Beverage cartridge

Abstract

A cartridge for preparing a beverage and a method of manufacturing the cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a container comprising one or more side walls extending between a lid at one end and a bottom surface at a second opposing end defining an interior space, a pod disposed in the interior space, the pod constructed of a fluid-permeable material for containing a substance from which a beverage can be extracted, and a beverage additive disposed between a surface of the container and the pod for spacing apart the pod from the surface of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for preparing a beverage, the cartridge comprising:
 a container comprising one or more side walls extending between a lid at one end and a bottom surface at a second opposing end defining an interior space;   a pod disposed in the interior space, the pod constructed of a fluid-permeable material for containing a substance from which a beverage can be extracted; and   a beverage additive disposed between a surface of the container and the pod for spacing apart the pod from the surface of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage additive spaces apart the pod from an area of the interior space penetrable by a piercing tool. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage additive comprises a powdered beverage additive substance loosely disposed in the interior space. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage additive comprises a shaped beverage additive substance. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage additive comprises a beverage additive substance held within a second pod. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein the second pod is constructed of a fluid-permeable material. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein the second pod is constructed of a soluble material. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein the second pod is constructed from a fluid-impermeable material piercable by a piercing tool. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 8 , wherein the beverage additive substance comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a cartridge for preparing a beverage, the method comprising:
 providing a beverage additive;   providing a pod for containing a substance from which a beverage can be extracted;   placing the pod adjacent to a surface of the beverage additive; and   forming a container around the beverage additive and the pod, the container comprising one or more side walls extending between a bottom surface and a lid.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising using the beverage additive to space apart the pod from an area of the container penetrable by a piercing tool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing a beverage additive comprises disposing a beverage additive substance loosely between the pod and a surface of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing a beverage additive comprises providing a beverage additive substance held within a second pod.