Method of manufacturing a beverage cartridge

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11207815-B2
Application number	US-201916434149-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 6, 2019
Priority date	Jun 12, 2018
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a cartridge body for use in a cartridge associated with a beverage preparation system includes extruding a tubular structure, forming the tubular structure into a desired shape, and cutting the tubular structure at intervals to separate the tubular structure into individual cartridge bodies.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of manufacturing a cartridge for use in a beverage preparation system comprising:
extruding a tubular structure;
forming a plurality of cartridges from the tubular structure, each cartridge having a frustoconical shape corresponding to a shape for use in a beverage preparation system, each cartridge including a first open end having a flange extending inward toward a center of the cartridge and a second open end having a stepped flanged around a periphery of the cartridge and extending outward from the center of the cartridge;
cutting the plurality of cartridges at intervals to separate the plurality of cartridges into individual cartridges; and
connecting a filter to the first open end of an individual cartridge.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein extruding the tubular structure includes coextruding a composition including a plurality of layers.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of layers includes ethylene vinyl alcohol.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of stacked layers include an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein an adhesive material is positioned between adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the plurality of cartridges further comprises supplying the tubular structure to a corrugator to form the frustoconical shape.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frustoconical shape includes a contour associated with a sidewall of the cartridge.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of cartridges further comprises Ran substantially identical first cartridge and second cartridge, and wherein the first open end of the first cartridge is arranged adjacent to the first open end of the second cartridge.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of cartridges further comprises Ran substantially identical first cartridge and second cartridge, and wherein the first open end of the first cartridge is arranged adjacent to the second open end of the second cartridge.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein cutting the plurality of cartridges at intervals includes supplying the tubular structure to at least one cutting mechanism.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein cutting the plurality of cartridges at intervals further comprises removing excess material to form the individual cartridges.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular structure is continuously output from an extruder and each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges is continuously formed into the frustoconical shape.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method of manufacturing is a continuous process.

14. A method of manufacturing a cartridge for use in a beverage preparation system, the method comprising:
extruding a tubular structure;
forming a cartridge for use in a beverage preparation system, the cartridge having a frustoconical shape and a hollow center, a first open end having a flange extending inward toward the hollow center, a second open end having a stepped flange around a periphery of the cartridge and extending outward from the hollow center, and at least one side wall extending between the first open end and the second open end; and
positioning a flavorant within the hollow center; and
connecting a first filter to the first open end of the cartridge.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein extruding the tubular structure further comprises coextruding a plurality of layered materials.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein forming the cartridge further comprises forming the cartridge to have a circular cross-section.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein forming the cartridge further comprises supplying the tubular structure to a corrugator.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the cartridge is formed from a plurality of integrally formed and adjacent cartridges formed from the tubular structure using the corrugator.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
attaching a second filter to the second open end of the cartridge.

20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising affixing a flexible membrane to at least one of the first open end and the second open end.

Assignees

• Sharkninja Operating Llc

Inventors

• Mathias Richard Rhys
• Stewart Scott James
• Close William Langr

Classifications

• B65D85/8043

  Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents (B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06) · CPC title

• B29C67/0014

  for shaping tubes or blown tubular films · CPC title

• B29C48/09

  Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels · CPC title

• B65B43/00

  Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging (forming pockets in sheets, blanks or webs, by pressing the material into forming dies or moving it through folding dies B65B47/00) · CPC title

• B29C48/13

  Articles with a cross-section varying in the longitudinal direction, e.g. corrugated pipes · CPC title