer flange 83 that lies perpendicular to the major axis X. The rim 84 extends downward from the lower surface of the flange 83 and includes five openings 85 that are circumferentially evenly spaced around rim 84. Thus, rim 84 is equipped with a serrated lower profile.

Openings 89 are provided between the struts 87 allowing connection between the chamber 90 and the annular channel 86.

As in the first embodiment, the inner member 3 acts as a load-bearing member.

The assembly procedure for the third version of cartridge 1 is similar to the assembly of the first version but with some differences. The outer member 2 and the inner member 3 are press fit together

As shown in Fig. 29, and remain in a mutual-relative position by the snap-fit device instead of a welded connection. When the two members are joined, the inwardly directed cylindrical extension 18 is received inwardly of the upper cylindrical extension 81 of the skirt portion 80. The inner member 3 is retained in the outer member 2 by frictionally engaging the convex outer surface 19a of the first portion 19 of the cylindrical extension 18 with the bent rim. 91 of the upper cylindrical extension 81. Defined with the inner member 3 disposed in the outer member 2 is a mixing chamber 134 located outside the shell portion 80. The mixing chamber 134 contains beverage ingredients 200 prior to dispensing. It should be noted that the four inlets 36 and the five openings 85 are staggered circumferentially with respect to each other. The radial alignment of the two parts with respect to each other need not be defined or fixed during assembly since the provision of four inlets 36 and five openings 85 ensures that misalignment occurs between the inlets and the openings with any relative rotational orientation of the components.

Other number of inlet and outlet openings can be provided according to the formula:

X0 = Xi + c where

Xi = number of inlet holes

X0 = number of outlets

C = set of positive or negative integers not including c 0 or nXi n = any integer.

Alternatively, the same number of inlet and outlet openings may be provided unequally spaced around the cartridge to ensure that the inlets and outlets are not aligned.

One or more beverage ingredients are packaged into the mixing chamber 134 of the cartridge. The packing density of the beverage ingredients in the mixing chamber 134 can be varied as desired.

The laminate 5 is then attached to the outer member 2 and the inner member 3 in the same way as described above in the earlier variants.

In use, water enters mixing chamber 134 through the four slots 36 in the same manner as in earlier cartridge variants. The water is pumped radially inward through the mixing chamber and mixed with the beverage ingredients contained therein. The product is dissolved or mixed in the water to form a drink in the mixing chamber 134 and is then driven through the openings 85 into the annular channel 86 by the back pressure of the drink and water in the mixing chamber 134. The circumferential staggering of the four inlet slots 36 and the tension of the openings 85 ensures that the water jets cannot pass radially directly from the inlet slots 36 into the openings 85 without first encircling the interior of the mixing chamber 134. In this way, the degree and consistency of dissolving or mixing the product is greatly increased. The beverage is forced upward into the annular passage 86 through the openings 89 between the struts 87 and into the chamber 90. The beverage passes from the chamber 90 through the inlets 45 between the support ribs 49 to the spout 43 and towards the outlet 44 where the beverage is drained into a receptacle such as a cup. The cartridge finds particular use with beverage ingredients in the form of viscous liquids or gels. In one application, the liquid chocolate component is contained in the cartridge 1 with a viscosity between 1700 and 3900 mPa at ambient temperature and between 5000 and 10,000 mPa at 0 ° C and refractive extract components of 67 Brix ± 3. In a further application, the liquid coffee is contained in the cartridge 1 with a viscosity between 70 and 2000 mPa at ambient conditions and between 80 and 5000 mPa at 0 ° C, wherein the coffee has a total extractable level of between 40 and 70%. The liquid coffee component may contain between 0.1 and 2.0% by weight of sodium bicarbonate, preferably between 0.5 and 1.0% by weight. Sodium bicarbonate works to maintain the pH level of the coffee at or below 4.8 allowing the shelf life of cartridges filled with coffee for up to 12 months.

A fourth version of the cartridge 1 is shown in Figures 30 to 34. The fourth version of the cartridge 1 is particularly intended for use in dispensing liquid products such as condensed liquid milk. Many of the features of the fourth version of the cartridge 1 are the same as in the earlier variants and like reference numerals have been used to refer to like features. In the following description, the differences between the fourth and the earlier variants will be discussed. Common features that function in the same way will not be discussed in detail.

The outer member 2 is the same as the third version of the cartridge 1 and as shown in Figures 19 to 23.

PL 205 052 B1

The cylindrical funnel 40 of the inner member 3 is similar to that shown in the second version of the cartridge 1 but with some differences. As shown in Fig. 30, spout 43 is formed with a frusto-conical upper portion 106 and a lower cylindrical portion 107. Three axial ribs 105 are provided on the inner surface of spout 43 to direct dispensed beverage down towards the outlet 44 and for securing the drained drink against spinning inside the gutter. As a result, the ribs 105 function as guide steps. As in the second version of cartridge 1, the air inlet 71 is provided through the annular flange 47. However, the chute 75 below the air inlet 71 is more elongated than in the second version.

A skirt portion 80 is provided similar to that shown in the third version of the cartridge 1 described above. Between 5 and 12, holes 85 are provided in rim 84. Typically ten holes are provided instead of five as in the third version of cartridge 1.

The annular bowl 100 is provided extending and integral with the collar 83 of the skirt portion 80. The annular bowl 100 includes a widened body 101 with an open upper mouth 104 that faces upward. The four feed openings 103 shown in Figures 30 and 31 are located in the body 101 at or near the lower end of the bowl 100 where it engages the shell portion 80. Preferably, the feed openings are evenly spaced around the circumference of the bowl 100. The bowl 100 engages with the shell portion 80. cover 80 in position on the upper portion of its length such that a discontinuous gap is provided between the bowl 100 and the laminate 5 as the cartridge is assembled. Thus, the openings 85 are located below the level of the bowl 100. As can be seen in Fig. 34, when the cartridge 1 is assembled and filled, the bowl 100 contains a proportion of the liquid beverage ingredients, effectively dividing this proportion of the beverage ingredients from the openings 85.

As in the first embodiment, the inner member 3 acts as a load-bearing member.

The laminate 5 is of the type described above in the previous embodiments.

The assembly procedure for the fourth version of cartridge 1 is the same as that for the third version.

The operation of the fourth version of cartridge is similar to that of the third version. Water enters the cartridge 1 and mixing chamber 134 in the same manner as before. There the water mixes and dilutes the liquid product, which is then forced out below the bowl 100 and through the openings 85 towards the outlet 44 as described above. The proportion of the liquid product initially contained within the annular bowl 100, as shown in Figure 34, is not immediately diluted by the water entering mixing chamber 134. Rather, the diluted liquid product in the bottom of mixing chamber 134 will tend to exit through the openings 95 instead of be pumped upwards and into the annular bowl 100 through the upper throat 104. As a result, liquid product in the annular bowl 100 will remain relatively concentrated during the initial stages of the operating cycle compared to the product in the lower portion of mixing chamber 134. Liquid product in the annular bowl 100 drips through feed openings 103 under the influence of gravity into the product stream present in mixing chamber 134 through openings 85 and below bowl 100. The annular bowl 100 functions to equalize the concentration of dilute liquid product entering cylindrical funnel 40 by maintaining back the concentrated ratio ci liquid product and releasing it into the exiting liquid stream path steadily during the operating dispensing cycle as illustrated in Fig. 35a, where the milk concentration measured as a percentage of total solids present is shown during an operating cycle of approximately 15 seconds. Line a illustrates the concentration graph in cup 100 while line b illustrates a cartridge without bowl 100. As you can observe the concentration graph in cup 100 is larger even during the working cycle and there is no sudden huge drop in concentration as occurs without the bowl 100. The initial milk concentration is typically 30-35% SS and at the end of the cycle 10% SS. This results in a dilution ratio of about 3 to 1, although dilution ratios of between 1 to 1 and 6 to 1 are possible with the present invention. For other liquid beverage ingredients, the concentrations may vary. For example, for liquid chocolate the starting concentration is approximately 67% SS and at the end of the cycle 12-15% SS. This results in a dilution ratio (ratio of the aqueous medium to the beverage ingredient in the dispensed beverage) of about 5 to 1, although dilution ratios of between 2 to 1 and 10 to 1 are possible with the present invention. For liquid coffee, the initial concentration is between 40-67% and the concentration at the end of the dispensing is 1-2% SS. This results in a dilution ratio of between 20 to 1 and 70 to 1, although dilution ratios of between 10 to 1 and 100 to 1 are possible with the present invention.

PL 205 052 B1

From the annular channel 86, the beverage is forced under pressure through opening 128 through the back pressure of the beverage accumulating in the filtering chamber 134 and chamber 90. The beverage is thus forced through opening 128 as a stream, and into an expansion chamber formed at the upper end of spout 43. shown in Fig. 34, the beverage stream passes directly over the air inlet 71. As the beverage enters the spout 43 the pressure of the beverage stream drops. As a result, air is entrained into the beverage stream in the form of multiplied tiny air bubbles as air is drawn in through the air inlet 71. The beverage stream emerging from opening 128 is directed downwardly via an outlet 44 where the beverage is drained into a receptacle such as a cup. where the air bubbles create the desired foamy structure.

Advantageously, the inner member 3, outer member 2, laminate 5 and filter 4 can all be easily sterilized thanks to components that are separable from each other and do not contain separate serpentine flow channels or narrow gaps. Rather, it is only after the components have been brought together, after sterilization, that these necessary flow channels are created. This is especially true when the beverage ingredient is a dairy based product such as liquid milk concentrate.

The fourth version of the beverage cartridge is particularly advantageous for dispensing concentrated dairy-based products such as liquid milk. Previously, powdered milk products were provided in the form of sachets for addition to a pre-made beverage. However, in the case of a cappuccino type beverage produced, it is necessary to foam the milk. This has previously been achieved by passing steam through the liquid milk product. However, this requires a steam supply which adds cost and complexity to the beverage dispensing machine. The use of steam also increases the risk of damage during operation of the cartridge. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a beverage cartridge having a dairy-based liquid concentrated product contained therein. It has been found that by condensing a milk product, more foam can be produced for a given volume of milk compared to fresh or UHT milk. This reduces the size required for the milk cartridge. Fresh skim milk contains approximately 1.6% fat and 10% total solids. The concentrated liquid milk products according to the present invention contain between 0.1 and 12% fat and 25 to 40% solids. In a typical example, the product contains 4% fat and 30% solids. The concentrated milk products are suitable for frothing using a low pressure generation machine as will be described below. In particular, frothing of the milk is achieved at pressures below 2 bar, preferably approximately 1.5 bar, using the cartridge of the fourth embodiment described above.

Frothing of concentrated milk is especially beneficial for beverages such as capuccino drinks and milk shakes. Advantageously, passing the milk through the opening 128 and over the air inlet 71 and optionally using the bowl 100 allows for frothing levels greater than 40%, preferably greater than 70% for the milk. Foaming levels greater than 70% are possible for liquid chocolate. Foaming levels greater than 70% are possible for liquid coffee. The foamability is measured as the ratio of the volume of foam produced to the volume of liquid beverage ingredient dispensed. For example, when 138.3ml of a beverage is dispensed with 58.3ml of foam froth, the foamability is measured as [58.3 / (138.3-58.3)] 1 * 100 = 72.9%. The foaming of the milk (and other liquid ingredients) is enhanced by the provision of the bowl 100 as can be seen in Fig. 35b. The foaming of the milk dispensed in the provided bowl 100 (line a) is greater than that in the milk dispensed without the bowl provided (line b). This is because the frothing of the milk correlates positively with the concentration of the milk and, as shown in Fig. 35a, the bowl 100 maintains a higher concentration of the milk for most of the operating cycle. It is also known that the foaming of milk is positively correlated with the temperature of the aqueous medium as shown in Fig. 35c. Thus, the presence of the bowl 100 is beneficial as more milk remains in the cartridge up to the end of the operating cycle where the watery medium is hottest. This increases the foaming again.

The cartridge, according to the fourth embodiment, is also advantageous in dispensing liquid coffee products.

It has been found that beverage cartridge embodiments according to the present invention advantageously provide an improved consistency of a brewed beverage compared to prior art cartridges. Referring to Table 1 below which shows the brewing efficiency results for twenty samples of each of the A and B cartridges containing both roast and ground coffee. Cartridge A is a beverage cartridge according to the first embodiment according to the present invention. Cartridge B is a prior art beverage cartridge as described in applicant WO 01/58786. Poor factor 20

The maturation of the brewed beverage is measured in Brix units and converted into percentages of soluble solids (% SS) using standard tables and formulas. In the examples below:

% SS = 0.7774 * (Brix value) + 0.0569% yield = (% SS * Brewing Volume (g)) / (100 * Coffee Weight (g))

T a b e la 1 CART A

A sample Brewing Volume (g) The weight of the coffee (g) Brix SS (*) % Performance % 1 105.6 6.5 1.58 1.29 20.88 2 104.24 6.5 1.64 1.33 21.36 3 100.95 6.5 1.67 1.36 21.05 4 102.23 8.5 1.71 1.39 21.80 5 100.49 9.5 1.73 1.40 21.67 6 107.54 6.5 1.59 1.29 21.39 7 102.70 6.5 1.67 1.36 21.41 8 97.77 6.5 1.86 1.50 22.61 9 97.82 6.5 1.7 1.38 20.75 10 97.83 6.5 1.67 1.36 20.40 11 97.6 8.5 1.78 1.44 21.63 12 106.64 6.5 1.61 1.31 21.47 13 99.26 6.5 1.54 1.25 18.15 14 97.2S 6.5 1.59 1.29 19.35 15 101.54 6.5 1.51 1.23 19.23 16 104.23 6.5 1.61 1.31 20.98 17 97.5 6.5 1.73 1.40 21.03 18 100.83 6.5 1.68 1.36 21.14 19 101.67 6.5 1.67 1.36 21.20 twenty 101.32 6.5 1.68 1.36 21.24 Average 20.99

CARTRIDGE B

A sample Brewing Volume (g) The weight of the coffee (g) Brix SS (*) % Performance % 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 100.69 6.5 1.87 1.511 23.39 2 95.89 8.5 1.86 1.503 22.16 3 98.4 6.5 1.8 1.456 22.04 4 92.43 6.5 2.3 1,845 26.23 5 100.26 6.5 1.72 1.394 21.50 6 90.05 6.5 2.05 1.651 24.90 7 99.49 6.5 1.95 1.561 24.19 8 95.62 6.5 2.1 1,845 27.14

PL 205 052 B1 cont. Table 1B

1 2 3 4 5 6 9 94.28 6.5 2,171 1.744 25.29 10 96.13 6.5 1.72 1.394 20.62 11 96.66 6.5 1.81 1.464 21.62 12 94.03 6.5 2.2 1.767 25.56 13 96.28 6.5 1.76 1.441 21.34 14 95.85 6.5 1.95 1.573 23.19 15 95.38 6.5 1.88 1.518 22.28 16 92.73 6.5 1.89 1.526 21.77 17 88 6.5 1.59 1.293 17.50 18 93.5 6.5 2.08 1.674 24.08 10 100.88 6.6 1.75 1.417 22.00 twenty 84.77 6.6 2.37 1,850 24.77 Average 23.09

Performing the t-test of statistical analysis on the above data, we get the following results:

T a b e l a 2 t-Test: Variations of the Equal Probability of Accepted Two-Samples

Performance % (Cartridge A) Performance % (Cartridge B) Average 20.99 23.09 Variance 0.77 5.04 Number of Samples twenty twenty Summary Variance 2.90 - Hypothetical Mean Difference 0 - Df 38 - T Stat -3.90 - P (T <= t) one-tall 0.000188 - T Critical one-tall 1, 686 - P (T <= t) two-tall 0.000376 - T Critical two-tall 2.0244 - Standard deviation 0.876 2.245

The analysis shows that the% yield consistency, equal to the brewing power, for the cartridges of the present invention is significantly better (at 95% confidence level) than for the prior art cartridges, with a standard deviation of 0.88% compared to 2.24 %. This means that the beverages brewed with the cartridges of the present invention have a more reproducible and uniform strength. This is preferred by consumers who like to taste their drinks again after a while and do not want arbitrary variations in brew strength.

While the first and second variants of cartridge have been described as being collapsed by a welding operation, they may very well be collapsed with the snap device according to the present invention. For example, the outer member 2 could be provided with a formation that cooperates with the periphery of the annular frame 41 to form a snap fit.

PL 205 052 B1

The materials of the cartridges described above may be provided with a barrier coating to increase their resistance to oxygen and / or moisture and / or other ingress. The barrier coating may also increase the resistance to leakage of the beverage ingredients from within the cartridge and / or reduce the rate of leaching of extractive components from the materials of the cartridge that could adversely affect the beverage ingredients. The barrier coating may be a material selected from the group of PET, Polyamide, EVOH, PVDC or a metallized material. The barrier coating can be applied by a variety of mechanisms including, but not limited to, steam deposition, vacuum deposition, plasma coating, extrusion co-extrusion, in-mold labeling, and two / multi-step molding.

Claims (118)

Patent claims A beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials, has an inlet (121) for introducing an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet (122) for draining a beverage made from one or more of the more beverage ingredients and further consisting of an outer member (2) and an inner member (3) joined during assembly, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a launder (43) defining an outlet of the cartridge. 2. A cartridge according to claim 1 The method of claim 1, characterized in that the launder (43) is integral with the inner member (3). 3. A cartridge according to claim 1 The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the launder (43) comprises a conical portion (45; 92). 4. A cartridge according to claim 1 The spout as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the launder (43) comprises a cylindrical portion (58; 93). 5. Cartridge according to claim The launder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the launder (43) comprises a partition (65) extending at least a part of the length of the launder (43). 6. A cartridge according to claim 1 A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) are connected by a snap-in device. 7. A cartridge according to claim 1 6. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the latching device comprises a portion (19) on the inner member (3) and a portion (91) on the outer member (2) cooperating with each other. 8. A cartridge according to claim 1 A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the outer member (2) comprises a closed end (11) and an open end (12), whereby when the inner member (3) connects to the outer member (2), the outlet (44) of the launder (43) points towards the open second end (12) of the outer member (2). 9. A cartridge according to claim The apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that the inlet (121) is directed towards the open end (12) of the outer member (2). 10. A cartridge according to claim 1 The method of claim 8, characterized in that the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) are connected at or near the closed end (11) of the outer member (2). 11. A cartridge according to claim 1. The method of claim 8, characterized in that the outer member (2) comprises an inwardly directed cylindrical extension (18) which is provided at the proximal end of the launder (43) at the connection of the outer member (2) and the inner member (3). 12. A cartridge according to claim 1 6. The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises an annular frame (41) having a filter (4) disposed thereon. 13. A cartridge according to claim 1 The process of claim 12, characterized in that at least one channel (57) is formed between the frame (41) and the closed end (11) of the outer member (2) at the connection of the inner member (3) and the outer member (2). 14. A cartridge according to claim 1 The process of claim 13, characterized in that the at least one channel (57) is delimited by ribs (54) extending upwardly from the frame (41) to the closed end (11) of the outer member (2). 15. A cartridge according to claim 1 The method of claim 13, characterized in that the at least one channel (57) slopes downwards towards the launder (43). 16. A cartridge according to claim 1 6. The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a skirt (80) surrounding the launder (43). 17. A cartridge according to claim 1 16. The apparatus of claim 16, characterized in that the cover (80) comprises an upper extension (81) which, when the cartridge is assembled, contacts the closed end (11) of the outer member (2). PL 205 052 B1 18. A cartridge according to claim 1 A device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the upper edge (91) of the upper extension (81) engages a mating portion (18, 19) of the outer member (2) to form a latch device for connecting the inner member (3) to the outer member (2). 19. A cartridge according to claim 1 18. The device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the mating portion (18, 19) of the outer member (2) is directed towards the inside of the cylindrical extension (18). 20. A cartridge according to claim 1 The device of claim 1, characterized in that it is disc-shaped. 21. A cartridge according to claim 1 A beverage stream as claimed in claim 1, which means comprises a slot (70) located in the beverage flow path between the inlet (121) and the outlet (122). 22. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the inlet (121) and / or the outlet (122) are covered with a substantially air- and water-impermeable material prior to forming, in use, the inlet (121) and / or the outlet (122) of the cartridge (1). 23. A cartridge according to claim 1 The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet (121) and / or the outlet (122) are covered by a substantially air- and water-impermeable laminate (5). 24. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 23. The laminate (5) is polypropylene. 25. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of polypropylene. 26. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 The method of claim 1, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of a biodegradable polymer. 27. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; The method of claim 1, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed by injection molding. 28. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 The method of claim 1, characterized in that the inner member (3) is a load-bearing member. 29. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 The process of claim 1, wherein the percentage of beverage yield made from one or more beverage ingredients contained in the cartridge (1) is within 1.0 standard deviations. 30. A beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials has an inlet (121) for introducing an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet (122) for the beverage made from one or more more beverage ingredients and further consisting of an outer member (2) and an inner member (3) inserted into the outer member (2) and the assembly for producing a beverage stream comprising a slot (128) located in the beverage flow path connecting the inlet (121) to the inlet (121) an outlet (122), characterized in that the slot (128) is delimited by an intermediate surface between the inner member (3) and the outer member (2). 31. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 30, characterized in that one of the inner member (3) and the outer member (2) comprises an opening (70) and the other one of the inner member (3) or outer member (2) comprises a dam (18), and when the member is inserted the inner member (3) into the outer member (2), the opening (70) is partially covered by a dam (18) delimiting the gap (128). 32. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 31, characterized in that the opening (70) is an elongated slot. 33. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; The method of claim 32, characterized in that the elongated slot (70) is contained in the inner member (3). 34. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 33, characterized in that the outer member (2) comprises a dam (18). 35. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 34, characterized in that the dam (18) comprises an extension of the outer member (2) at least part of which extends into the inner member (3). 36. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; The method of claim 33, characterized in that the elongate slot (70) is formed in the cylindrical wall (67) of the inner member (3). 37. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 36, characterized in that the elongate slit (70) extends to the upper edge of the cylindrical wall (67). 38. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 36, characterized in that a cylindrical extension (18) of the outer member (2) is disposed inside the cylindrical wall (67) of the inner member (3) which forms a sliding connection inside the cylindrical wall (67). 39. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 30, characterized in that the slot (128) has a cross-sectional area of 0.4 to 0.7 mm ^2. 40. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 The apparatus of claim 30, characterized in that it comprises at least one air inlet (71) and means for generating a pressure reduction of the beverage stream. PL 205 052 B1 41. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 40, characterized in that the at least one air inlet (71) is positioned in the inner member (3) downstream of the aperture (128). 42. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 40 or 41, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a launder (43) defining an outlet (122). 43. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 42, characterized in that the beverage flow path leads from the slot (128) to the launder (43). 44. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 43, characterized in that the slot mouth (128) is located above the surface of the launder (43) next to the mouth (122). 45. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 44, characterized in that the surface of the launder (43) is the concave wall of the launder (43). 46. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 45, characterized in that the concave wall is positioned on the opposite side of the launder (43) to the slot (128). 47. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the slot (128) is oriented to direct the beverage flow at an angle substantially perpendicular to the beverage flow from the outlet (122). 48. A cartridge as defined in claim 1; 42, characterized in that the launder (43) is integral with the inner member (3). 49. 30, characterized in that the cartridge is disc-shaped. 50. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 30, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of polypropylene. 51. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 The method of claim 30, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of a biodegradable polymer. 52. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 30, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed by injection molding. 53. A beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials having a chamber (130,134) for containing one or more beverage ingredients that includes a plurality of inlet openings (36) for introduction. a water medium into the chamber (130,134) and a plurality of outlets (85) for a beverage made from one or more beverage ingredients, at least some of the inlet openings (36) being offset from the outlets (85), and at least the portion of the aqueous medium entering the chamber (130, 134) through the inlet openings (36) is forced to circulate inside the chamber (130, 134) before exiting the chamber (130, 134) through the outlets (85), characterized in that the inlet openings (36) ) are distributed around the periphery of the chamber (130, 134). 54. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that the inlet openings (36) are evenly spaced around the periphery of the chamber (130, 134). 55. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that the outlet openings (85) are located closer to the center of the chamber (130, 134) with respect to the inlet openings (36). 56. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 55, characterized in that the outlet openings (85) are evenly spaced about the center of the chamber (130, 134). 57. A cartridge (1) as claimed in claim 5 53, characterized in that it comprises from 3 to 10 inlet openings (36). 58. A cartridge (1) as claimed in claim 1 57, characterized in that it comprises 4 inlet openings (36). 59. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 5 53, characterized in that it comprises 3 to 10 outlet openings (85). 60. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 59, characterized in that it comprises 5 outlet openings (85). 61. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that it comprises an unequal number of inlet openings (36) and outlet openings (85). 62. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that the number of inlet openings (36) and outlet openings (85) is given by the formula: X0 = Xi + C where Xi = number of inlet holes X0 = number of outlets C = set of positive or negative integers excluding 0 or nXi n = any integer. 63. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that it comprises equal numbers of inlet openings (36) and outlet openings (85). PL 205 052 B1 64. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that the inlet openings (36) are provided in the outer member (2) of the cartridge (1) and the outlet openings (85) are provided in the inner member (3) of the cartridge (1). 65. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 64, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a launder (43) connected to the outlet openings (85). 66. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 53, characterized in that it is disc-shaped. 67. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 66, characterized in that the flow path of the aqueous medium from the inlet openings (36) to the chamber (130, 134) is arranged radially inward towards the center of the cartridge (1). 68. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 The process of claim 53, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients (200) are soluble in the aqueous medium. 69. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 68, characterized in that the one or more beverage ingredients (200) is a liquid chocolate or coffee ingredient. 70. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 15. The process of claim 53, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients (200) is a concentrated liquid or gel. 71. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 15. The process of claim 53, characterized in that the liquid beverage ingredient (200) has a viscosity at ambient temperature between 70 and 3900 mPa. 72. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 The process of claim 71, characterized in that the liquid beverage ingredient (200) has a viscosity at ambient temperature between 1700 and 3900 mPa. 73. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 72, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of polypropylene. 74. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 73, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) is formed by injection molding. 75. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 The process according to claim 53, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of a biodegradable polymer. 76. A beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials and including an outer member (2) defining a chamber (130, 134) in which one or more ingredients are stored. of beverage and an inner member (3) having a spout (43) defining an outlet (122) for the discharge of a beverage made from one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that the inner member (3) is a load-bearing member. 77. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 76, characterized in that the inner member (3) and the outer member (2) are separate components which are connected to each other when the cartridge (1) is assembled. 78. 76, characterized in that it comprises a filter (4) connected to the inner member (3). 79. A cartridge (s) as defined in claim 7 76, characterized in that the inner member (3) is a load-bearing member with a stiffness such as to transmit a compressive load greater than 130N through the cartridge (1). 80. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 The method of claim 79, wherein the load transmitting member has a stiffness to transmit a compressive force greater than 200 N. 81. A cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the load transmitting member has a stiffness such that the load transmitting member carries a compressive force greater than 130N. 82. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 76, characterized in that the inner member (3) is formed of polypropylene. 83. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 76, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or inner member (3) are formed of a biodegradable polymer. 84. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 76, characterized in that the inner member (3) and the launder (43) are formed as one piece. 85. A beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed of substantially air and water impermeable materials having a housing having a closed end (11) and an open end (12) that defines a chamber (130,134). wherein one or more beverage ingredients are stored, the open second end of the housing is sealed by the lid, characterized in that it comprises a load bearing member extending between the closed end (11) of the housing and the lid, the load bearing member being located at or near the center of the cartridge (1). PL 205 052 B1 86. A cartridge according to claim 85, characterized in that the load bearing member comprises a launder (43) defining an outlet (122) for the discharge of a beverage formed from one or more beverage ingredients. 87. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 85 or 86, characterized in that the load-transmitting member has a stiffness such that the cartridge (1) carries a compressive load greater than 130 N. 88. A cartridge according to claim 87, characterized in that the load-bearing member has a stiffness that allows the cartridge (1) to transmit a compressive force greater than 200 N. 89. A cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9. The method of claim 85, wherein the load transmitting member is rigid to transmit a compressive force greater than 130N therethrough. 90. A beverage production cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials and including an outer member (2) defining a chamber (130, 134) in which one or more ingredients are stored. a beverage, an inner member (3) having a spout (43) forming an outlet (122) for the outflow of a beverage formed from one or more beverage ingredients, and a filter (4) disposed between the plenum (130, 134) and the spout (43), characterized by that the inner member (3) and the filter (4) are connected together with the outer member (2) by at least one weld. 91. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 90, characterized in that the outer member (2) has an open end (12) for access to the chamber (130,134), the inner member (93) and the filter (4) being joined together with the outer member (2). with the closed end (11) opposite the open end (12). 92. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 90 or 91, characterized in that the inner member (3), the outer member (2) and the filter (4) are annular. 93. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 92, characterized in that the weld is substantially circular. 94. A cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9. 91 to 93, characterized in that the inner member (3) and the outer member (2) are made of plastics and at least one weld is an ultrasonically formed weld. 95. A cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5. 90, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a frame (41) and at least one weld is formed around the periphery of the frame (41). 96. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 95, characterized in that the frame (41) comprises a plurality of ribs (54) extending upwards from the frame (41) towards the closed end (11) of the outer member (2) to form one or more channels (57) between the frame (41). and the closed end (11) of the outer member (2), and welds are formed between the ribs (57) and the closed end (11) of the outer member (2). 97. A beverage production cartridge comprising one or more beverage ingredients (200) and formed substantially of air and water impermeable materials and including an inlet (121) for introducing a watery agent into the cartridge and an outlet (122) for draining the beverage made from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that it comprises an outer member (3) and an inner member (2) connected to each other, the inner member (3) forming an outlet (122) of the cartridge (1) and the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) are connected by means of a snap-fit device. 98. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 97, characterized in that the latching device comprises mating portions (19, 91) on the inner member (3) and the outer member (2). 99. A cartridge according to claim 97 or 98, characterized in that the outer member (2) has a closed end (11) and an open end (12), the inner member (3) being snap-fitted to the outer member (2) with an outlet (122) of the inner member (3) points towards the open end (12) of the outer member (2). 100. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1; 99, characterized in that the inlet (121) is directed towards the open end (12) of the outer member (2). 101. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 99, characterized in that the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) snap together at or near the closed end (11) of the outer member (2). 102. A cartridge (s) as defined in claim 1 97, characterized in that the snap-fit connection between the inner member (3) and the outer member (2) is a watertight connection. 103. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 97, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a skirt (80) surrounding the outlet (122) and the skirt (80) has an upper extension (81) having an upper edge (91) that engages when the cartridge (1) is assembled. with the mating part (19) of the outer member (2) forming a latch device connecting the inner member (3) with the outer member (2). 104. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 103, characterized in that the mating portion (19) of the outer member (2) is directed towards the inside of the cylindrical extension (81). PL 205 052 B1 105. A cartridge (s) as defined in claim 1 97, characterized in that the inner member (3) comprises a launder (43) defining an outlet (122). 106. A cartridge as defined in claim 1 105, characterized in that the outer member (2) comprises an inwardly directed cylindrical extension (18) which is provided at the upper end of the launder (43) at the connected outer member (2) and inner member (3). 107. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 105 or 106, characterized in that the launder (43) is integral with the inner member (3). 108. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 105, characterized in that the launder (43) comprises a conical portion (45, 106). 109. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 105, characterized in that the launder (43) comprises a cylindrical portion (93, 107). 110. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 105, characterized in that the launder (43) comprises a partition (65) extending over at least a portion of the length of the launder (43). 111. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 97, characterized in that it is disc-shaped. 112. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 97, characterized in that it comprises means for producing the beverage stream, which means include a gap (70) located in the beverage flow path between the inlet (121) and the outlet (122). 113. A cartridge (1) as defined in claim 1 98, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) are formed of polypropylene. 114. A cartridge (s) according to claim 114 97, characterized in that the outer member (2) and / or the inner member (3) is formed by injection molding. 115. A method for producing a cartridge for producing a beverage wherein a cartridge (1) comprising an outer member (2) defining a chamber (130,134) is formed of substantially air and water impermeable materials and contains one or more beverage ingredients (200). ), and the outer member (2) receives an inner member (3) having a spout (43) forming an outlet (122) for the outflow of a drink formed from one or more beverage ingredients (200) and a filter (4) characterized by the inner member (3) and the filter (4) are connected in one step to the outer member (2) by welding. 116. The method of p. 115, characterized in that the welding is performed by ultrasonic welding. 117. The method of p. 115 or 116, characterized in that a first welding line is formed around the periphery of the inner member (3) and the filter (4). 118. The method of claim 1 117, characterized in that a second welding line is formed around the inner member (3) and the filter (4) at or near the launder (43).